Our vows

We've received a few requests to post our vows online. Charles' tasked us (me) with keeping our vows under 300 words, so we could find a way to succinctly share our love to each other on our wedding day.

We hope you enjoy these words.

Rachel's Vows

When you reached out to me, I was sure I wouldn’t like you. Your confidence annoyed me.

On our first phone call, you completely destroyed every notion I had.

You surprised me with your authenticity, compassion, and bravery.

And as we spoke, you slowly unraveled the woman God created in me.

The woman in me I love the best.

Since that day, you chose to love that woman, whether I was always able to be her or not.

Since that day, you chose to love me despite.

Today, I wish I could promise you the things that matter - like returning your old pun tee-shirts I threw away, or laughing at your jokes, or even enjoying your Facebook rants about politics, but...

I promise to hold you in the moments when the world tries to define your identity. I will remind you of your kind, patient, and genuine heart.

I will remind you of the assignment we are on - to shake the world with fearless creativity.

I will encourage your curiosity and give you freedom to explore your dreams.

I promise to build a legacy with you that is worthy of the God we serve.

I promise to not be afraid of our journey, even when others don't understand it.

I promise to stand in the gaps where you need me the most.

I promise to believe in our access to God's abundance, despite what I think we deserve.

I promise to love you - despite. To love you relentlessly and without fear.

Today, I gave you my heart and my hand in everything, and in nothing.

I can’t wait to be your wife.

Charles' Vows

Rachel, nothing about you is ordinary.

I remember when I first met you during an interview. I had all these questions planned to ask you... and within five minutes, I had crossed them all out, and we were veering off into uncharted territory.

We were talking about life, and dreams, and fears... and I didn't want the conversation to end.

Nothing about you is ordinary.

I remember our first date — dinner at a quiet little restaurant in New York City. You were so nervous, you wouldn't stop eating... You literally would not stop eating.

We were talking about life, and dreams, and fears... and I didn't want the conversation to end.

I remember when you first met my family. When I first met yours. My friends, your friends.

We were talking about life, and dreams, and fears... and I didn't want the conversation to end.

I never want our conversations to end.

Because nothing about you is ordinary.

There have been a lot of great moments — each illuminated by your world-famous 1,000-megawatt smile, your captivating stories, and your total lack of appreciation for my jokes and puns.

But this moment is my favorite. Right here, hand-in-hand, yours in mine, I know I want to go on a journey with you — wherever it leads. To hold you through the storms — however they break our spirit. To lead you through peaks and valleys — whenever things become daunting.

I thank God my life, my dreams, and my fears crossed paths with yours.

Because nothing about you, Rachel, is ordinary.

I can't wait to be your husband.