The Vow Renewal
My late husband knew a couple that truly had nothing when they got married. They were eighteen and nineteen years old when they wed. They had just come to this country and knew very few people. Their wedding rings were the paper bands that were wrapped around cigars.
They had a wonderful life together. They were blessed with two children. They worked hard and prospered. One child studied to become a doctor and the other an attorney, and the parents were proud of their children’s achievements and the fact they were able to support them through the college years. They remembered they had nothing, and here they were with a doctor and a lawyer for a son and daughter. It was a great achievement for them.
Since they never had a proper wedding, for their twenty-fifth anniversary, they decided to renew their vows. They invited a group of friends to share in this very special occasion. She was dressed in an elegant ivory gown and he in a tuxedo. He ordered a wedding band to be made for her to look like the original paper cigar band which they had lovingly saved. This time the ring was set in gold with precious gems. Not knowing that was what he had planned for the renewal of their vows, she had asked him if she could choose a diamond ring since she had never owned one. He happily agreed.
At some moment during that evening, he thanked the guests for sharing in their special occasion. He then kneeled in front of her and proposed once more. He recounted to all present that when they were young, they could not afford to have a proper wedding, much less a ring. Now they could. As he placed the ring on her finger, he kissed her hand and asked her to marry him once more. The smile on her face was radiant. Their son and daughter could not suppress the feeling of pride they felt in their parents. There was not a dry eye in the room as the priest renewed their vows.
I have been to many weddings in my lifetime. They are all very special in their own way. However, this one struck a chord within me. That was more than twenty years ago. I have never forgotten that evening nor the love and beauty I felt in that room.