Vows
Carli
Bride
Eric -- Since the day we met, you have continued to intrigue me, day in and day out. I admire your generosity, your self-awareness and the ease by which you make me laugh from my depths. Over the past six years of our relationship, you encouraged and helped me to grow as a person... and I thank you for introducing me to a world that includes cheese plates, tartare... and even octopus too! Your kind and gentle heart has brought an infinite amount of joy into my life, as evidenced by your giant bear hugs, your determination to genuinely surprise me, and your endless support of my passions and aspirations.
Eric
Groom
I love you. If you don't hear another word for the next 12 minutes... (I am kidding, Carli!)... for the next 2 minutes, I want you to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I do very much love you. As I wondered what to write in my vows, I struggled to pinpoint the "one thing" that I love the most about us. Candidly, I think that's a good thing because it shows our relationship has depth, and is forever growing, forever evolving. But, there are a few rock solid pillars that run so deep, that without them, "we" wouldn't be "us." The first, most immediate aspect has to be joy. Simply put, Carli, you bring joy to my life! There are so many moments to point to. When I hear your morning grunts when you aren't awake enough to form words, there is joy.
Carli
Continued
As we step into forever, I pledge to respect you both as an individual and as my partner. I commit to bringing my best self to our family, to maintaining honest communication, to learning and compromising when our viewpoints differ, and to never going to bed angry. In the mornings, I'll always tell you about my wildest dreams. I promise to trust, to care for, and to support you through every valley and over every peak that we encounter. All of our remaining seasons will surely be adventures, but fortunately, we enjoy those -- and we have the best support system we could ask for.
Eric
Continued
When I see how unabashedly excited you become the minute ice cream is mentioned, there is definitely joy. When we are driving and you put your hand on mine and just smile, there is joy. Carli, I will do everything in my power to bring joy to your life. I'll bring you flowers, but never on your birthday. I'll watch Christmas movies with you in July. And I'll always carry an extra chapstick in my car. The next thing I love most about our relationship is how we support one another. Because without support, the joy we feel has no foundation. Some days, tough days, I feel our connection strongest through the support we share for one another.
Carli
Continued
Eric, you are my favorite person to socialize with. You are my permanent +1. You are my best friend. You have my heart and I vow to love you for the rest of our lives, as I love you today.
Eric
Continued
I will be the person you can turn to when things don't look so clear, when vendors complain to you about their booth location and even when you just need someone to vent to. The last is honesty. I have always felt like I can be honest with you even, and especially, when it's uncomfortable. I'll never forget being at your apartment in Greenwood the day my granddad passed away. That day we had been together for all of 12 hours, just coming off our study abroad trips, and hadn't seen each other in over half a year. Didn't matter. In that moment of raw honesty, you showed me grace. You showed me someone who cares without asking anything in return. Carli, you don't have to ask. I will give you all that I have. I love you, Carli. Here's to you, here's to me, here's to us and what we can be.