My dear sweet Liam,
I have imagined this moment many many times since we got engaged, each time with a smile on my face, because there is nothing more exciting to me than the idea of being able to spend the rest of my life with you. How did I get so lucky.
In preparation to write my vows, I thought a lot about how we got here. And even though we met in 2018, I think our story actually begins much earlier than that, in 2001, when I wrote in my journal about “the Perfect Guy.”
According to my 12-year old self, my perfect guy must:
Have captivating eyes, nice hair, and a cute smile
Be taller than me
Be intelligent and “have a brain of his own”
Have similar interests as me but still be open-minded
Be talented, honest, sensitive and sweet, and have a good attitude
My 12-year old self also believed, in all caps, that he MUST be good looking
But most importantly, he must be kind and like me for me
Since the very beginning I have felt seen by you. I love that no topic of conversation is off the table - whether we’re debating the inevitabilities of human behavior or imagining the inner monologues of our dogs, I love that you never leave me stranded within a line of thought or self-inquiry. You are always right there with me, curious and searching, as we inspire each other to perceive the world in new ways.
I am the person I am today because of how your love has shaped me. If I am kind, if I am generous, if I am compassionate, it is because your best traits have rubbed off on me. I am so excited to build the future we’ve dreamt up together, one measured by love, adventure, and being of service to others.
Sometimes I wonder - did I manifest you? Conjure you up out of thin air? Because how else to explain this moment, standing across from you, making the commitment to weather all of the joys and challenges of life with a man who previously only existed in my dreams.
I have felt surprisingly calm in the days leading up to this moment. I thought making eternal promises would feel bigger, scarier, but I should have known better - everything has always been so easy with you.
I promise to bring as much levity and laughter as you have brought into my life
I promise to be your #1 fan for every story you tell, on screens and streaming services both big and small
I can’t promise I’ll ever love camping as much as you do, but I promise to try!
I promise to keep the wonder alive as long as possible, to keep that sparkle of excitement when we reunite after a few days apart
I promise to be open and communicative when the aftershocks of life shake and shift the ground beneath us; to hold space for you during tough times, when being in silence is enough
I promise to love you and to receive the many ways that you show your love to me, whether it’s making me breakfast in the mornings or patiently listening to me wax poetic
Now if I’m being honest, you are not the “Perfect Guy” that my 12-year old self pictured all those years ago. Because you are so much better than I ever could have imagined, and I promise to never take your love for granted.