Lord-Black Wedding Vows

The Declaration is signed. Here, we'll be listing our wedding vows for you all to see (and keep track of).

Our Vows to Each Other

1. I promise to take you as my lawful wedded <spouse>.
2. I promise to love, respect, and honor you as my friend, my lover, and my confidant.
3. I promise to take care of myself so I will always be there when you need me.
4. I promise to always remember that your love is a gift which I will never take for granted and I will always work to be worthy of that gift.

Our Community Vows

These first vows are the ones that were proposed by the community prior to the ceremony that we accepted.

1. Take a picnic/cookout (at least) once every 3 months. Don't forget to bring a frisbee! Joe Sandstrom
2. A suggestion I have given many friends over the years goes like this... Establish one evening a week which is surprise night. Now, each of you make a list, or have an established place for your individual lists and you alternate each week Sam picking from Kathleen's list, Kathleen picking from Sam's list. Now this can be anything you want on the list... some friends have used it for very passionate things... others to get the bathroom painted but the concept is that you never really know everything the other wants and this surprise night affords each of you the chance to execute one of these inner wishes for the other. Enjoy, and be as happy this day as you will each day together. Susan Giusto
3. I don't know about suggestions for vows, but I will take this opportunity to present a thought to the bride and groom. It is not like you don't know this already, but I hope by sharing my thoughts here, I share who I am and what I think is important for a relationship to succeed. I remember my first husband said: what's hard about being nice when things are going well? When we parted, we made a vow to hold our daughter's well being above all else; who else loved her more than us? So, my suggestion is to always view your beloved with their best interest at heart. It's kind of like yoga/meditation: keep gently coming back to the center. At the center is your beloved's best interest. Michelle LaFantasie
4. We vow not to argue between 6&7 pm - when we are tired and hungry and in need of some down time right after getting home from work. Anything worth arguing about will wait - anything else is just noise. Dan Hyde & Janet Driver
5. Remember every day to show kindness to each other. To show kindness to a stranger, friend, or family member. To remember kindness is the basis of growth. Shelly Simonin
6. Listen with not just my ears, but with my heart, to what my partner's heart is saying, not just their mouth. Hold your hands and look into your eyes after a hard day or after a disagreememt with the same passion and tenderness as on the first day we discovered our love. M. Melanie Peters
7. A marriage is two people as one. You are a team. That means that once you become one you have to think as a team. It takes more than one person to voice the problems, state the issues and make the decisions. If any one partner is making the decisions without the other partners consent -- that person is not playing on the same team or even the same game. That person is playing solitaire. I would recommend that you vow to consult with each other before making any decision that would affect the team. Michelle Foster
8. For politeness, this vow is written as a metaphor. When you want to reach the peak of a mountain, there are times that you may not get to the top. Promise that there will be times that you do not try to attain the climax. Instead, spend some time wandering along enjoying the scenery but not going anywhere in particular, then wander back down together. Promise to each other that intimacy will never be frustrating, that it will be about the path and not the goal, and that it will always be a joy. And may you one day climb Mount Everest. Cynthia "Kiki" Pettit
9. Promise to go on a date once a month. This can be as elaborate as a romantic getaway weekend to as simple as a simple dinner at home with no outside distractions. Remember to spend time together to maintain that bond. Promise to give the other that which you need most in the relationship. If you need hugs, give hugs. If you need understanding in a disagreement, give understanding. Bonus points for giving more than you need. R. Scott Bartlett
10. Don't lose yourself in your marriage. Be sure to continue doing those things that made you the person you are now. Cynthia "Kiki" Pettit
11. When we communicate, it is with more than words... Be sure to try to understand the whole message. (And be sure to hold hands as you grow old together.) R.P. and Jennifer Withington
12. As you take this walk together, your paths may intersect, they may parallel, or they may sometimes seem far apart. Be sure you are following your path and you both will enjoy the journey. Katherine Williamson
13. Always, always have faith in each other and you won't get lost from each other. Peggy Madison
14. Never go to sleep angry. Freda Black
15. Give yourselves vacations. Just the two of you, and enjoy the journey. Maryann Hrichak

Rejected Vows

This is the one vow that was proposed by the community that we rejected.

1. Sleep in separate beds, à la Ozzie and Harriet. Plan a once-a-year "get-together". Avi Black

Community Vows (continued)

These first vows are the ones that were proposed by the community after the ceremony. We accepted them all.

1. Never sleep in separate beds. Plan a once-a-year "apart time". Richard Thompson
2. Never part without telling the other that you love them. Vicki Wilson
3. When times are good and when times are hard, say a "little prayer". Kim Coleman
4. You will abide by the following movie viewing rules:
   1. For every movie you watch that your partner has no interest in, you will watch a movie of your partner's choice.
   2. You will not complain about the movie you did not wish to watch until afterwards.
   Jason Topolski and Ingrid Stohl
5. Each day, take a moment to look at your life partner... and remember... this is it. (If you're away - on the road... take a moment to listen - to think... to love.) Rebecca Stockley
6. Enjoy! Don't hog the covers! Estelle Johnson