I dug up our Wedding Vows. I thought that posting them here completes one of the many circles on our life adventure. Plus it's just a good reminder for us entering into this new stage of our relationship. I told Mike last night, teary eyed, that I was gonna miss the two of us but am really excited for the three of us.
Kimbra(our officiant) reads: “Mike and Erin, do you pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy and equanimity?”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra reads: “Understanding that just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other person is also a
mystery to us. Do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, to
examine your own minds continually and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiousity and joy?
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra reads: “Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other, and to share it
with all beings? To take the loving feelings you have for one another and your vision of each other’s
potential and inner beauty as an example and rather than spiraling inwards and becoming self absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings?”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra reads: “Do you pledge day to day, to be patient with yourselves and others, knowing that
change comes slowly and gradually, and to seek inspiration from your friends and family not to become discouraged?”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra says: “Do you pledge to continuously strive to remember your own nature, as well as the nature of all living beings? To maintain the awareness that all things are temporary, and to remain optimistic that you can achieve your greatest potential and lasting happiness.”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra reads: “Understanding that just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other person is also a
mystery to us. Do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, to
examine your own minds continually and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiousity and joy?
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra reads: “Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other, and to share it
with all beings? To take the loving feelings you have for one another and your vision of each other’s
potential and inner beauty as an example and rather than spiraling inwards and becoming self absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings?”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra reads: “Do you pledge day to day, to be patient with yourselves and others, knowing that
change comes slowly and gradually, and to seek inspiration from your friends and family not to become discouraged?”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
Kimbra says: “Do you pledge to continuously strive to remember your own nature, as well as the nature of all living beings? To maintain the awareness that all things are temporary, and to remain optimistic that you can achieve your greatest potential and lasting happiness.”
Mike and Erin say: “We do.”
I found the basis of these vows online somewhere. I was trying to find something that suited us and these were Buddhist vows that we both really liked. We edited a lot of it, took out much of it and even took out certain terms that were exclusively Buddhist (like, the word Buddha, for instance) so we tailored it to our liking.
P.S. I'm still pregnant.
Thank you! It was so lovely to reread your vows...Yes, this is one circle that will be continued or intertwined with your next circle.
ReplyDeleteSorry I woke you up and that it is 100 degrees there.
Awww! Darren and I felt the same way before Natalie was born. I remember driving to the hospital in the middle of the night. We were so happy but scared about how this little being was going to change us forever. It was such a sweet moment.
ReplyDeleteI love your vows....they are so beautiful.
thanks tiff. i love that you and darren felt the same way!
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