VOWS ARE COMMITMENTS

Yesterday I was reminded of mine and Kathy's commitment vows that we took back on May 26, 2007. "I pledge to talk to you, to work out our differences, to listen with my mind and heart, to share my joys and fears, to love you into the unknowable future with spirit, laughter and grace." Also our wedding vows that we took back on July 24, 2010. " I Jill Kidd, take you Kathy Bundy to be my wife, 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. Both of these vows contain words and meanings that I / We hold dear and true.

Here we are at our Commitment Ceremony

Here we are at our Wedding Ceremony with our former UU minister Julie.

Our commitment program read: "Kathy and Jill, the time has now come for you to create a covenant together. Such a covenant is not to be made lightly, for the words you speak here today will change your lives forever." This has held true for both of us all these years. Both Kathy and I take our vows and our commitment to one another seriously. We entered our lives together with this in mind. It takes commitment and work to achieve this and both of us are willing to do this together and apart. 

I was reminded of all this yesterday because my wife Kathy had a horrible case of vertigo. She could not even raise her head in bed. I didn't want to leave her to go to work but it was a necessity and at her insistence I did but not without calls from work to check in on her during the day. We both have good friends and family members who support our relationship. Luckily I have a supervisor that when I went into work I explained the situation to her and said that if Kathy were to call and need me I would be going home. She understood and gave me the okay to do so. We have much support and love for which we feel truly blessed.

At one point during the evening Kathy asked if I would mind going to the store and picking her up a few things that she wanted. She said I hate to ask you to do it. I looked at her eye to eye and said to her "How many times have you gone to the pharmacy for me when I was sick? Sometimes it would be 10 at night or sometimes midnight. At that she just looked at me and smiled as leaned down to her and kissed her gently on her lips. Then I walked out of the door list in hand and a smile on my face. 

I do realize that not everyone is "on board" with same-gender marriage. It seems that I have always felt that it was up to me to change minds until recently. I saw one of those photo's on facebook that said something to the gist of { I don't need YOUR approval for my marriage. I just need the law to change.}. It shouldn't be labeled same-gender marriage, It should simply be about MARRIAGE RIGHTS for ALL. 

One of my family members and I have had this on going conversation about same-gender marriage. My brother Todd is an evangelical minister. I didn't clearly understand his position until we private messaged eachother last week. He explained his position a bit more clearly. He said "he is where he has always been on equal rights under the law and benefits for same-sex partners-in favor." Just not for same-sex marriage. He went on to explain further "my North Star is set-I live under authority of what I believe to be God's Word." At that point it clicked with me what he has been saying. It isn't that he disrespects mine and Kathy's marriage it is that he has his own path. He was at our commitment ceremony and sat right on the front row. If that ain't love I don't know what is. 

Here are my brother Todd and I at mine and Kathy's Commitment Ceremony.

For me all that matters is that Kathy and I are married in every since of the "Word Marriage". We just don't have the lawful benefits of Marriage. Life is good for us at the Bundy~Kidd household. 

These are my thoughts and feelings from Jillsville.