Vows

As part of We Do Too: Life, Love, and Unions I've asked gay couples who have taken vows to send them to me so I can share them with visitors to the exhibition. I decided to include vows when I was asking some of my straight friends what they would want to see in an exhibition on this topic. Vows kept popping up. They didn't think gay couples took them. Below are vows that were sent to me yesterday by two guys I don't even know--Rob and Tyler. I was so touched by their pledges to one another I wanted to share them. Their ring vows are based on Song of Songs 8:6-7.

RING VOWS:
Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your hand.
For our love is as strong as death,
our passion fierce as the grave.
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
a raging flame.
Much water cannot quench our love,
neither can floods drown it.
If I were offered a nation's wealth in exchange for your love,
I would utterly scorn it.


ROB'S VOWS:

Tyler,

I'll never forget that first night - sitting across the table from you - not able to keep my eyes off your beautiful eyes and smile. I stared at you and repeated the same mantra, "I'm not going to get involved with anyone." But you had different plans.

That's why, a month later when I finally admitted we were dating, I was dating a friend.

So, today, I promise you, as my spouse, my partner, and my friend, all my love; I promise to be with you, to hold your hand and smile every time you write a beautiful poem; to walk side by side on every doggy date, keeping you safe; to hold you close to me as we sing our songs to God; to cry with you when we have our daily struggles; I promise to you my support and
commitment as we become a family; and I promise all of my heart, all of my body, and all my love forever;

I love you.


TYLER'S VOWS:

Rob, God brought us together. And, I don't know how it's happened, but when you're with me, I feel like more than twice a man; and when we're apart, I am only half.

So, Rob, today I offer you my heart, promising my unconditional love, always.

I offer you my body, promising my faithfulness to you alone.

And, I offer you my mind, promising my present help in all you do.

Let nothing but death separate me from you, my one with which I am one.

They have a website of their ceremony which is equally sweet. Click here to pay them a visit.