Six years ago today….
I got my hair done pretty, had my make-up professionally done, and heaved on a big white dress…
And met my best friend–soon to be my groom–at a beautiful white church.
We spoke words we had written to each other…
A wedding vow poem by Cortney Sluiter
With this ring I thee wed
For awhile now, these thoughts in my head
Trials, tribulations, these things I do not care
As long as you are near me, always standing there
Our parents support, strong, loving, sometimes scary
Even when we didn’t want it, although quite necessary
Brothers, Sisters, the family we gain
Watch out for the youngest he can be a pain
Friends made and shared, throughout the years
Sometimes laughter sometimes tears
Lazy afternoons, TV bowling, Sunday football
Whenever we needed to chat, all we did was call
We’ve been there for each other at the drop of a hat
Even when we were feeling stinky and fat
Large meals, full stomachs, food comas and such
I enjoy days like that, when we don’t do much
Single days, lonely nights are not much fun
That is all over, now that two become one.
Holding your hand, a kiss on the cheek
All of these things, everyday I still seek
Love, honor, cherish, a marriage consists of these
I take you as my wife, need I say please?
Soon the two of us will make our house a home
That is why I wrote this poem
I could go on, but I think I’m through
No one really wants to hear page two
But before I finish, I know one thing’s true
I Love you Katie*, I’m glad God made you.
(*this is the only time I have ever heard Cort call me “Katie” in our entire lives)
A wedding vow letter by Katie Riemersma
Cortney,
In the 10 or so years that we have been friends, we have already seen each other through quite a bit. There have been wonderfully hilarious times, and some pretty rough patches, but through it all, our friendship has always seemed to grow.
Two summers ago, we chose to be “more than friends.” I know we were both nervous that this would affect the great friendship we already had. And it did.
Today, I get to become your wife: the highest level of friendship. As your wife,
I promise to love and respect you through anything that life may deal us.
I promise to laugh and celebrate with you in the good times.
I promise to stand beside you and give support through the rough times.
I promise to share all that I have and all that I am to better our marriage.
I promise to cheer you up when you’re grumpy and to give you the space you need to be an individual.
I will listen to you when you need to talk.
I will trust you and believe in you.
I will work with you and with God to always put our marriage first.
I promise to always be your best friend and the one you can come to for anything as long as we both shall live.
We sealed the deal with many, many smootches.
we did all the cliche traditional things that happen at weddings…right down to FILM photography.
and we had so very much fun.
we had no idea what was ahead of us.
and it didn’t matter.
that day? really was the most fun I have ever had in my life.
and when things are hard? I remember that I am so very lucky…
to have married my best friend.
I love you, Cortney.
About Katie
Omigosh! How did you make it through those vows without crying? That’s just the sweetest, most beautiful thing I’ve read all week. Heck. All month.
Happy Anniversary. May you have many, many, many more years of happiness. 🙂
AH! I’m all teary-eyed! Happy anniversary you two!
You look gorgeous and your words to each other are just beautiful and so sweet and loving. Happy Anniversary to you both!
Happy Anniversary! Loved seeing the pics. You are supposed to have a blast at your wedding, but I think some people forget that. Glad you didn’t. 🙂
What fun memories. It might be PMS, but I would like to admit that I’m crying. I felt that way about my wedding day too – most fun of my whole life. Happy Anniversary to both of you!
Ack! I collapse from the sweet! Absolutely lovely! Happy anniversary to two of the best people on the interwebs! 🙂
Great pictures, and congratulations!
Your last few lines? Are exactly how I feel about my marriage. Happy anniversary y’all!
Aw, that is so beautiful – and so are you! I’m all teary now! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!
Oh, this is so very sweet!! I love it, and love seeing you two at the very beginning of your fairy tale…
Looks beautiful!! Happy anniversary!! 🙂
Happy anniversary to you both! What a beautiful post. And the pictures, too!
So so sweet! Love the pictures! And that was awesome that you guys wrote poems to each other…love it 🙂
Happy Anniversary!
{I personally think that cliche is totally where it’s at!}
Happy Anniversary! Personalized vows are so lovely, but I am mess just reading yours; I don’t know how you got through them!
You are gorgeous; your happiness with each other just beams through (even through FILM, ha ha).
Happy Anniversary!! You guys are too cute!
I love your vows. Absolutely perfect. Happy Anniversary!!
Traditional is not cliche…traditional has history! I love it. What a beautiful tribute 🙂
You look JUST LIKE WHAT a bride should look like.
I LOVE it.
Happy anniv, honey
xo
Wow…you gorgeous girl, and gorgeous couple! What a beautiful way to start a life together. Your words to one another were so perfect. I am so glad that you are holding hands with the love of your life my friend. Happy Anniversary!!!!!
“Love is friendship set on fire” xoxo
“No one wants to read page two…”
Uh, YEAH we do!!!
Because that was fan-TAS-tic.
Loved what you wrote to each other, the big white dress, and most of all the smiles.
Those smiles? Say it all. (and the hairdo. which makes its own statement. so beautiful. and fancy. ;-))
Cheers to best friends and joy and forever.
(and ever.)
Awesome. You two are prefect.
Oh my gosh another, goosebump-inducing post. Beautiful and I LOVE your hair!
Awww, so sweet and honest! I love it. Being married to your best friend is the best ever. Happy Anniversary!!!
BTW I forgot to put it in their before I hit “post” but I have to tell you, you look GORGEOUS. You always do!!!!!
This post is just darling. And I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time how great your smile is. Seriously. You could be wearing sweatpants and a shirt splattered with paint, hair in a tizzy but then smile and you’re still beautiful. I mean that!
A belated Happy Anniversary! You got married exactly 364 days before I did – I just celebrated my 5th anniversary on Friday. And we did the cliche too – the hair, the makeup, the little white church, all of it (although we didn’t write adorably sweet personal vows like you guys did). And I loved every minute of it. 🙂
BTW, you made a beautiful bride.