A few years ago, Michael and I went to a beautiful, seaside wedding off the coast of Maine.  Our friends had chosen the most spectacular setting on a bay overlooking islands, ferry boats, and late night fireworks.

During the ceremony, as Michael and I listened to the vows the bride and groom had written for each other, I was transported back in time to our own outdoor wedding many years earlier.

I smiled to myself as I recalled the day.

Hearts filled with good intentions…

The birth of a new family…

Promises to love, honor, and cherish no matter what…

Ahhhh, the innocence of early love.

But then life happens.

Before too long, you quickly discover that this magical mystery ride called “relationship” is filled with experiences you never in a million years could have planned for.

The vows break.

The music stops.

The honeymoon ends.

And that’s when the real commitment starts, ushering in the process of falling in love.  But only if you’re willing to do the work.

When the truth of what it means to build a life together unfolds, you soon realize that the best of intentions pales in comparison to what’s required for a partnership to flourish.

Nothing has forced me to grow more than my marriage to Michael.  And nothing has brought me more aliveness, meaning, and joy.

Staring at the silhouette of our friends against the summer sky, I thought about the vows I’d write today given the history, experience, and maturity gained from nearly twenty-five years of being together.

Here’s what the vows would sound like now:

First and foremost, I’d vow to do my best to remember that marriage is a spiritual partnership designed to teach us about love – how to love each other and ourselves.  I’d remember that our most intimate relationship becomes the foundation for how we learn to be more loving in all our relationships.

I’d promise to keep the higher vision of this partnership in mind, especially when things get hard.

Because they will.

During tough times, I’d vow to come to the table, heart in hand, ego checked at the door, ready to listen and learn, knowing that the greater good of our marriage is far more important than getting my way.

To support the above-mentioned vow, I’d commit to doing the personal work necessary to be able to show up in such a mature way.

I’d promise to create a habit of remembering five things I love about Michael before entering into scary and hard conversations that are sure to push our buttons.

I’d commit to always look for the role I play in any mess we happen to find ourselves in, and be willing to do what it takes to heal so I can become a more loving and respectful partner.

This healing work is rarely, if ever, done alone so I’d also commit to getting whatever help we need, too.

I’d vow to look for things, big and small, to appreciate about Michael every day – and to share this information with him because time has taught me that people grow with love and appreciation, not criticism and nastiness.

I’d commit to learning how to be big enough to admit when I’m wrong and to apologize even when I think I’m right.

(If the idea of apologizing even when you think you’re right bugs you, please go back to the first vow)  

I’d pledge to cultivate the necessary patience needed to travel the long, winding path of partnership so we’re not tempted to put Band-Aids on wounds that need surgery.

Finally, I’d vow to revisit these promises every year on our anniversary, in order to update them.

Because they’ll need it.

The evolution of any relationship requires regular upgrades to Love’s operating system .

xo Cheryl

P.S. – I’ll be taking over Louise Hay’s Facebook page on Monday, April 30^th at 6pm EST/3pm PST and you can find me here.

P.P.S. – There will be no Facebook Live session this week but you can watch previous sessions on my YouTube channel at CherylRichardsonTV here.

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