Our Vows

I was doing some organizing in our bedroom when I came across a white piece of paper folded up into a tiny square. Without even opening it I knew what it was : Our Wedding Vows
As I think about those vows we took, back on 08/02/08, I realize just how true we've stayed to them.
Our Wedding Vows:
Paula, please face Jim & holds his hands, palms up, so that you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your bestfriend, young & strong & vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day as he promises to love you for all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future, as you laugh & cry, as you share your innermost secrets & dreams.
These are the hands that look so large & strong yet will continue to be gentle with your beloved son Kyle & any future children you may be blessed with.
These are the hands that will continue to work long hours for you & your family.
These are the hands that will love you & cherish you through the years for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness & hold you when grief & fear overwhelm you.
Jim, please face Paula & hold her hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your bestfriend, smooth, young & carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day as she promises to love you for all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will continue to hold your beloved son Kyle & any future children you may be blessed with in tender love, soothing them through illness & hurt, supporting & encouraging them along the way & knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick & console you when you are grieving.
These are the hands that will love & cherish you through the years for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will give support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams.
Together, as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
Bless these hands that you see.
May they always be held by one another.
Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress & the dark of disillusionment.
Keep them tender & gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love.
Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in care & devoted to reaching for perfection.
May you, Jim & you, Paula see the combination of your hands joined together as healer, protector, shelter & guidance.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness & kindness that you connection deserves.
When frustration, difficulty or fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not the parts that may seem wrong.
In this way you can ride out the times when the clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering always that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there.
I am so happy to have married my bestfriend in the whole world.