The Elopement

The cultural definition of 'elope' is to "run away" secretly, yet for a life-enhancing rite of passage you may in fact run towards. And that makes sense because the etymology of elope includes to leap, to spring.;

—The Dutch root of elope is part of the wider Germanic family, traceable to the Proto-Germanic 'hlaupaną' (to leap) and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European 'klewb-', conveying a sense of springing or moving quickly—

So let's say elopement more properly equates to a quantum leap. Sometimes an elopement effectively means to "cut to the chase" amidst a world of noise... slip 'away' more precisely named, is to slip into a soul-size summons.

I can tell you it has happened many-a time with the quiet blessing of another intimate, a grandmother, or mom herself, or a brother, a friend, someone in intimate space who knows the caliber of what is occurring, what has already occurred, what has come to pass, and is urging this one they know so well; For Goodness Sake!...; take hold of this with both your hands, with all your heart (and leap!). The stars have aligned, ..and you, upon your State of Matrimony Arriving, are being recognized, witnessed, as having Arrived.

You may even consider in societal terms that there is a quality here of an 'unbecoming', a stepping away from structures that no longer serve, a reclaiming of sovereignty.