Jeff's Vows To Donna


Jeff to Donna:

"I really wasn't looking for this, either. When I first found you, I told myself over and over again, that you couldn't be the one and yet I couldn't shake off the desire to get to know you in a deeper and more personal way. By the time we actually met face to face, I had no doubts that indeed you, Donna, were the partner I had been searching for.

A peace deeper than any I've ever felt surrounded my thoughts and feelings for you. For the first time in my life, I experienced a true peace which could only be from God. I didn't know how and when things would come together, but knew deep inside that we were meant to be.

Out of confusion in facing two open doorways, you tried to push me away. You tried to offend me. You did everything you could to make me back down, but I had no recourse but to stand firm. My arms remained open with love for you, patiently waiting for you to make the right choice and find peace in my embrace. I argued with you as best I could to convince you that my embrace would give you rest. I didn't hold you back or force your hand, but left the decision up to you as to which path you would choose.

I saw beyond your confusion, beyond your pushing and beyond your wanting me to go away. I saw a frightened little girl from Pifo searching for peace and wanting her life back. I saw a pearl which had been cast away, but worth a great price. I saw you, Donna, a great treasure, standing before me, holding the keys to two very different doorways.

All I could do was unlock my door and swing it open wide so you could get a glimpse of what was inside. You held the key, but no longer needed it. My arms remained open, waiting for you to finally step inside.

Now that you have...

I, Jeff, in the presence of our family and friends, choose you, Donna, to be my wife, spouse and partner from this time forward.

... to love you for the rest of your life.

... to share everything with you.

... to talk to you about our ideas, our dreams, the little every day things that make us laugh, and the not-so-little things that we can't help worrying about.

... to give you my love as a place you can always come to for acceptance, or the simple comfort that silence brings, when things left unspoken can still be understood.

... to grow old with you

... to watch our lives unfold, our dreams, one by one, come true

I will cherish and protect you:

... I will treat you with respect and deference

... I will build a life with you, blessed by faith in God

... I will celebrate your accomplishments and support and encourage you in your personal growth

... I will nourish you with my gentleness and uphold you with my strength

... I will weigh the effects of the words I speak and of the things I do

... I will never take you for granted, but always give thanks for your presence.

I offer you today, the one gift that no one else can offer:

I offer you my love."