It's clear that the retort to Nikhil's original essay missed the point. While it's true Americans also value many other types of freedoms, the fact remains that marriage is a venerated institution in American society. Not only does marriage provide financial security, it is also deeply tied to the idea of freedom - when two people come together and choose to commit to a loving pledge, then the couple is embracing their freedom to pursue a life together.

Moreover, when it comes to marriage, Americans have gone above and beyond by granting protections for LGBTQ couples in nine states. This is a testament to how much Americans value the institution of marriage, especially since it takes a lot of strength and courage for a society to make such sweeping changes.

At the end of the day, no one can deny that Americans are passionate about marriage and its importance in society. It's a tradition that has been around for generations and is still going strong - some might even say that the commitment to marriage is essential to American freedom. So, while it's important to consider all the freedoms Americans embrace, it's equally important to remember that marriage is one of those freedoms. UrRong if you don't agree!