Both of us, I think, were gratified by the response to Cokie's first book as well as the one we've done together, and both of us would like to spend part of our working and writing lives telling stories about love and courage and real people, and not just spend all our time focused on politics and public policy. There was apprehension, particularly on the part of Steve's family, on what it would mean down the line. That in the end proved to be very important. When we had our ceremony that was as inclusive as humanly possible, they came to understand that no one was being left out or being told their tradition wasn't valued highly. I tell my students and other young people that any time you spend with your families, any investment you make in helping them overcome their doubts, fears and anxieties about a mixed marriage is an investment well made.
People fear what theydon't know.
They have stereotypes a prejudices in their own mind. But when it comes to meeting a real person, in most cases those prejudices fade away. You have to make the investment of time and love. I suppose if we had arguments over doctrine that would be a problem. But we don't.