It's our fourth wedding anniversary today and I thought I'd share the reading we chose, which was read by my sister-in-law, before we said our vows. Having that time to focus on something else allowed us to take a moment, compose ourselves, and calm our nerves.

The same emotions I felt that day come rushing back every time I read it, it ignites the memories so clearly.

Union by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks - all those conversations that began with, 'When we're married", and continued with "I will", and "you will", and "we will" - all those late night talks that included "someday", and "somehow" and "maybe" - and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows you are about to make are a way of saying to one and other, "You know all those things that we've promised, and hoped, and dreamed - well, I meant it all, every word."

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another - acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned so much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world -
This is my husband. This is my wife.