Does it sound like anything is missing from the phrase “to love and to cherish?” If you ask me, it's the word… respect. To Love, Respect, and to Cherish is a much more balanced picture of what should be shared between a husband and wife. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. The Bible clearly tells men to love their wives. Why? Because it is not natural for men to love. … [Read more...]

There is something so sweet about watching a man care for his wife in her hour of need. For the past few days, I've been able to observe this first hand as someone dear to me is slowly recovering from surgery. Her husband has been by her side constantly (except for the few hours he's been required to work each day) and has gently held her, rubbed her forehead, spoken gently to her, and been her greatest advocate. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in … [Read more...]

These little four words in the vow have huge consequences. Unless you were raised in poverty, you don't go into marriage expecting to be poorer (or, at least much poorer than your current standard of living). If anything, you have visions of a nice house or perhaps a luxury apartment, well-dressed children, and even well-groomed pets. I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us … [Read more...]

What do you think of when this part of the wedding vows is repeated? Do different scenarios of better and worse situations come to your mind or does your mind glaze over because you have heard this vow repeated time and time again your entire life? I, (name), take you (name), to be my lawfully wedded (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part. Take a minute to think about it. What are some life happenings that would be considered … [Read more...]

Let me first admit that when it came to this portion of the wedding vow, I was stumped. I tried doing research on this phrase and did not get anywhere. Later that day, Eric came into the computer room and I shared my frustration with him. I told him that I just didn't know how to break down this part of the vow. Then he grinned at me… He said, “You really don't know? What do you think it means to have someone?” That's when the light bulb popped on. To have someone is for that person to be yours – intimately. For someone to have you is for you to belong to them. This means that I am committing … [Read more...]