June is fast approaching and the wedding season for many brides who have dreamed about this day since she was a little girl is inching ever so close to the printed date and time on her wedding invitation.
No doubt these blushing brides have already said, “Yes, to the dress”, whether simple yet elegant, trimmed in sparkle and beads, a flowing train or not. Whatever her choice, these beautiful women will surely stand out among the garden of flowers and starry skies of candlelight and take center stage with all eyes on her as she gracefully takes her royal walk down the rose petal isle to her betrothed.
Weddings are beautiful and magical and are unique to the personalities of the bride and groom.
One could get lost in the grand details displayed in every corner of the church, yet the part of the ceremony I lean in close and intently listen to is the exchange of their wedding vows by two people pledging their love for the other for a lifetime; especially if they are handwritten by the bride and groom.
I’ve often encouraged brides and grooms to carefully consider their vows, letting the overflow of their heart be voiced before a church seated with witnesses whose role is to remind them what they spoke and pledged before the other and before God long after the wedding church doors have been closed.
I’ve also encouraged couples to memorialize their vows in a frame and hang in a place to remind them for the days and years to come when circumstances challenge a couple’s love, so their commitments are in full view of what they promised at the altar before God when those seasons of hard times present themselves through the front door.
Weddings are only for a day.
The clock will soon strike midnight, a bride’s gown will find its way back into the box, the tuxedos will be returned, and the garden of fresh flowers will surely wilt.
But marriages are for a lifetime.
The first beginnings of marriage take place when a newly married couple steps into their happily ever.
Looking back at our wedding day almost thirty years ago this October, you think the details would remain fresh in your mind, but sadly they don’t. Yet, I’m thankful for the photographs and videos which take you back and rewind the clock and bring into full view again our Cinderella Day as if it was yesterday.
But as I encourage new couples about to be married, our vows spoken to the other have been written down for our reminders even thirty years after our wedding on Sweetest Day.
These are my husband’s vows to me.
My love, my words can’t express how much you mean to me.
From the first time I met you
My love for you is immense.
I thank the Lord; he heard my prayers.
You are so special to me.
I promise to love you with all my heart.
And lift you up when you are down.
I’ll fill your life with happiness as much as I can.
I will never leave you.
I’ll always be by your side.
You are the joy of my life.
From the first time I met you, I will always love you.
Lori my love, take me as I am.
I give you all of me.
I thank the Lord for you.
My husband David has kept his promises to me and just as he reminded at the altar that day thirty years ago…
My love for you is immense.
Truly, he has cherished me in ways like no other, adding though the love from my Heavenly Father.
These past few months though, another excerpt from my husband’s pledge has been magnified in our home…
I promise to love you with all my heart.
And lift you up when you are down.
With a few minor health challenges causing me setbacks I have never experienced before; David has been beyond faithful to his vows to…
Lift you up when you are down.
Coming home from a hard day’s work, David takes over those tasks I was unable to complete in my day; dishes, vacuuming, laundry, whatever it may be, serving without complaining or me asking; he just lifts me up when I am down.
Words are containers for life or death as we are reminded…
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who live it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 NIV
For those getting married, thoughtfully consider your vows…
At the altar of your lifetime moment on that glorious day you have waited forever for, speak life to the one you are betrothed to, as your words remain alive even thirty years after your memories and photographs are memorialized into its keepsake wedding book.