To Have and To Hold

Everyone gets so excited over the trimmings for the wedding. It is but natural. After all it is a major event in one’s life to choose to bind ourselves to another and to commit our self into another’s care. Often, we are so intent on making everything very personal so that it will feel more natural when we do say our vows.

There is a saying though that is very apt for some. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sometimes the simple and traditional “I do” truly is more than enough to express how we feel. With your indulgence, shall we examine the traditional wedding vow:

I take thee to be my wife/husband

What can be more special. You are saying out loud to the person standing beside you, and to your witnesses, that you have chosen him or her to be a permanent part of your life. You are saying out loud how special this person is and that of the many people in the world, he or she is your choice of mate.

To have and to hold

Marriage is a commitment to your relationship. It is one that you have identified as worth fighting for and is such should be cared for to the best of your ability. No one may get in the way of your partnership.

To love, honor and cherish

Above all others, you are choosing this one person. You put your life in his or her hands as he or she does in your. Treat this person with respect and care for them as your most precious gem. To have found them at all is a blessing. Treasure them and let them know everyday that they are wanted, appreciated and loved. Treat them like the king or queen of your heart and they hopefully will do the same for you.

For richer or poorer

Some marriages are made for financial reasons. It is quite common to feel like Cinderella marrying the prince. It feels great to suddenly have more options by the blessing your spouse shares with you the moment you say I do. Keep in mind though that fortunes do turn. Businesses go up and down and you never know when life may throw you some major budget cuts.

This is one reason why wealthy people want their future spouse to sign prenuptial agreements. They want to marry someone who will llove them for who they are, not their money. If you feel you can’t live with this person if you were as poor as church mice, better not to get married.

For better or worse

Life is sometimes not as smooth as we like. You’re getting married now, while both of you are young and have bright futures ahead of you. Will you still be there if another hurricane Katrina or 9/11 were to hit? Can you be firm in the face of fear and hunger? Good or bad, you are meant to be together when you exchange rings.

In sickness and in health

You chose to marry a virile, handsome man or a slim sexy woman. People naturally change as they grow older. They may lose their figure. They may acquire illnesses like diabetes or cancer. Sometimes, it is an accident where they may be drastically transformed to the opposite of what they are now.

Marriage is about loving the person knowing the risks of whatever genetic maladies they may carry. It means not leaving if suddenly they need to wear an adult diaper and you become their caregiver. It means loving enough to help them fight for their life when everyone else tells you to give up on him or her because he has a disease.

Til death do we part

Annulments and divorce have become a commonplace thing in our modern world. Yet marriage was meant to be for our lifetime, not just a couple of years. Choose wisely and be sure before walking down the aisle. Be among the blesses to truly be life partners.

[tags]wedding,wedding vows, annulment, divorce,hurricane Katrina[/tags]