In Diana Gabaldon's "Written in My Own Heart's Blood," the concept of marriage among friends is depicted as a unique and personal union. Unlike traditional marriages that involve a clergyman and a formal ceremony, this union is characterized by the friends themselves marrying one another. It emphasizes the bond between the friends rather than a religious sacrament.
Although the marriage lacks the conventional religious structure, it still requires the presence of witnesses, specifically other friends. This aspect highlights the importance of community and mutual support in such relationships, focusing on the personal commitment between the individuals involved.