Virginia is for Lovers
By: Vlady Peters
It’s hard to decide whether Virginia is for lovers or not. Apparently it is one of the few remaining American states where state laws are still deciding the sexual morality – or lack thereof – of their citizens. Perhaps it was correctly named, valuing as it does the sanctity of marriage, and the celibacy of those who choose to remain single. Apparently in Virginia, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
However, while out of step with the lax moral habits of the citizens of the majority of other American states, Virginia’s history is certainly filled with love and romance.
It’s from this state that we have the story of Pocahontas and Captain John Smith. According to folk lore, when her father was about to club this particular trouble maker to death, she threw herself on his body intimating that if he wanted to kill Smith, he would have to kill her first.
Apparently John was the kind of fellow who brought out the best – and worst – in people. This was not his only brush with death. As a matter of fact, one of his captains, on whose ship he was traveling, was so ticked off with John Smith, that he made the decision to have his executed the minute they landed. But wouldn’t you know it, no sooner was he standing on land, than, after opening the sealed orders from the Virginia Company on whose behalf they were travelling, than he saw that Smith had been designated as one of the leaders of the new colony. Swearing under his breath, the Captain spared Smith.
But, for Smith, it was out of one bit of trouble into another. In another battle he was wounded, captured, and sold as a slave by a Turk. Not realising the man’s charms, the Turk sent him as a gift to his sweetheart. It wasn’t long before Smith had the girl wrapped around his finger. Of course he realised that she would not want to lose such a prize as himself, so it was another case of gaining her confidence, and watching for a means to escape. Which, of course, he did.
However, as one of the leading lights in colonising Virginia, Smith proved himself not only an able lover, but an extremely ruthless businessman. He could possibly be called the father of Capitalism, encouraging the settlers as he did with his slogan, “He who does not work, will not eat.”
Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorized to perform marriages in Australia. She also performs general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about Vlady, visit her at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com.