To my darling future wife, I love you with more warmth and tenderness than I ever knew I’d be able to possess. On our wedding day, these will be my vows to you:
1. Let us always keep wandering.
We will never stop exploring, adventuring and discovering. Let us never have our curiosity dampened or allow our fears to better our spirit. Let us never be attached to material possessions and be ready to move on whenever we feel the universe pull us to a different corner of the world.
You are my home, not whatever brick and mortar house we dwell in for the moment.
2. Let us always make time to talk.
If there are troubles and problems (and I’m sure there will be many), let us be able to talk about it openly and directly. There will be no passive aggressiveness or dwelling on actions; we are both human and are both proficient at making mistakes.
Let us understand that and communicate any issues that arise – because with communication our connection can only grow stronger.
3. Let us always be honest with each other.
We are not infallible, we are no saints, to put it bluntly, we’ve both had our fair share of f*ck ups, individually and as one. Let us be honest about those mistakes, and let us be honest with what troubles us. Lies only harbour resentment, and fears will only grow when hidden in the dark.
Let us shed light on those fears and extinguish them together, with no judgement or evasion. Being honest with each other keeps us honest with ourselves.
4. Let us remember that the moments to be serious are only 1% of the time.
When we know we need to be serious, we’ll be serious. If we are injured or facing trouble, we’ll put on our thinking caps and stern faces and deal with what needs to be dealt with.
For the rest of the time, let us remember that life is for living and playing and having fun. Don’t hold back, don’t fear judgement, let’s always remember to be our silly, ridiculous selves.
5. Let us always experiment together.
Comfort zones dull our senses, our ambitions, and our spirits. Let us always be mindful of that and aspire to push, pull and drag ourselves into movement and adventure. Let’s try things we’re squeamish of, let’s explore places we’re unsure of and let’s experiment with what the world gives us.
If it doesn’t work, or the result isn’t what we imagined, never worry, because we will still have each other, and that’s all that matters.
6. Let us remember that we will always be a team (the best team).
From now until forever, we are a team. You’ve got my back and I’ve got yours, and this holds true no matter what. We will constantly look out for each other, constantly help each other up, always be that person to lean on, and always carry the other over the finish line.
Individually we are great, but together we are unstoppable.
7. Let us never stop giving.
To our friends, to our family, and to each other. Be it a roof over their head, some clothes we know they’ll like, or just being there to spend some time with them. We will always give and never with animosity or hesitation. We will give generously and with clear thought.
Because giving part of our lives to the ones we love is a cornerstone of humanity and friendship.
8. Let us always have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
We will forever be students and teachers, learning from one another, and taking lessons from life. Let us never stop learning, let us never stop reading, and listening and searching for information and knowledge.
Our heads can never be full, there is no limit on what we can know and no limit on what more we learn. The more we can absorb the better understanding we shall have for the universe.
9. Let us always be sociable.
There are times for snuggles on the sofa and lazy days spent in bed. There are times for adventure and exploration where we see no souls but ourselves as we venture out together, and there are times when we embrace our friends and family and share with them the wonderful life we have created.
Let us not forget to be sociable, because it is easy to stay isolated from the world when our own existence is so blissful. Let us always have an open door, a place to crash, and a home to share.