English Original
When chatting with a colleague, she suddenly asked, "How did your husband propose? Was it romantic?" I was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "My husband is quite pragmatic," I said. "Do you really think his proposal would be romantic?" Despite my words, recalling the moment filled me with sweetness. Truthfully, his proposal was far from conventional—no flowers, diamond ring, or grand surprise. It could hardly even be called a "proposal."
He had given me a book about Ireland, which I now realize was part of a long-term plan. One weekend after I finished reading it, he approached me. "Have you finished the book?" he asked. Seeing my nod, his face lit up, and he said in a soft, joyful voice, "If you like, we can get married the Irish way."
My heart was already captivated by the romantic and sacred Irish marriage tradition described in the book. It explained that Ireland, rooted in Catholicism, once prohibited divorce. Couples could choose a marriage contract lasting from 1 to 100 years. The most striking aspect was the inverse relationship between the contract's duration and its cost. A one-year marriage required a fee of 2,000 pounds and came with a thick manual of rights and responsibilities. In contrast, a 100-year marriage cost only 0.5 pounds and included a brief, deeply moving note:
"I do not know the distinct rights and responsibilities between my left hand and my right, my right leg and my left, my left eye and my right, or the right hemisphere of my brain and the left. They are an integral whole, living for and supporting one another. Let this pink note convey my heartfelt wishes for your hundred-year union. May you live happily together for a lifetime!"
I remember turning to him and saying, "Well then, sir, please choose the duration for our marriage." He replied without hesitation, "I don't even need to think—100 years, of course. It's much more economical!"
Later, I married this man who wished to spend a century with me. Though not bound by Irish law, we have always cherished our vow and disciplined ourselves accordingly. We married in the spirit of the Irish tradition, viewing our union as a lifelong commitment. Hand in hand, we strive to nurture our marriage as we grow old together.
I sincerely hope every couple in the world can embrace this Irish spirit—committing to a hundred-year marriage, loving and protecting each other wholeheartedly.
中文翻译
与同事闲聊时，她突然问我：“你丈夫当初是怎么求婚的？浪漫吗？”我愣了一下，随即笑起来。“我丈夫挺务实的，”我说，“你觉得他的求婚会浪漫吗？”话虽如此，想起那一刻，我心中却充满甜蜜。说实话，他的求婚远非传统——没有鲜花、钻戒，也没有盛大惊喜。甚至很难称之为“求婚”。
他曾送我一本关于爱尔兰的书，我现在才明白那是他长远计划的一部分。一个周末，我刚读完那本书，他就走过来问我：“书读完了吗？”见我点头，他脸上焕发出光彩，用轻柔而愉悦的声音说：“如果你愿意，我们可以用爱尔兰的方式结婚。”
我的心早已被书中描述的浪漫而神圣的爱尔兰婚姻传统所俘获。书中解释说，爱尔兰因天主教背景曾禁止离婚。夫妻可以选择期限为1年至100年的婚姻契约。最引人注目的是契约期限与费用之间的反向关系：一年的婚姻需支付2000英镑，并附有一本厚厚的权利与责任手册；而一百年的婚姻仅需0.5英镑，并附有一张简短却感人至深的便条：
“我不知道我的左手与右手、右腿与左腿、左眼与右眼、大脑右半球与左半球之间有何明确的权利与责任。它们是一个完整的整体，为彼此而存在，相互支持。愿这张粉色便条传递我对你们百年姻缘的衷心祝愿。祝你们终生幸福相伴！”
我记得当时对他说：“那么，先生，请你为我们选择婚姻的期限吧。”他毫不犹豫地回答：“根本不用想——当然是100年。这划算多了！”
后来，我嫁给了这个愿与我共度百年时光的男人。虽然我们不受爱尔兰法律约束，但始终珍视彼此的誓言，并以此自律。我们以爱尔兰传统的精神结婚，视婚姻为终身承诺。携手同行，我们努力滋养这份感情，直至白头。
我衷心祝愿世间的每对伴侣都能秉承这份爱尔兰精神——许下百年婚约，全心全意地相爱与守护。