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Erin, my love, Twice in our relationship, first in New Zealand and again during our proposal, I told you about an exciting yet seemingly impossible truth, that nevertheless I was absolutely certain of: that I would somehow love you even more in the future than I did in that moment. It seemed unfathomable, given how much I loved you already, but it brought me so much transcendent joy knowing that together we would find out how this love could keep reaching greater and greater heights. Now it's our wedding day, and my love for you is deeper than ever before, and my excitement for our life and love together is at its known peak, with higher heights on the horizon. As guide posts on that path, I have a few vows to you that I promise with my whole heart. (continued below)
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Marc, When our paths first crossed over ten years ago (and even a few times after that), who would've thought this is where we'd be standing today. I am so happy that we finally found our way to each other. From our days getting to know each other on Lancaster Street to sharing a tent as we biked our way across a country, this has been an incredible journey, and I am so grateful to have you by my side. I love what a thoughtful partner you are, and the way you make me laugh. I love the way your brain works and your curiosity about the world around you. I love your compassion and kindness towards everyone you meet. I love the life we are building together, and I can't wait to take this next step with you. (continued below)
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I vow to be an unshakeable foundation for you, to be your person in this world that you can know with absolute certainty will support you and cherish you. I vow to keep your life full of laughter and light and surprise. I vow to wrap our lives so fully and totally in love that each day's joys and challenges are appreciated for the gifts that they are. I give you the one vow above all others, to treasure you completely for the rest of our days. This week it was my Grandma and Papa's wedding anniversary, and my Grandma shared with me the last anniversary card he had written to her, transcribed by my Aunt Jenny when he could no longer write. He said, "If I had to relive my life, I would marry you again and again, Happy Anniversary to my love. Yours always and forever." (continued below)
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Our rings say "happy days and happy nights." Today I choose to commit myself to you and to our life together, through not only the happy days and happy nights, but through the sad days and the tough nights, through the mundane moments and the joyous milestones, and through everything in between. I promise to always love you, to have your back (and your front and your sides and your top and your bottom) as we go through life together. I promise to share my thoughts, hopes, and ideas with you, and to always listen to yours with an open mind. I promise to build a home with you that is full of warmth, friendship, and community. Marc Bernard Loeffke, here in this beautiful place surrounded by loved ones, I take you to be my husband, and I promise to be your loving wife, now and forevermore.
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If right now I could relive my life again and again, I would come back right here to this moment. And from this moment, I look forward to the rest of our lives, knowing the strongest truth I know, that I can't wait to keep loving you more and more every single day. So, Erin Lee Convery, here in this beautiful place surrounded by loved ones, I take you to be my wife, and promise to be your loving husband, now and forevermore.
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