Vows

 June is the month known for weddings! It’s the start of summer and not the height of the heat (although if you live where I live it is unbearably hot even so) and the end of the school year. Many look forward to vacation and summer activities. Things that can be done because there aren’t as many obligations are planned. People look at June as a time perfect for their nuptials and so do companies looking for a jump in their profits. When my partner and I chose to get married in June, it was simply because we needed to get married so we could live together the next college year on campus because we went to a Bible college. I really wanted to get married in October but logistically it wouldn’t have worked out for us to be able to make our housing options work. With that in mind I chose June, not long after my college graduation. Our wedding day also happens to be the longest day of the year with the shortest night. The summer solstice. This past year, was our ten year anniversary. Altogether, we have been together for about thirteen years. We got married pretty young and have both changed so much from who we were in our early twenties. 

We chose to have a simple  vow renewal ceremony, with very few people. The way we would’ve had our wedding if we were who we are now so many years ago. As I was thinking about the vows I wanted to say, I knew I would cry. I am a big crybaby. Think Usagi from sailor moon. I cry at everything. I also wanted to be intentional about what I said and not make promises I didn’t know if I could keep. I wanted them to reflect who I am and who we are as partners. It took me until the week before to finalize what I wrote. I wrote them as a story and I want to share them because they’re a part of my heart, and if I happen to lose the notebook they’re written in, I have them somewhere else.

June 20, 2025

“I’m terrible at using my words to say what I’m thinking or feeling, but I’m good at writing, and I love books so, here’s a story.

Once upon a time, which I’ve heard is often an adults way of saying “I’m about to lie to you.” However, this story is true. It doesn’t take place in a kingdom, or galaxy far, far away, or even in the 80’s, but in a hot, sticky state. Full of mosquitos, alligators, and questionable neighbors. 

A digital adventure loving man, met a quiet, earth loving woman. They fell in love, got married and had three, beautiful kids. They tried to live happily ever after, but in the real world, outside of typed times new Roman, it’s much harder achieved. Health did happen, but so did sickness in parents and children, wealth came and went, happiness and sadness both shared a room in their home.

The couple both changed over the years, barely the same as when they first met. The good news about the real world is nothing is set in stone. That can be scary at times, but it can also be hopeful. The man supported the woman, through all her ventures, bold and silly, he looked after his children with love and care, he took care of his family with all his might. Hoping for all the happiness that life might bring them. The girl never took that for granted.

She knew the hard work he did each day, she knew the support he gave her, he was her best friend and she never needed to be afraid. Although, it took her a few years to learn. The girl learned he saw her as she was when she couldn’t see herself and she was thankful for that. This story isn’t over.

The man and woman chose and keep choosing one another in every story. Life seems to make up a series of stories, the parts of us together and apart. Thank you for being the person that sees me and loves me anyway.”

If you’re wondering, yes, I did in fact start crying as soon as I opened my mouth. i don’t know if anyone other than my partner heard me but I knew that this was exactly what I wanted to say. It was my heart poured out to the person who has stood beside me and still stands beside me through everything. 

M