Complete Book of Wedding Vows (51 page)

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Authors: Diane Warner

Tags: #Family & Relationships, #Marriage, #test

BOOK: Complete Book of Wedding Vows
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became quite close, traveling together, square dancing together and truly loving each other as dear friends.
When each lost their mate, it was only natural for them to spend time together, consoling each other and trying to bear each other up under such a devastating loss. Well, one thing led to another, and within six months or so, people noticed them holding hands and snuggling in public, so it wasn't surprising when they decided to get married. I attended their wedding and these were their eloquently written vows:
Horace: "Emma, we have lived long, full lives and experienced many joys and sorrows. We have each raised our families in the fear and admonition of the Lord, releasing them finally to their own joys and sorrows to be found in this world. Then, when we lost our loving mates and our hearts were full of pain, God brought us to each other so that we may find joy again. And what a joy you are to me, my precious Emma, my dear one, God's gift to me. I'm so thankful for you and I give myself to you this day, freely and without reservation, as I vow to be your loving, faithful husband for all the days we have left together on this earth."
Emma: "We have lived long lives, and we wouldn't trade our lives for any prize the world could offer, but, because of you, life is more precious to me today than it has ever been before. You have brought me a joy and fresh anticipation of a happy new life yet to come as I take you as my husband. As we stand here before our friends and family, our children and grandchildren, I publicly declare my love for you. I want them to know how proud I am of you and how special is our love. I give myself to
 
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you, Horace, on this our wedding day, and I promise to be your faithful wife for all the years that God may give us together on this earth."
Soon after they married they moved to Missouri to be closer to his children, but they were back in California recently to attend the funeral of one of their close friends and I overheard Horacenow 79 years old, mind youas he confided to one of his old buddies at the reception that followed: "I'm telling you, Harry, she's an awful lot of fun when the sun goes down, if you know what I mean."
I glanced at Emma to see if she may have overheard his remark; she had and was blushing like a newlywed bride on the morning after.
At
any
age...ain't love grand?
 
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Chapter 7
Vows with Religious Variations
Many couples want their vows to have deep spiritual meaning, reflecting their personal faith in God, as well as their religious heritage. This chapter includes many of these vows, with hundreds of phrasings from which to choose. Most are based on scripture, prayer or the religious commitment of the bride and groom, not only to each other but to their God as well.
 
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"I take you, _________________, as my lawfully wedded wife/husband according to God's holy ordinance. I feel blessed beyond words and favored beyond measure that God brought you into my life. I promise to be faithful to you, giving you honor, respect and understanding as we strive to live in harmony and humility, in times of great or plenty, sickness or health, knowing that our marriage has been sanctioned by God and that our lives are fully entrusted to Him."
"_________________, you are my beloved bride/ bridegroom whom I choose to marry this day. I know that marriage is a holy union, instituted by God in the Garden of Eden when He saw that it was not good for man to live alone. Marriage was also given a crown of glory by the Apostle Paul, who likened it to that Holy union which exists between Christ and His church. Because of the deep, holy spiritual significance of marriage, I therefore enter it reverently, knowing that the Lord will richly bless those who seek His favour. I come into this holy relationship this day to be joined with you, _____________________, as your lawfully wedded husband / wife and I pray that our hearts will be melded together by the holy seal of God's approval as we become one flesh."
"__________________, I promise to be your faithful husband / wife, loving you and serving you with all my heart, just as my heart also longs to love and serve God. I enter into this holy estate of matrimony with great reverence, soberly and discreetly, in the fear of

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