We Do

Well, it's been awhile since we've posted anything to our blog. In the meantime, we've gotten married, moved, and no longer have internet access at home. We are now dependent upon the library's one hour a day free internet or our friends' generosity with their computers.

We thought that for our first blog post in all this time, we would simply post our personal vows that we had written for each other.

~

Mark:

I looked at a pile of clothes on my bed:

The armour that a bachelor wears.

My vagabond shoes, my troubadour's coat,

My gypsy hat, my crazy guy shirt,

My lonewolf vest, my Travolta-Jackson disco (dancing) pants,

My trailblazer backpack, and my girlwatcher shades.

Like my soul in the mirror

They are stained, thin, and full of holes.

I'm ready to pack them in

And give it all up to goodwill.

I can't wait for my new clothes;

I don't know what holy robes

A married man will need to wear,

But I'm willing to learn.

I can't wait to come to this gate,

And wear this easy equal yoke.

I cannot guarantee financial security,

That we'll have everything that we want,

Or that the market won't crash.

But I promise you, love...

That I'll work hard, do my very best,

And trust the Father for the rest.

He will not see us beg for bread.

I cannot guarantee that we'll ever own a house

With a yard and a fence

Or acres for a horse and kids to run free,

But I promise you, love...

I'll be your covering and wherever we roam

Together we'll build a home

With Christ as the Cornerstone.

I cannot guarantee that we will have a bunch of children

Or if we do that they'll be good and quiet

And follow the Lord always.

But I promise you, love...

That our home will be open, warm, and fun--

A shelter from the storm;

That shoulder-to-shoulder

I'll back your play

And support what you say.

I cannot guarantee that there won't be anger or tears,

Fights or fears, pain or loss,

Or that I can scare off the Angel of Death.

But I promise you, love...

That I'll be your shoulder, your tissue, your pillow;

That I'll be your soldier to keep clumsy wellwishers away;

That I mean the words of the jazz song:

"Cry if you want to, I won't tell you not to, I won't try to cheer you up;

I'll just be here if you want me."

I cannot guarantee that we'll both make it

To that golden age of silver hair,

Or that we'll both be aware of who we are or where.

But I promise you, love...

If we both make it and we're both aware,

We will still walk in the park,

And kiss in the dark, do crosswords,

Drink coffee and iced tea,

And we'll still be each other's best friend.

I promise you laughter,

I promise you tears,

I promise you faithfulness

Through all the years;

I promise I'll be there

To calm all your fears;

I promise my body

To bring comfort to yours;

I promise you kindness

And opening doors;

I promise you romance

And the occasional dance;

I promise provision

From the Father above;

But most of all,

I promise you love.

Esther:

When I'm with you, problems seem smaller, and blessings are greater.

When you smile at me, I cannot help but smile in return.

You have become my nearest, dearest friend, and I cannot imagine life without you.

I look forward eagerly to spending the rest of my life with you, anticipating years of joy and laughter.

I promise that I will never walk away from you. No matter what, I commit myself to you. From this day forth, you are a part of me; we are one and nothing can ever change that.