If you’ve found a person you can truly see yourself growing old with, you’re going to need to make some promises to them. It’s important that you keep these promises throughout your relationship in order to continue building a trustful and loving foundation throughout both of your lifetimes. Among others, the following vows are meant to show just how much you care for your significant other, and how dedicated you are to your relationship.
1. I promise to listen.
Relationships are built around communication, and communication is a two-way street. If you want your voice to be heard, you must also be sure to listen to what your mate has to say. Be open-minded, and try to see things from their perspective. Doing so will open the door to true understanding.
2. I promise to learn.
Relationships are hard work, especially if you’ve never been in a serious one before. There is a lot to learn about how to treat a person you love, how to live with them, and how to grow together. You’ll make mistakes along the way, but as long as you learn from them together, your relationship will continue to flourish.
3. I promise to let you be you.
Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean you have to change who you are. And neither does your significant other. Don’t try to change them into the person you wish they were. You wouldn’t be in love with them if they were different. Let them continue on their path, and stick by their side at all times.
4. I promise to let you grow.
As each person in a relationship is still an individual, you should both be free to grow as people, too. Don’t hold the person you love back from following their dreams. Know that they want to grow in order to better support you, and have faith that their hard work and long work days will eventually pay off for your family.
5. I promise to live for us.
Remember, you’re now living for a family, not just yourself. You shouldn’t make major decisions without consulting your significant other—but that’s not a bad thing. Discuss your wants, needs, hopes, and dreams together, and build your relationship upon a common ground.
6. I promise to find time.
No matter how hectic life gets, you should always find time to spend with the one you love. Don’t get complacent in your relationship. Even after a long day of work, you should always want to take your mate out for ice cream or a movie. Don’t let time slip away; it’s the one thing you can never get back.
7. I promise to work as a team.
Mix up the chores. Do the food shopping. Wash both cars. Don’t ever think of a task as “my job” or “my wife’s job,” “men’s work” or “women’s work.” You’re in this together; act like it.
8. I promise to save things for just us.
After a while, some experiences just aren’t the same without your significant other next to you. You’d never watch your favorite TV show without him or her, and they’d never go to your favorite restaurant without you. Some things are special because they’re only meaningful when you’re together.
9. I promise to care about your interests.
When you love someone, you’ll find yourself having fun at times you thought you’d be bored out of your mind. Buy tickets to a Broadway show, even if you would never go to one without her. Bring him to a football game, even if you don’t even understand the rules. You’ll end up making memories that will last a lifetime.
10. I promise to show you off.
Never get tired of making it clear to the world that you love this person. Hold their hand in public, and introduce them to new friends and coworkers as “my wife” or “my husband” or “my fiancé.” Talk about them constantly, even when you know it’s driving other people nuts. They’re worth it.
11. I promise to keep trying to win you.
Just because you’ve found “the one” doesn’t mean you can’t lose them. Do something every day that surprises them, or makes them feel worthwhile. Bring them flowers, clean the house, surprise them at work- anything at all to keep things fresh. By doing so, you’ll be proving your worth as well.
12. I promise to never get into a routine.
Like I said: keep things fresh. Add some spice to life. Try to do something new every week. Take a class together, or go for a walk. Do a puzzle or play a game. Don’t get into the habit of coming home, eating dinner, and just watching TV together. Make memories every single day.
13. I promise to always pick up the phone.
Don’t ever let a call from your significant other go to voice mail if you can help it. Sure, they always call on their lunch break or when they get out of work, but you never know if the next call you get will be an emergency. Show them that they’re your number one priority at all times.
14. I promise to love your family as my own.
When you fall in love, you’re not just adding one person to your circle of loved ones. You also add their entire family, and you should want to be a part of their circle, as well. Learn their traditions, and visit them during the holidays. Be an aunt, uncle, big brother or big sister.And be true to them as you would your own flesh and blood.
15. I promise to keep you.
Keep your significant other close. Keep them with you at all times. Keep them on your mind, and in your heart. Keep them from danger, and keep them from falling. Keep them in your life for as long as you both live.
Featured photo credit: Flickr via farm5.staticflickr.com
