She Said (Amplified Version)

by - October 30, 2011

I, Dawn, (the girl I was then, with my few life experiences and my naïve view of the world, together with my blood relatives somewhat in tow,  my friends, my pet peeves and my penchant for fingernail polish, with my fears and unfinished business, my short-comings and my need for ducks to line up in neat rows, and the fluidity of these issues that changed who I became over time)

Take you, Mike, (the man I was head over heels for, who also changed over time, with more education, future ventures gained and lost, with your career change, your zeal, your coffee too strong for me to drink, your daring, your love of softball and your unflinching convictions)
To be my wedded (joined forevermore on legal papers and in my heart) husband.

To have and to hold (that you are mine to share with none other, you whom I keep and treasure above all else and others, to think that you gave yourself to me — how exquisite indeed),
From this day forward (that moment that was monumental, when "I do" and "I will" changed utterly everything afterward, never to be undone),

For better (celebration hospital meals in the presence of a newborn, snow in Mississippi, promotions, honesty whispered in the dark cheek to cheek, Christmas mornings, and your earlobe),
For worse (there's been an accident, you're fired, it's cancer, you'll never understand!, burned pots, stranded and left on the shoulder of the interstate in Atlanta with a van full of youth, throwing a plate, disappointments, almost running out of gas, yelling, costly mistakes),

For richer (I start Monday!, Graduation Day (x2), Disney, automatic transmission and a sun roof, we got the house!, it's a boy followed by a few girls),
For poorer (dorm life, praying to find stray coins behind the back seat of the car for gas money, you're fired, Hudson's Salvage Center, U Haul, Disney),

In sickness (he's in ICU and may not make it through the night, lost in a strange city frantically seeking the hospital parking garage, all night prayer vigils that God will spare him  for the sake of a 10 month old, following an ambulance, hospital stink, both of us between the bed rails)
And in health (laps at the seminary campus, around Laurel High School track, and while the toddler watched from the storm door, P90X together in the garage — Bring it!, Jenny Craig, a kitchen cabinet full of whole food supplements),

To love and to cherish (toes that find each other in sleep, speaking volumes without a word, inside jokes like "good morning!", holding hands for no reason in the car)
Til death do us part (only one lifetime?)

And hereto I pledge (as in yes and amen) you my faithfulness (endless dirty dishes and laundry piles notwithstanding).

~ ~ ~ ~

This is what I vowed (and what I now know those vows meant, and what I would do all over again given half a chance.)


Take Home: Have you thought about what your vows really mean?


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3 comments

  1. The only thing I can say is "wow"! Took me so many places -all of them were great because you were with me, I love you so much better than I did in the beginning. The more I know you the more I love you, thanks for posting.

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  2. Grand testimony and witness; God blessings, continued, on you both along with yours.
    Yes, I do know what my vows mean. Daily. They are absolutely non-negotiable even in the face of what I don't understand, don't want, don't think I need.
    Non-negotiable!
    But only because God is here, with me, with us and He carries my load, me and reminds me He'll never forsake me nor forgo loving me. How then could I break my vows, His heart?
    Non-negotiable.

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  3. This. I think, is your best writing yet Dawn. Praise God for your testimony! And thank you for sharing. You should frame this. . .And we'll read it at your 25th celebration. . .

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