Ohhhhh do I have some good stuff to share with you over the next few weeks/months. This year has gone by in the most beautiful whirlwind, that's the best way I can explain it. Kicking off the blog posts is such a lovely wedding. Markie & Darrin have been dating for 11 years, so their wedding day was completely emotional and love filled. A huge thank you to Julia for helping photograph the day. Their vows had every single person in tears, and I'm honored they allowed me to share pieces below:
Darrin's vows:
Today, we focus on something else, the future, and more importantly, how we continue to carry each other. But rather than asking you a question, I get to do something much more important. I get to make a vow. A vow to you, to us, to the future us (however many that may be?) and even their future, making their own "Us".
I vow to be faithful.
Not just faithful to you and our family that we build together, but faithful in the greater sense of the word. The kind of faith I have learned from you over all these years, when you didn't even know you were teaching me. Faith that helps us not to worry, because God has it all figured out with a greater purpose in mind. Faith that has kept us together and made us stronger through all these years. Faith that has kept my brother and your mother alive and with us today. Faith that nurtures are pain when those we love pass on. Faith in a better future. Faith in God and that he will never give us more than we can handle. And finally, faith in one another. That unwavering trust in each other that gives us the strength we need to take on this world, together.
I vow to honor and celebrate you.
You are, without a doubt, the most amazing person I will ever know. I will prove that and honor you everyday in some way shape or form. Whether it's rubbing your feet after a long day in the pharmacy, staying up way past bedtime to talk about something totally random that I don't understand, or sneaking you more French Fries while you go wash your hands because I know how much you love them. I'll celebrate being with you. Celebrate waking up with you every morning and falling asleep beside you every night. I'll celebrate you even when we're apart and count down the days until I see that beautiful smile again. I promise to find new ways, everyday, to show how grateful I am that we have each other.
Last, but most important, I vow to love you.
To love you in every context of the word. Unconditional love that pays no mind to how good or bad a situation might be. Love in sickness, which we've both witnessed over the years and seen the commitment and strength it takes. Love in health. A "laugh until it hurts your face" love. A "you should be crying because I'm crying" love. An "angry and frustrated" love. A "I don't really want to watch this but I'll sit through it because it makes them happy" love. A love that's gets tested, but always comes out stronger. The list goes on and on but it never ends. That's the beauty of an unending love, we get to spend the rest of our lives learning it and adding to it. I am beyond excited and so blessed to keep loving you.
I vow to do all of these and more, not because I know you will do the same, but because you and I are the same. Your happiness is my happiness, your pain is my pain, your faith is my faith, your hope is my hope, and your love is my love.
I love you Lea Markie Webster, with every part of me, and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together.
Markie's vows:
Darrin,
I have pictured this day since I was a little girl. The small details might have been a little blurry back then, but I always knew what the most important detail would hold. I knew the man waiting for me at the end of the aisle would be funny, kind-hearted, thoughtful, genuine, and handsome. I always had a list in my head of all the qualities the perfect husband would have, and I just knew I wouldn't settle for anything less. What I didn't know was that he would come into my life when I was only 15 years old and change it forever. I didn't know that he would make me feel like I've never felt before. I didn't know that he would laugh at all my stupid jokes, always give me the last French fry, and put up with all my ridiculous antics. I didn't know he would make life so fun and exciting. I didn't know that he would be there for me during the hardest times of my life, wiping my tears and picking me up off the floor when it didn't seem like life could go on and at my happiest times, cheering me on every step of the way. I didn't know that he would be the one person in this world who would truly see and know me for all that I am and still love me. But you do. You do all of these things so well. And for that I am so very thankful. You are the most amazing person I have ever known - the true definition of selfless, humble, and patient. You are everything I could ever want or need. I vow to spend the rest of my life trying to show you the same love and grace you show me every day. I vow to love you through every triumph and trial. From the blissful, perfect days when we feel invincible to the long, hard days when things aren't going how we planned, I will never give up on us. I even promise to consider letting you have the last French fry every now and then. I have prayed for this day and this moment that I finally get to call you my husband, and here we are. It's been an amazing journey to get to this point and I can't wait for all the adventures that lie ahead of us. Darrin, from this day on, you are my husband and I will love you forever.
