June is my wedding anniversary. We all have special days celebrated differently than the public ones, like Memorial Day just passed or July 4th fast approaching. This includes religious holidays often celebrated for their real purpose, or simply due to cultural habits and customs.
Most seem sentimental, and probably none so much as anniversaries. My husband and I repeat exchanging our vows annually. Still whether expressing love for a spouse, neighbor, community or (selected) countrymen, it’s a benefit for our spirit to stop and take time to enmesh ourselves in it.
Interestingly, when recently combing through my closet to get down our memory box and review the words of our vows, I realized that much of it could be extrapolated beyond just the love of two. At this time in the U.S., when the hate muscles get so much more of a workout than those of kindness, I hoped it might be valuable to share some gentler expressions. Many of the phrases that express love that’s closer to home and family, can also offer compassion farther afield as well.
If we can do this, we should consider ourselves lucky.
Personal Celebrations
I’ve taken the liberty to pick and choose a few sections from our vows. At times I amended them in tiny (or not-so-tiny) ways, deleting much and changing pronouns to address love which can go beyond just two. Since we originally wrote them, I figure this is fair game.
Admittedly, as written here it is not as romantic as the original version, but that’s not the goal of the post. This is to let us – even if momentarily – feel some love in our hearts that we can spread like seeds to grow more kindness.
Life has taught us that love does not consist of gazing at each other,
but in looking outward together in the same direction.
— Antoine de Saint-Exupery
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
We come together as witnesses to the happiness which we find in others and to pledge to each other the mutual service of our common life.
This simple celebration is the outward token of a sacred and inward union of hearts, a union created by loving purpose and kept by an abiding will.
As we find union with one another, we proclaim that union today and pledge its future.
Stand fast in hope and confidence, believing in yourselves and believing in each other. When giving oneself and sharing with another, the mysterious process of growth can take place. In this spirit you can create partnerships and relationships which will strengthen you and give new hope and strength to all who love you.
We rejoice together that we will continue to find deeper meaning and richness of human life in sharing it with others.
From Lighting of the Candles
May the Light of the world offer you all your own light,
which when united together will shine greater than when separate.
May you use your light to bring aid and friendship to those in need.
May you use your light to see right and goodness in all spiritual paths.
May you use your light to brighten the future of the lands and seas of the earth.
And may the essence of your light shine bright in the hearts of others forever.
From Meditation:
May all that life brings you strengthen the bond you declare this day.
May all your loved ones continue to rejoice in the warmth of the love that has united you.
May you be comfort and joy, counsel and strength to others.
And may your home shed its peace on you and all who seek shelter with you.
From Official’s Charge
May your souls find a communion of ideal being and perfect grace.
May your love reach the level of everyday’s most quiet need.
By sun and candlelight, follow the course of your love –
Let it guide you as you create a partnership and relationships in life.
Let it lead you to discover riches and nuances about yourself and the world that you might not have found alone.
May your life bring you an ever-growing knowledge of joy and hope.
Share that knowledge with all who are blessed by knowing you.
—
May your days be long upon the earth and may you dwell in love
and joy and happiness together with others.
FINAL THOUGHT
I wish my husband a Happy Anniversary and wish my readers love of any kind you find in the world. Let’s share it where we can.
Hope you enjoy singing along to a revisit of We are the World. Originally part of USA Africa aid, we might now simply think of it as USA aid. ‘Giving’ to those around us. We are in need of Unity. As the song says, “we are saving our own lives.”
We can’t just hope for a brighter day,
we have to work for a brighter day.
Love too often gets buried in a world of hurt and fear.
And we have to work to dig it out so we can share it
with our family, our friends, and our neighbors.
– Dolly Parton
—
Title Photo by Andrius Budrikas on UnsplashShare This: 
