His Vows

Sabrina Boyce, my betrothed. The last time I get to use that word…

It was almost 10 years to the day, that I first shook your hand, or said hi or awkwardly introduced myself to you at the Parque de el Retiro in Madrid, Spain.

And while that fall was a transformative time in my life and among other things, a time for you to dance with a Spanish guy or two, our stars were not yet aligned.

It would take 7 more years and a serious case of the fuck its to finally be in the same physical and emotional state to find companionship.

That companionship quickly blossomed to something deeper on a beautiful Saturday morning in May.

You may of course remember this day as a time to share with me your favorite bike ride that took us across the breezy Golden Gate Bridge, over the redwood shaded road of Mt Tamaulipas, into sun drenched Stinson Beach and then back along the rugged California coast. However, I remember it as a day where you sat in the sand and began to introduce me to a soul that represents every definition of the word “beauty” I have yet to encounter..

Sabrina Boyce, you radiate beauty!

A beauty in your brown eyes that shines with absolute kindness and support.

A beauty in your sense of purpose. The passion you have to help humanity become more equal and just is contagious.

A beauty in your dedication to a healthy lifestyle as you prioritize the nourishment of your body, mind and spirit.

A beauty in your relationships. Your wonderful family and the people you choose to surround yourself with encapsulate your true self.

A beauty in your absolute selflessness and dedication to the success of others. Your altruism is unparalleled and I smile thinking about you and I standing up here right now.

A beauty in your sense of wonder. This elevated level of adventure and exploration is on par with my expansive wanderlust and I couldn’t be more attracted to it.

And of course the beauty in the idea that you can and will continue to kick my ass up those Marin hills, all the while pushing me to be better at whatever I set my mind to.

Simply put, I love you Sabrina Christine Boyce, and in order to share this special love until our hearts can no longer pump life and blood through our veins, I have a few vows I would like to share that can help lay the foundation of our forthcoming union.

I also know this is just the beginning and I hope we revisit and revise these words often as seasons pass us by.

Sabrina Boyce…

I Jake Bailey vow that like your beautiful soul, I will swing the door open to mine so you can continually see its depths. You will have nothing to fear because you will already know all my fears.

I vow to touch you every morning to feel your heart beating. Communication is often more than just words in the air or letters on a page.

I vow to listen to your day, every day. Your struggles, frustrations, wins, and triumphs are all opportunities to learn that will help paddle our new family forward together as one.

I vow to be in the moment and point out the little moments. They are all we have and are exponentially better with you in them.

Sabrina Boyce, I Jake Bailey vow to share my goals and regularly ask about yours. Like the leaf filled fern in our bedroom, we may often need to rotate ourselves and each other towards the sun in order to keep our vines intertwined.

I vow to participate in epic, exotic experiences with you but also understand that the oak and cypress tree grow not in each other’s shadow.

I vow to push you out of your comfort zone for love royalty like us still has a lot to learn and we are only pulling up to the starting line.

I vow to make decisions as a team. While I may arrive at a conclusion quickly, you will most likely need to gather the appropriate intel to come to the most informed decision, and I can’t wait to hold your hand along the way.

I vow to be your teammate, your Emmylou to my Graham, your dark chocolate to my cabernet, a co-captain and compatriot in a family destined for happiness.

For I truly believe that sometimes when two incredibly special ones come together they can magically equal three.

Lastly, I Jake Bailey, vow to never stop exploring with you, because today and everyday forward I choose you, Sabrina Boyce, to be my lifelong adventure buddy.