Partnering

The Land of Topiary hot-line rang tonight.

A long-time friend has a new addition in her life. After years of knowing everyone in her family, and everybody therein knowing their respective places, a new addition has arrived.

The friend's sister, (now deceased) had a child who was given up for adoption, who has now located the aunts and cousins of his birth family. Strangely, there is an Australian connection, since the young boy (American-born) was apparently stationed in Australia, met and fell in love with an Australian lady, and now has an Australian child.

Cow finds herself rather wistfully envious of having one's world rocked by a New Arrival. Just when you are bored with all your regular relatives, an exciting new stranger appears!

But to the point. This Aussie-American long-lost nephew/cousin, referred to his (wife?) as his "Partner." Cow and her friend are a little puzzled on this point.

Does Partner mean husband/wife, in a politically correct way, or is Partner a term which doesn't mean that at all these days, but means something (what?) totally different?

Enquiring Cows want to know, and trusts that given the deep intellect, far-ranging interests and geographic dispersal of her wondermous blog visitors, someone will kindly explain.

Moo!