Before the day progressed further, her heart compelled to once again view the video tape. As she pushed it into the machine she said to herself, "I must transfer this to DVD before it gets ruined."
Though she had viewed the video eight times over the last five months, she viewed the ceremony as if it was her first time. Each time she noticed something new.
The camera zoomed past the bride and groom to focus upon Ken, the bride's brother, a local judge and elder in his church. His baritone voice deliberately articulated the words. His cadence was measured and rhythmic.
Ken: "We are gathered in this home in the sight of God to affirm the marital union of Joseph and Nancy. Twenty-two years ago today, before family and friends this couple exchanged their vows love and have since lived as one in their hearts. We who are gathered here are able to attest that Joe and Nan have sought the best for the other. Each has given their best to and for the other. As love is dynamic, so has been their relationship."
"Today we have been invited to witness the affirmation of their vows. Over the last twenty-two years Nan and Joe have evolved and changed. Though their vows today will have similarity to those articulate on their wedding day, recognizing the dynamic nature of their lives and marriage Nan and Joe have rightly modified and added to their original vows."
To the couple: "Are you as nervous about this as I?" Ken asked nervously. Nan and Joe both nodded. Taking a breath the bride's brother continued, "Are you willing to affirm your vows? Do you each solemnly declare that you are affirming your vows freely with the purest of love's intent?"
At the same time and looking at each other they said, "Yes."
Addressing Joe, Ken continued: "You took this beautiful woman to be your wife, to live with her, to love her and protect her from harm as much as your ability provided. You took her to be your friend, lover and life partner. You took Nancy to be the mother of children."
"Joe, will you continue to love, comfort and honor her? Will you affirm to be faithful to her in body and soul? Will you sustain her personhood, respect her personal dignity and encourage her personal growth as long as you both shall live?"
Joe held his wife's hands and gazed longingly into her blue eyes. As the camera focused upon his face with his tearing eyes, Joe replied clearly and confidently, "yes. Nancy you are the wife of my youth. You have honored me by being my wife. I have never regretted having you as my partner. You have graciously loved and cared for me beyond my youthful dreams and expectations. You are my best friend, my confident and the lover. My greatest desire and joy is found in living each day with you. I want nothing less than to be at your side as we grow old and grey. With my dying breadth your name will be spoken with reverence and love."
After a moment of silence, with a shaking voice Ken started to speak to Nancy: "Nancy, you took this man to be your husband, to live with him, to love Joe and protect him from harm as much as your ability provided. You took Joe into your heart and bosom to be the father of your children. Will you continue to affirm him, comfort and honor him? Will you affirm to be faithful to him in body and soul? Will you sustain his personhood, respect his personal dignity and encourage his personal growth as long as you both shall live?"
Nancy shifted momentarily. The camera caught her with a brief yet familiar look of pain. She closed her eyes for several seconds before breathing deeply and speaking sweetly clearly for all to hear: "Most definitely yes. My dearest, the best choice I ever made in my youth was to allow you to woo me and to take my hand in marriage. You have not only been my lover, but you have been my confident, my rock and best friend. You encouraged me to hone my professional knowledge and skills. You willing sacrificed your time and life so that I could have an opportunity to grow and flourish. Many of the most precious moments have been when we have sat together arm in arm before our fireplace just talking. Many others have been when we have been intimate with each other. My Dearest, you have been the lover of my youthful dreams, and then some. Our intimacy has not been only a sexual joy but a powerful life affirming means for us to proclaim the strength and beauty of love. My last breath will utter forth my love for you and as my soul departs my body, it will depart with joy for being the center of your love and life."
As she finished the camera pulled back to briefly scan the faces of those who were gathered. Several females were quietly fighting back the tears. Terri, their twenty year old daughter had lost the battle. Two streams flowed from Terri's eyes as her head rested upon the shoulder of Will, her fiancΓ©.
The camera moved slowly back to Ken as he addressed Ken: "Ken, please repeat after me."
"Upon my honor I call upon these persons here present to witness that I affirm my deepest desire to have you Nancy as my wedded wife, to cherish you with self-sacrificial love each day of my life, to be by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in times of plenty and want, and in times of health and illness. I have worn your golden ban as a continual symbol to myself and all that I am yours and you are mine. I seek only your happiness and fulfillment. My Love, you are forever in my heart."
Ken turned to Nancy and asked her: "Nan, please repeat after me."
"Upon my honor I call upon our family and friends present to witness that I affirm my deepest desire to have you Joe as my wedded husband, to cherish you with self-sacrificial love each day of my life, to seek your fulfillment each day of my life, to be by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in times of plenty and want, in times of health and illness. I have worn your golden ban as a continual symbol of to myself and all that I am yours and you are mine. I seek only your happiness and fulfillment. My Dearest, you are forever the love of my life you, I will continue to cherish, honor and adore you as the love of my life. My greatest desire is nothing short of your happiness and fulfillment until your last breadth."
The camera then pulled back from Nancy's moist eyes. In the silence of the room people fighting tears could be detected in the background.