I, Ron, Take You, Lisa ...
March 17, 1998
4:50 a.m.
 I said those words fourteen years ago today. They are beautiful words, perhaps the most important I've ever spoken. When I was a kid, I always knew I would be married. And my marriage would be effortless--after all, my parents were like that. But when I grew up, I found out that things didn't always work the way they seemed. My persepctive worked against me, and I couldn't understand why it took so much work to keep Lisa's and my relationship moving forward. Just to let you in on the inside scoop, I've determined I was too selfish and not observant enough. But that's not the point of this little note. Through these fourteen years, I've learned how better to listen. I've learned patience, and I've learned that a strong relationship takes time. But mostly I've learned that Lisa is such a fine person inside. She is funny. She is determined and gritty in her approach. She won't stop until she's gotten something done in such a fashion as it satisfies her own standards. She is, of course, beautiful, even if she doesn't think so (I put the photo of her here so as I could prove my point--it was taken at a friend's wedding a few years back, but you get the idea). She is firm in her loyalty, steadfastly and avidly committed to me. And the power of her conviction washes over me daily. She makes it easy for me to take risks outside of our life together. This makes me able to write, and able to separate my self worth from my real job--thereby helping me make better decisions at work. She is artistic--stop laughing, Lisa. Maybe "creative" is the more appropriate term. She is a full-time mother, for which I am very proud of her. Fourteen years seems like a long time. And I guess it is. But I wouldn't trade the words I uttered on this day fourteen years ago for any other in the world. Thank you for everything, Lisa.  Daily Persistence is © Ron Collins |
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"I, Ron, take you, Lisa, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life" Ron Collins, March 17, 1984  |
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