Into the Woods
"It Takes Two" to Plan a Lifegiving Marriage
In 1987, Stephen Sondheim produced "Into the Woods", a musical play with a message:
This pertains to marriage also... when a couple bonds together, especially when they are planning their life with one another, they can conquer most anything that comes their way.
Most of us have said at one time or another, We're out of the woods now.... A famous child psychologist, Bruno Betteheim, in his book, "The Uses of Enchantment" described the symbolism of the woods as:
Every couple needs to really evaluate their priorities by looking honestly at how they spend their time and their money. We suggest that you keep track for a week or two of your expenses and your daily schedule. You might be surprised to see the results. Many couples say that their main priority is their relationship or time with their kids, yet when the amount of time spent with children or spouse is added up... it's a very low number.
Don't be afraid to dream a little too, and have a vision of where the two of you will be or how you will be spending your time five years, or ten years, or twenty years down the road. Planning together is a continuing, ongoing process. Also, as in "Into the Woods", remember that "IT TAKES TWO".
You're different in the woods.
More sure. More sharing.
You're getting us through the woods.
If you could see-- You're not the man who started,
And much more open-hearted than I knew you to be.
Baker: It takes two.
I thought one was enough, it's not true:
It takes two of us.
You came through when the journey was rough.
It took you. It took two of us.
It takes care, it takes patience and fear and despair to change.
Though you swear to change, who can tell if you do?
It takes two.
Wife: You've changed. You're thriving.
There's something about the woods.
Not just surviving, you're blossoming in the woods.
At home I'd fear we'd stay the same forever.
And then out here you're passionate, charming, considerate,
clever--
Baker: It takes one to begin, but then once you've begun,
It takes two of you.
It's no fun, but what needs to be done you can do
When there's two of you.
If I dare, it's because I'm becoming aware of us as a pair of us,
Each accepting a share of what's there.
Both: We've changed. We're strangers.
I'm meeting you in the woods.
Who minds what dangers?
I know we'll get past the woods.
And once we're past, let's home the changes last beyond woods,
Beyond witches and slippers and hoods, just the two of us--
Beyond lies, safe at home with our beautiful prize,
Just the few of us. It takes trust.
It takes just a bit more and we're done.
We want four, we had none. We've got three.
We need one.
It takes two."
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