Back when I was a young counselor it made a big impression on me when several former counselors I really looked up to brought their boyfriends and girlfriends down to meet Tay. I wasn’t sure exactly why they wanted her opinion of who they were dating. Looking back on it now I realize two things – #1 they could count on her to tell them what she really thought and #2 she was a great judge of character.
She frequently told the staff “Don’t marry anyone until you’ve gone on a canoe trip with them”. What I think she meant by that is that you see someone’s true character when they are on a canoe trip – you know if they do their fair share, you see if they appreciate the same things you do, you learn if they are a complainer – basically you see them in a real-life situation and not in the artificial setting of a date.
At camp, we discourage romantic relationships and encourage friendships. Even so, over the years, several counselors who have become good friends at camp have gone on to get married. Guy T. helped Lele get her supperhike fires going, Eric and Anneleis were both from Holland, Alex from Denmark and Cristina from Spain married in Pamplona several years ago and Tay and Dr. Guy were there. Several weeks ago it looked like a Strong River Reunion in Lafayette LA when Corey and Sarah Katherine got married. William read the Irish Blessing we sing at our final breakfast at camp as part of the ceremony. Most of the bridesmaids were counselors. The groom’s cake was several tiers of Strong River Banquet cupcakes. The whole event was beautiful and Tay and Dr. Guy and I were so pleased to be a part of it.
Tay’s advice still makes good sense. First, be a friend and next, make sure to go on a canoe trip with someone before you marry them. Best wishes to expert canoers Corey and Sarah Katherine!!!
Meet you at the Orange Mailbox… Sarah Dabney
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