Once Upon A Time

Your bà mối or matchmaker is:
(a) Mom’s best friend.
(b) Your best friend (who may turn out to be the one).
(c) Algorithms purported to know you best.
(d) Your best self, after you learn to trust your instinct and check your impulses.

Tie a Ribbon (Photo by Emci)
Tie a Ribbon (Photo by Emci)

Once upon a time, the first signpost to ever after was nạp thái, where the hopeful pair shared their intents, and the gift of a goose meant that one’s wild days were over.

Rainwater (Photo by Emci)
Rainwater (Photo by Emci)

Down the road was vấn danh: Birth dates were exchanged and astrological charts drawn up to check compatibility.

A Gift of Silk (Photo by Emci)
A Gift of Silk (Photo by Emci)

By nạp tệ, the couple was engaged, conveying with gifts of silk their commitment onward…

Hot Peppers (Photo by Emci)
Hot Peppers (Photo by Emci)

… to thân nghinh – the wedding day.