January 22, 2010

The Other Vows

Posted in Uncategorized at 7:33 pm by mikaiya

People asked after the wedding if we could post our vows- in large part, because nobody could hear us. Family friends commented that they knew I was nervous, because all my old comfort with public speaking went right out the window at our wedding. I stammered, I giggled, I couldn’t keep it quite together. But I’m ok with that- our wedding vows were really for us, anyways. George ended his vows with the most important thing he could ever say- that he is mine. He made me smile, and laugh, and that’s what I love best about him. Together, we entertain ourselves. We make each other grin. When I need to think about a happy place, to calm myself down in a bad situation, or when I need a focus in yoga or any other activity- the thing I always seem to come up with is how George looks when he smiles. I love how visibly his eyes crinkle up, how impossible it is for him to hide when he’s grinning. I spend a good part of my life trying to make him wrinkle up even more, and laugh a little harder.

I didn’t try and make him laugh too much in my vows though. I just wanted to say why I was marrying him. What I had to offer him. So this is what I said.

I Jennifer, stand here in front of all these witnesses to take you, George, as my husband, dearest companion, and lifelong partner in marriage.

Joined as husband and wife, I am certain that we will be better than either of us alone. Together we are ready to face the challenges that lie ahead of us, we are more able to share our joy and really experience every moment, and most of all I know we are ready to build a future together.

I always joke that you pursued me. And once we were actually dating, I knew within weeks of dating you that you were it. You were my person. When people ask me how I could be so certain, I never hesitate with my answer. I always wanted to marry a nice man, a good man, who would treat me with respect, and love me as much as I love him. You are the nicest man I’ve ever known. You are steadfast with your friends, you are truly devoted to your family, and you have treated me like your family from the beginning of our relationship. You support me, not unquestioningly, but by always asking the hard questions, and making me think about my world and my choices. We are not young kids, going blindly into our future. We’re fully-formed people in our own right, but we are always learning and growing with each other.

From this moment forward, we really are a family of our own. I promise to live by the vows I make today, and promise that I will love you and cherish you above all others. I will help you pursue your dreams, just as you help me pursue mine, and no matter what our circumstances. In hard times and easy times, rich or poor, healthy or sick, young and old. I pledge to hold these promises dear to my heart for the rest of my life.

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