I Do, I Did, I Will

When Nate and I were engaged we were so excited about our up and coming wedding that we had this running joke where any time one of us would start off any question with "Do you...," or "Will you...," the other would quickly interrupt with an abrupt "I do!!!"  As if there was no other question in the world that mattered but the one that would be asked while in the midst of our wedding ceremony, proclaiming our vows to each other.  Now that the wedding has happened, we still keep the joke going except for now instead of just interrupting with "I do!!!," we interrupt with "I do!!!  I did!!!  I will!!!"  It's a silly thing we do and we do it for a laugh and a smile from each other, but we also truly mean it.  When we said our vows at our wedding, they weren't vows that we meant just for that day.  We intend to remember those vows and to be fully committed to them for the rest of our lives together.  Here are the vows we will keep:

Nate:
I promise to lead you in the ways of the Lord.
I promise to love you and you alone with all of my heart
I promise to live with you in riches and in rags, in sickness and in health, until death separates us.

Rayleigh:
I promise to submit to you in the ways of the Lord.
I promise to share my love with you whole-heartedly and exclusively.
I promise to stay with you in riches and in rags, in sickness and in health, until death separates us.

Some thoughts that Nate and I want to be constantly reminded of are that if Nate is following the Lord and doing his best to lead me down the right path, it will be a lot easier for me to submit to his leadership.  I'll want to because I'll enjoy the protection and provision that comes along with that.  How comforting to snuggle under the protection of his wings!  Also, if Nate loves me and lets me feel his love, giving me full acceptance and warmth, I can trust my whole heart with him and not hold any of myself back.  My heart can stay soft and giving and loving.  These are the things we pray for.