For most of human history, what constituted marriage was quite different from the way we define that institution in the twenty-first century. The fact is, the tradition of marriage is historically—and hysterically—nontraditional. 

Regardless of our own political, philosophical, or religious beliefs, some traditions feel as if they’re part of the human bedrock—the ancient foundation that holds us together as one great eternal, and eternally dysfunctional, tribe. However, it’s important to realize that tweaking our traditions is a tradition in itself. Just as humanity is constantly evolving, so are our social practices.