Weddings.
As much as I try to avoid buying into our cultural obsession with them, because the institution of marriage (particularly in Australia) is flawed and discriminatory, the truth is that each time I see one or attend one I’m overcome with unexpected emotion.
There's something about seeing someone vow to spend the rest of their life with another person, and look excited and in awe, rather than sick and terrified, that gives me all the feelings.
Now, secret sharing app Whisper has capitalised on my romantic sensibilities and crowdsourced the secret thoughts from grooms about their brides as they walked down the aisle.
When did you know your partner was 'the one'? Post continues after video.
One user said that as he laid eyes on his bride he thought, "I still can't believe she said yes...This is everything I ever wanted. How the hell did this even happen to me??"
Stop. It.
He then continued, "8 years later and I'm still having trouble believing this is my life!"
Another was thinking, "I'm going to do all I can to make this woman happy and not regret a single thing."
Awww. Guys.
Some grooms were slightly more concerned with their own wellbeing, but were clearly over the moon to see their wife-to-be walking towards them.
One thought, "Thank God she showed up," before thinking, "Hurry up and get over here, I feel like a douche standing here on my own."
Another groom was pretty sure that all eyes went to his bride as she walked down the aisle. When he saw her, he thought, "Thank God no one is looking at me anymore."
Perhaps the most romantic of all was from a man who says he couldn't stop thinking, "Don't cry...don't cry..." before inevitably bursting into tears.
His next thought was, "I LOVE HER SO MUCH HOLY SHIT!!! I've been waiting for this since I met her at 17 year old holy sh*t I'm so happy!!"
Before realising, "...F*ck, now everyone is watching me cry."
I WANNA WATCH PEOPLE CRY FROM LOVE.
Then there's the guy who shared, "I remember being calm and then when I saw her my heart started to race and I thought to myself I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with her."
And the one who says he was thinking one thing and one thing only: "I can't wait to eat cold spaghetti with her for the rest of my life."
I actually strongly relate with this guy, however, it's those spicy sweet chilli doritos I can't wait to eat for the rest of my life with my partner.
Of course, ultimately these are men, and many of them have very unromantic thoughts on their wedding day.
Like this guy, who admitted he was thinking, "I have to fart so bad right now."
Eugh. DUDE. Be romantic for one day of your life, please.
I really hope that if I ever choose to have a wedding, my groom is thinking about how much he loves me, how beautiful I am, how did he possibly managed to get so lucky, etc, etc, rather than his goddam flatulence.
