I always cry at weddings. Most of us do. The beauty of the ceremony, the happiness, the sweetness of the vows, all contribute to the emotions of the moment. More than anything else, it was the vows that started me writing this article.
I started thinking about the vows we take when we get married. When we are up at the altar, even though we know the meaning of the vows, we don’t really know what they MEAN. Their meanings change and grow, much as our marriages do. The starry-eyed individuals who took those original vows grow to know the deeper meaning and significance the words can have.
“I…., take you…., as my beloved…,to have and to hold…forsaking all others……”I take you into my heart to have in my life, to hold in my arms, and I will forsake everyone for you. These are poignant and powerful words. When things go wrong between us I need to remember these words. When I am angry there will be no one who will ever make me forsake our love.“
From this day forward….” This day begins our married life together and I will treat it as the sacred experience it should be.
“For better or for worse…” I am not perfect, neither are you, but we both are good together. I will rejoice with you in good times and hold tightly to you in bad times.
“For richer or for poorer…” There will be times when money is tight, there may be times when our bank account overflows, I will love you at all times. Without you I am a poorer version of myself, but with you I am rich beyond belief.
“In sickness and in health…”For most newlyweds, sickness means a bad case of the flu and we take our health for granted. As our lives change with each year of marriage so too does our understanding of “in sickness and in health…”
Holding each other after a miscarriage, kissing each other and trying hard not to cry, as one of us at different times was wheeled into surgery, prayers to God to “please, please let him, let her, be alright and come through surgery healed, cured, safe, healthy…alive.” Lying in bed in each other’s arms, a simple act no longer taken for granted, grateful to be alive together; I love you beyond all imagining.
“So long as we both shall live…” Pray that it will be long, healthy, and blessed.Saying to each other, “you are my life,” and meaning every word. Actually living life without petty complaints; awed by the beautiful thought that we love each other. You love me?! Then I am truly blessed.
Maybe it is a good idea to re-new our vows even if it is done privately at home. Because, as the years pass, we have a better understanding of what we promised when we said, “Love, Honor, Cherish.”
Love, unconditional and enduring through it all.
Honoring you for the person you are and for all you hold important.
Cherishing you as you cherish me, with sweetness and compassion.
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