a vow to my partner

for friends of mine preparing to marry...
for friends of mine who just did marry...
i send this out to you.



a vow to my partner

"i will be mindful of the act of loving you
every day of my life.

i will not take you for granted,
but will keep my eyes open to the treasure
that you are,
allowing room for your individuality
and your own uniqueness.

i will not try to bend you to my ways,
but rather open myself to your ways as being
part of who you are.

i will embrace all of you.
the dark parts along with the light.
because, together,
those parts create the being that i love.

i will accept you,
respect you and admire you.
and if something comes between us
to make me stumble with this,
i will go to you and ask your help
with my struggle.

i will bring my challenges to you,
looking for your thoughts and support
and i will return that support to you freely.

when i'm hurt, i will believe in your love for me,
i will bring you my hurt,
and together we will grow from it
and then put it aside.

i will share all of myself with you,
for i know to receive your entire heart,
you must have mine.

together, we will work,
we will play,
we will laugh,
we will grieve,
and we will find our way.

together we will live gratitude
together we will touch love."