Fruit and flowers

Today is our fourth wedding anniversary. I'm even more commited to spending a lifetime with Mark today than I was on my wedding day.

To commemorate that occasion I'm posting one of the readings from our ceremony and our vows.

The vows of Mark and Nicole Eggerts, recited in unison on October, 18, 2002
Before our friends and family, I affirm the relationship we share.
I affirm the past, which prepared us for each other.
I affirm the present, this day when we stand united.
And I affirm our future, when we will adjust to life’s changes together.
I promise you my love and respect at each step.
I will strive to be my best, because you deserve no less.
I pledge to help you be your best.
I thank you for choosing me to love, support and comfort.
I take you as my partner, to celebrate life with you forevermore.

This is a passage adapted from Still Life with Woodpecker, a novel by Tom Robbins.

"Leigh-Cheri sent this message to Bernard: 'The most important thing is love. I know that now. There's no point in saving the world if it means losing the moon. I'm not quite twenty, but, thanks to you, I've learned something that many women these days never learn: Prince Charming really is a toad. And the Beautiful Princess has halitosis. The bottom line is that (a) people are never perfect, but love can be, (b) that is the one and only way that the mediocre and the vile can be transformed, and (c) doing that makes it that. Loving makes love. Loving makes itself. We waste time looking for the perfect lover instead of creating the perfect love. Wouldn't that be the way to make love stay?'

The next day, she received this reply:

'Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free.'"

I love you, Mark.