“I promise to RESPECT you in everything as an equal partner in the foreknowledge of joy and sorrow for all the risings and settings of the sun.”

With this vow, we promise to always be willing to honour each other through the thick as well as the thin.

What does the vow mean?

A dictionary defines respect as the condition of being honoured (esteemed, respected or well regarded) or an attitude of admiration or esteem. When we respect someone it means that we think highly of that person out of a feeling of esteem and honour. People feel love is the most important foundation in a marriage, but both Mr. Husband and I feel that respect is more important than love. And it was the respect more than the love that we mutually desired in our relationship.

Why do we need to RESPECT for a satisfying relationship?

Ours is an arranged marriage and even before love could make its place in our relationship it was respect that first made its mark and gave way for love to happen slowly and gradually. While it was a challenge we were finally able to infuse respect in our relationship when we were ready to embrace each other despite our flaws and shortcomings without being judgemental of each other and appreciative of one another’s uniqueness.

And it was not long into our marriage that we decided that neither we’d be pushing our views on one another nor be violating each other’s boundaries. So when I say “I promise to respect” it means we are willing to treat each other as individuals in spite of being in the relationship and honour one another’s choices and decisions.

Keep watching the space for the next vow with alphabet S. You can find the opening post to the vows “What marriage means to me?” here and the previous vow with alphabet Q here.

Love,

Mrs. Sunshine

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