Anthropology classes ruin you. I am now constantly aware of the societal value of every act a person makes. It’s quite annoying. I find it difficult to think about things without an anthropological perspective getting in the way. For instance, marriage.

Marriage makes me mad. The “institution”—for a lack of better word—causes trouble. Marriage has become a sort of political agenda for many people, or so it seems to me. I wish I could go back to my pre-college state-of-mind, when I still though of marriage as a romantic thing. I suppose the more one learns, the less naïve and simple their opinions become. Now, I only think of how marriage can help a pair financially, or about the obstacles my gay friend and her fiancé have faced to be seen as a couple in the eyes of the law.

A few summers ago, I visited Washington D.C. There were people on the streets of the city rallying for marriage equality. There was a sign that said, “If you fight love, you are always a loser.” That will forever stick in my mind. I won’t write and rant about all of the arguments for or against gay marriage, because I know we have all heard it before. What I will say is this: witnessing these people protesting for marriage equality was beautiful and romantic in an unexpected sort of way.

Later that summer, I went to a gay pride festival. At risk of sounding cliché or corny—there was love everywhere. Couples were holding hands and sharing cotton candy, and they were shameless. It was wonderful to see the support everybody had for each other. The idea that people, both gay and straight, fight for marriage, must mean that it is something special.

I read a quote once, that I think sums up my current opinion on marriage—“Marriage is a great institution, but I am not ready for an institution.”