A New View of Vow Renewal

I finally get it now – why couples renew their vows. Prior to marriage, even during years one, two, and three, it made no sense to me. We already took a vow, and we’re still married. Our wedding vows are framed and hanging in our bedroom as a daily reminder, so why renew?

Because if I could go back to our wedding day, knowing what I do four years later, I’d have so much more to say to you.

I’d tell you how absolutely immeasurably proud I am to be your wife. On our wedding day I was proud as well, of course, but that was nothing compared to how I feel now. Watching you become the world’s greatest father. Witnessing the grace with which you handled being a police officer in 2020. And now, being blown away by your adaptability and willingness to pivot careers for your family. I am simply in awe of you.

I’d thank you for being my gravity – the force that always keeps me grounded. You have this incredible ability to both indulge my dreams and keep me in the realm of reality. You trust me to take charge, yet you know when I need you to step in. You are my compass, pointing me back to true north when I’ve lost my way.

I’d cry during our first dance the way I cried when I danced with my dad. On our wedding day I wasn’t prepared for how thankful I’d be for you in four short years. I never thought I could respect another man quite as much as I respect my dad…not even my husband. I guess I thought my heart couldn’t expand to the level of holding more than one person in such high regard. Now being your wife, and being a mother, I’ve learned the elasticity of my heart. It grows with every year we are married. With every child we have. With every challenge we face together and conquer.

I’ve learned that while wedding vows are a beautiful promise, the anthem of your marriage is written over the years. We’ve had moments in harmony and moments out of tune, but the song in our hearts remain the same year after year. We are two souls on one beautiful journey together.

As I finish writing this, with tears fueled by gratitude and hormones falling, Your Song by Elton John comes on. What a perfect way to sum up my “vow renewal” to you, Austin.

I hope you don’t mind

I hope you don’t mind

That I put into words

How wonderful life is while you’re in the world (and my husband)