News of an Abbottabad killing seems to have drowned out news of a London wedding.\u00a0 Pardon us for still reflecting on the royal wedding.\u00a0 At Jodi365.com, we are, after all, in the business of bringing people together.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s on our mind is the brouhaha over Kate Middleton\u2019s choosing to leave out from her wedding vows a promise to \u201cobey\u201d her husband.\u00a0 It struck us as another case of media sensationalism, judging by the 449,000 search results from this Google query: kate middleton wedding vows obey<\/em><\/p>\n We Googled some more and learned that the new Duchess of Cambridge didn\u2019t really \u201cstrike \u2018obey\u2019 from her wedding vows,\u201d as some of the headlines would have us believe.\u00a0 The lady apparently had a choice between two versions of marriage vows in the Church of England\u2019s prayer book, and she chose the modern version.\u00a0 She still vowed to love, honor, and keep her husband, in sickness and health.\u00a0 Who has a problem with that?<\/p>\n We ask those who made a lot of noise about the omission of the word \u2018obey\u2019: When was the last time that you vowed to obey another person, whether it was a spouse, parent, teacher, employer, head of state, or some authority figure?<\/p>\n A wedding is a special occasion in a couple\u2019s life, and it should be up to the individuals concerned to decide how they solemnize the marriage.<\/p>\n For those of you who didn\u2019t receive a wedding invitation or missed the moment, here is a video and transcript of the royal exchange of vows<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking of wedding recitations, we particularly like this one, which is said to be a favorite at non-denominational weddings in the U.S.:<\/p>\n Now you will feel no rain,<\/em> It is believed to be an Apache Indian wedding prayer<\/a>, but according to the Economist, it was actually scripted for a Hollywood movie.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have a problem with that, just as we don\u2019t have a problem with greeting cards bearing printed messages.\u00a0 After all, it still takes some effort to pick a card that conveys the right message and sentiment for an occasion.<\/p>\n As for those who prefer to use blank cards and write their own greetings, or write their own wedding vows: We salute you!<\/p>\n We also applaud young Indian couples who consciously pick a patient priest for their wedding ceremony \u2013 a priest who not only recites appropriate verses from a religious text, but also takes the time to explain the meaning of the verses to the marrying couple.\u00a0 If this is a trend, we see it as a welcome indicator of people wanting to see more meaning in wedding customs and taking their wedding vows seriously.<\/p>\n On that note, we would like to know: Are there lines in wedding vows that have particularly resonated with you?\u00a0 Any wedding traditions that you especially cherish?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Image courtesy of srizki<\/a> via Creative Commons<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s note:<\/p>\n If you are unmarried, here is something you should know about marriages:\u00a0On Being Married: Point and Counterpoint<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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\n For each of you will be shelter to the other.<\/em>
\n Now you will feel no cold,<\/em>
\n For each of you will be warmth to the other.<\/em>
\n Now there is no more loneliness,<\/em>
\n For each of you will be companion to the other.<\/em>
\n Now you are two bodies,<\/em>
\n But there is one life before you.<\/em>
\n Go now to your dwelling place,<\/em>
\n To enter into the days of your togetherness.<\/em>
\n And may your days be good and long upon the earth.<\/em><\/p>\n