Marriage

I was fine before I met her.
But when she was around, there was something added to me that I liked.
I could live my life without it.
Everyone can live without wine.
We can't live without air.
I can live without looking at her.

When you say you will be there, I can trust you.
You say you will be there tomorrow, one more time.
That's one more time I can depend on feeling this way.
I can depend on feeling this way again when we meet tomorrow.
You made a vow to me, a promise.
A contract was signed. I needed something, you promised to give it to me.
I depend on that promise.
I will expect to feel this way next time I see you.
I will be where we meet because you told me you would be there.
You made a promise to me, in the writing of words, signed with confidence.

One day, we will agree that we will both be there every day.
Until we die.
I will be there tomorrow. You can depend on that.
Tomorrow, you can depend on feeling the way you feel when I am around.
I will stand there and vow to you this thing.
You will stand in front of me and vow to me that thing.
I will depend on you to be there tomorrow.
And the next day, and the next day, until we die.

And we will do this in public.
We will stand before other people and say,
"We will be there for each other. Tomorrow. And every day."

We have a contract - a keepsake, a legally binding document.
To remind us of the sanctity of this vow. That there are consequences.
Consequences for not keeping this vow.

I can depend on you for tomorrow and every day after.
You can depend on me for tomorrow and every day after.
We gave our word, our signature, and this document is the testimony of that.

Marriage.