Writing our own vows was important to us and i’m so happy that we did. It’s such a special touch. However I must admit I haven’t re-read my vows in far too long. It definitely took me on a trip down memory lane and also led to me down a rabbit hole looking at wedding photos. Re-reading our vows is inspiring though and I want to start making it a tradition to read them every year with Darren on our anniversary.

Note to self – print photos from that special day for our new house.

Darren, 

Thank you for showing up. [pause for laughter]. To say that I am marrying the love of my life is an understatement. You are my rock, my shining light, and my best friend. I’m incredibly honored and humbled to be standing here in front of you today about to become your wife. 

For me this moment, our wedding, is about the road we took to get here, both separate and alone, and all the moments yet to come.

The journey before I met you wasn’t always easy, but it led me to you, and for that I wouldn’t change a single moment. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. 5 years ago when we met I had no idea what an incredible journey we were embarking on together. 

Our love story may not be one of “love at first site” but it’s our own, which makes it even better. I believe the story goes that you asked me out 8 times before finally getting a yes. You may have been chasing me in the beginning, but I’ve been chasing you ever since.

There were many moments during the first year we were dating where I thought you might be the one. There were also a few moments where I thought you might not be. The moment I started to fall in love with you came fairly early on. I think we were still “hanging out” and you invited me to your friend’s wedding. We were having a great time with the people at our table. Then the father daughter dance started. You were chatting with the person to your left and without skipping a beat you put your hand on my knee. The song ended as did your conversation with your neighbor and you leaned in and said “are you ok?”. Ever since that moment I felt safe, and secure, and ready to open my heart fully for the first time.

As I reflect on the 5 years that we’ve been together I think about all the challenges we’ve overcome, the tears, the laughter, the places we’ve traveled, the way we both grew up, but never grew apart. All of it brings me to tears. We’ve proved that with teamwork, love, and mutual respect we can overcome all obstacles and accomplish anything we put our minds to. 

Growing up my dad taught me to dream big. And I’ve always done exactly that, even when others told me it was impossible. I wish he could see me now. I never thought I’d meet someone who not only supports my craziest ideas, but who has dreams as big as mine and ideas that are even crazier. 

“It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone.”

This quote reminds me of us. I love that we both dare to be different and forge our own path. As I’m sure many people here today can attest to, we more often than not veer from the crowd.

Example who gets married outside in the middle of winter? On a Tuesday for that matter. Or when I moved in without you knowing and you didn’t figure it out for 6 months. Or you know that time we purposely got pregnant before our wedding.

But from this day forward you will never stand alone, as we will both veer from the norm together, like we have for the past 5 years. No matter how big the dream, how impossible it may seem, or how crazy I might think it is, I will be right there by your side. 

You are truly an incredible human being with a heart of gold and I respect you more than you will ever know. Thank you for all that you are and all that you do. Our life looks extravagant from the outside, and let’s face it sometimes it is. I have loved every adventure we’ve been on together, but some of my favorite moments are when we do nothing at all. I love that a perfect day for you includes your family and tacos. Lots of tacos. And some football. Your laugh is contagious and I promise to always laugh at your jokes, no matter how corny they might be.

Since day one you’ve supported me at every turn. You’ve loved me unconditionally. You have been my best friend, partner in crime (not real crimes of course), my mentor, playmate, confidant, and my greatest challenge. 

I saw a quote that said “it’s rare that reality is better than one’s ability to dream.” Before meeting you I would have probably agreed with this. Now looking at the life we’ve built I can’t believe it, but the reality is better than anything I could have ever imagined. You and the doggies, and our soon to be born son, make my heart more full than I ever thought possible.  

You are already the greatest doggy daddy in the world. I can’t wait until our son is born. I know that our little boy is going to look up to you and think you are the greatest dad in the whole world. If he can grow up to be half the man you are, I will be one proud mommy. Let’s just hope he has his mom’s sense of style, humor, general awesomeness and it goes without saying that i’ll handle teaching him to eat with a knife and fork. 

I am in absolute awe of the life we are building and can’t wait to see what the future holds.  I don’t know what I did to deserve this life, but I am eternally grateful. You are my absolute everything and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I promise to learn from the past, love you in the present, and cherish every moment the future holds. 

I promise to love you and our growing family unconditionally always and forever. 

Love,
Emily