4 Years
Dear Gerard,
Thank you. Thank you for promising not to divorce me because I know what that means to you. Thank you that I can rest in the security of that promise because you've shown me what Commitment is in action. Thank you for serving me through my selfishness, varying degrees of health issues, and outright laziness. Thank you for working diligently at your job to make an impact on the lives of your students despite any guilt trip I may have taken you on for spending so much time in the office.
Thank you for your gentleness with me and for living with me in an understanding way.
Thank you for pushing me out the door to go talk "Woman-ish", knowing that my accountability partners will tell me the same thing you've been trying to get me to understand the past week-ergo, thank you for your patience and humility. Thank you for agonizing over a decision between saving us money vs. possibly hurting someone's feelings.
Thank you for always putting relationships first and putting others needs ahead of your own gain.
Thank you for supporting me in my business ventures, for your wisdom, and for advising me on tough decisions even when I feel like I'm flying blind.
Our marriage has shown me how deeply sorrow is shared and how exponentially joy is multiplied.Thank you for supporting and serving my family, unbegrudgingly, for that has made my family, your's. Sharing grief has made your family, mine.
Gerard:
I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you through our walk together.
When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you,
so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone.
I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life.
Thank you. Thank you for promising not to divorce me because I know what that means to you. Thank you that I can rest in the security of that promise because you've shown me what Commitment is in action. Thank you for serving me through my selfishness, varying degrees of health issues, and outright laziness. Thank you for working diligently at your job to make an impact on the lives of your students despite any guilt trip I may have taken you on for spending so much time in the office.
Thank you for your gentleness with me and for living with me in an understanding way.
Thank you for pushing me out the door to go talk "Woman-ish", knowing that my accountability partners will tell me the same thing you've been trying to get me to understand the past week-ergo, thank you for your patience and humility. Thank you for agonizing over a decision between saving us money vs. possibly hurting someone's feelings.
Thank you for always putting relationships first and putting others needs ahead of your own gain.
Thank you for supporting me in my business ventures, for your wisdom, and for advising me on tough decisions even when I feel like I'm flying blind.
Our marriage has shown me how deeply sorrow is shared and how exponentially joy is multiplied.Thank you for supporting and serving my family, unbegrudgingly, for that has made my family, your's. Sharing grief has made your family, mine.
Gerard:
I love you. I am confident that God has chosen you to be my husband. It is my prayer and desire that you will find in me the helpmeet God designed especially for you, and in confidence I will submit myself unto your leadership as unto our Lord.
It is the greatest desire of my heart to be faithful to you and to love you always,
seeking to meet your every need, desiring to help in every way, listening to you,
encouraging you, comforting you and standing by your side in whatever
circumstances may face us in the years ahead. Through these experiences, I will respect you,
honor you and strive for harmony in our marriage with a quiet and gentle spirit, so that together, we may grow in the likeness of Christ and our home be a praise to Him.
seeking to meet your every need, desiring to help in every way, listening to you,
encouraging you, comforting you and standing by your side in whatever
circumstances may face us in the years ahead. Through these experiences, I will respect you,
honor you and strive for harmony in our marriage with a quiet and gentle spirit, so that together, we may grow in the likeness of Christ and our home be a praise to Him.
I promise to be honest and to communicate my needs and feelings, just as I promise to listen to yours.
Today I pledge my commitment to you.
I pledge to honor, encourage, and support you through our walk together.
When our way becomes difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you,
so that through our union we can accomplish more than we could alone.
I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life.
Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God, my God.
07.07.07
Your co-heir in Christ & the most beautiful (*ahem* ONLY) woman you live with, ;)
Carrie