I Do, I Will
May 20th, 2009 by Nola
It’s wedding season here in New Orleans. We’ve been invited to not less than six weddings in six weeks. Some are the traditional New Orleans’ wedding: Cathedral ceremony and country club reception. And some are less traditional: all-in-one wedding/reception at a room in a local restaurant. And several in between: home ceremonies, French Quarter brunches, decadent escapades.
Tonight was the least frilly of them all. After all, it’s on a Wednesday night. Now, I am not a weepy gal. I didn’t get teary-eyed when I got engaged, when I learned I was pregnant, or at any wedding I have ever attended.
Until tonight. Ok, I am lying. I didn’t cry. But I did get teary-eyed. And that takes a lot. So what did it?
Well, the bride was a lot like me. She swore off marriage and kids just as I did. Until it was undeniable. And that raw emotion showed in her eyes. And her unsteady hands that had to be held by her beloved during the ceremony.
And the minister was superb. He called on us in attendance not only as witnesses to the marriage but as advocates of their marriage. So that when one of the spouses called on us in time, as they will as our friends, facing a rough spot, that it was our duty, OUR DUTY, to vie for the marriage. To rise against their walking out on the marriage as so many do nowadays.
Being married now, I always listen more intently at the exchanging of the vows.
Do you take this person, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, and to be true to in good times and in bad, and to seek no other.
Because when you are taking those vows, health and wealth and infidelity are far from your mind.
They should say, “Not if, but when, this person is sick, and you are too, and money is tight, because that day will come, and when it comes, do you still promise to forsake all others and be true to just this one?”
CS has engraved in French on his wedding band, “You and no other” for the days, and I am certain they exist, that he doubts our survival. It’s there as a reminder to both of us. We exchanged vows six years ago and I still feel complete devotion and commitment to those vows.
I do. I will.
Always.
Well done, and long may it continue.
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Beautiful.
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We engraved our wedding date in my husband’s band because otherwise, he would never know what it was. He’s terrible with numbers and dates, but wonderfully loyal in every other way. Thanks for sharing these lovely thoughts today.
Six weddings? Wow! That is a lot of cake.
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Yes!!! Always and forever. It takes work and patience, but I would have it no other way ~ 23 years next month.
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I love weddings. Fun ones anyway. Yeah, and occasionally the white trash ones, because those are funny. Part of it is that I love dressing up and celebrating.
Mostly though, the romantic in me just loves the idea that two people are willing to devote their lives to one another. Weddings are about hope. So few things are.
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I have 6 weddings this year…sucking me dry of money and dresses.
But deep down, I find the whole thing beautiful, even if I’m going to elope one day.
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One marriage ceremony we attended, the officiant used the word “agree” in place of “vow” or “promise.” I found it moving because it was more down to earth – it’s the same word, but without the rose colored glasses. It also focused on the fact that the wedding vows are about our future ACTIONS, rather that our future FEELINGS. And yes, they were both attorneys – how did you know?
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This was such a wonderful post. My friends just got married in Jan, on a Thurs night at Muriel’s. I found myself tearing up also. It was just something about being with friends, seeing our friends get married, and realizing exactly what we were witness to.
I love that CS engraved that in his ring. What a beautiful reminder.
6 ceremonies in 6 weeks sounds like a wedding marathon!
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