Wedding Vows

May 11 is a significant day in our house. It was May 11, 2005 that Susie and I exchanged wedding vows. They went something like this:

"Do you Susie, take Doug, to be your lawful wedded husband. To have and to hold, to love, to cherish, to honor and obey. Forsaking all others and (bad memory here) loving only him, 'till death do you part?"

"And do you , Doug, take Susie to be your lawful wedded wife. To love and to cherish, forsaking all others? "'till death do you part? Susie said she did and I said I do. And we do.

I can't remember my vows. I remember the point, but I don't remember the words. I found these vows on the internet, and think I might remember them better if these had been our vows. (Thank you, Dr. Suess.)

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Pastor: Will you answer me right now
These questions, as your wedding vow?

Groom: Yes, I will answer right now
Your questions as my wedding vow.

Pastor: Will you take her as your wife?
Will you love her all your life?

Groom: Yes, I take her as my wife,
Yes, I'll love her all my life.

Pastor: Will you have, and also hold
Just as you have at this time told?

Groom: Yes, I will have, and I will hold,
Just as I have at this time told,
Yes, I will love her all my life
As I now take her as my wife.

Pastor: Will you love through good and bad?
Whether you're happy or sad?

Groom: Yes, I'll love through good and bad,
Whether we're happy or sad,
Yes, I will have and I will hold
Just as I have already told,
Yes, I will love her all my life,
Yes, I will take her as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love her if you're rich?
Or if you're poor, and in a ditch?

Groom: Yes, I'll love her if we're rich,
And I will love her in a ditch,
I'll love her through good times and bad,
Whether we are happy or sad,
Yes, I will have, and I will hold
(I could have sworn this has been told!)
I promise to love all my life
This woman, as my lawful wife!

Pastor: Will you love her when you're fit,
And also when you're feeling sick?

Groom: Yes, I'll love her when we're fit,
And when we're hurt, and when we're sick,
And I will love her when we're rich
And I will love her in a ditch
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold
Ten years from now a thousandfold,
Yes, I will love for my whole life
This lovely woman as my wife!

Pastor: Will you love with all your heart?
Will you love till death you part?

Groom: Yes, I'll love with all my heart
From now until death do us part,
And I will love her when we're rich,
And when we're broke and in a ditch,
And when we're fit, and when we're sick,
(Oh, CAN'T we get this finished quick?)
And I will love through good and bad,
And I will love when glad or sad,
And I will have, and I will hold,
And if I might now be so bold,
I'll love her my entire life,
Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!

Pastor: Then if you'll take her as your wife,
And if you'll love her all your life,
And if you'll have, and if you'll hold,
From now until the stars grow cold,
And if you'll love through good and bad,
And whether you're happy or sad,
And love in sickness, and in health,
And when you're poor, and when in wealth,
And if you'll love with all your heart,
From now until death do you part,
Yes, if you'll love her through and through,
Please answer with these words:

Pastor and Groom: I DO!

Pastor: You're married now! So kiss the bride,
But please, do keep it dignified.
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It's been twenty four years, and I really think that if I had it to do again, I would use Dr. Seuss's words. They may not be quite as formal, but I think they really say it best.

Twenty four years. Have they all been easy? In a word, no. I am not an easy person to live with, but then, who is...really? The bible says God looked at Adam and said "It is not good for man to be alone." God is right, of course. If we were alone, we'd mess things up and then we'd lose them. And, more importantly, when we did something well, even a little bit well, there would be nobody to tell us. No one to appreciate us for outstanding acts of mediocrity...significant acts of insignificance...superior acts of inferiority. Nobody to hear us yell "Woo-woo!"

Thanks Susie, for twenty-four great years, and maybe that many addresses. There are time when I would rather be alone, but nobody I would rather be with. And thank you, that when Dennis Glenn asked you if you would take me, that you didn't answer "It seems reasonable, but I really think I should ask some people who know him better and get back with you." I know what they would have said...especially our friend Joy."

Happy anniversary, sweetheart! I love you.