We had written a special set of vows just for this occasion and I would like to share them here. On the wedding, which is happening this Saturday, we will be sharing completely different vows. So these vows here are uniquely betrothal-like.
First, my vows:
Esther Shin, world-renowned pianist and incredible vocalist. On August 28 of last year, when you sat down at my table at the commons, I did not expect you to be someone who was so talented, nor did I expect you to be so funny, caring, and sweet. I also did not expect your uncanny ability to bump into random objects and even people. Your skill at turning everything into a Korean drama is also quite surprising. With you, there’s no longer a need to watch TV anymore, life is exciting enough as it is. Lastly, I definitely did not expect to fall so madly in love with you and to be married to you.
But here we are, standing in front of each other at a church with a whole cloud of witnesses. I look back at all the things that we’ve been through together and I can say that God orchestrated all of it. I came to Moody Theological Seminary at this precise time because it was only at this time that you were ready for me. We have narrowly missed each other for all this time in these different countries, but finally God has brought us together.
“What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Mark 10:9). I promise that I will not let anyone, anything, and least of all, I will not let myself be a cause for our separation. I know I can be less than ideal sometimes… often times… all the time… but I am learning and I am growing.
I am learning the importance of color matching and how sometimes the color is more important than usability. I am growing in my appreciation of the color purple. I am learning that you are always right. And I am growing in my ability to say that and actually mean it. That’s a slow process… I am learning how to be a man, to be someone worthy of the calling he has received. And I am growing in being someone worthy of you, for you are my calling in this life. I have been created to pursue and be with you. I am learning what it means for Christ to love the church, especially how deep that love is. And I am growing in the love of Christ, which in turn compels me to love you more.
Esther, I am deeply thankful for each moment that you bear with me and my self-righteous aroma. I am deeply thankful for the way that you have chosen to submit to me, a sinner. I am deeply thankful for all the meals that you have cooked for me, they’re truly delicious. Love really is the best secret ingredient.
Hoseas 2:19-20 says this, “And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the LORD.” I wish I could say that our betrothal is exactly like how Hosea puts it here and that your being betrothed to me will result in all these things. But you are not Israel and I am not God. Proper hermeneutics does not allow me to say that.
But I can say this, I promise to be with you for as long as we both shall live. I promise that by being with me, we will pursue all that is righteous, just, loving, and merciful. I will lead us to pursue the Lord of hosts, the king of majesty, we will pursue Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. And by so doing, I will lead us to all that Christ commanded us to do. As much as it depends on me, we will go to all nations and preach the gospel.
I promise also to be faithful to you, to never even so much as look at another woman with any impure thought. With you being so amazing and beautiful, this promise is easier to keep. And I promise to lead you more to Christ every day. Esther, I make these promises regardless of whether we are married. I make them to you now as your betrothed, soon as your husband. But in both cases, you are still the love of my life. I love you baby. And I can’t wait to finally be your husband.And here are Esther's vows:
Tony Chuang,
You are the man I have been praying for for the past 7 years. I have prayed for my future husband for years now, and I am so glad I finally met you! I am grateful to God for sending you to me, I am so grateful to be chosen to be yours and I am honored to be your ezer, your helper. I am excited that soon and very soon I will be your wife and you will be husband. I remember the very first time I saw you at the school commons/ cafeteria, when my heart raced and I had a very strong urge to talk to you. It was a very strong feeling that I now think is from God. I am so glad that I walked over to you, and am very grateful to our dear friend Walter who called me over to the table you were at. I remember when I first shared about my vision and my ministry, how your jaw just dropped. I remember that first week when we talked for hours and hours everytime we met, and how we both lost our voices. I remember when you first told me about your intentions towards me, how you said “ I find you very interesting” and told me later with nervous words how you wanted to pursue me. I was very very happy. I remember when I left for NY for a few days and asked what you wanted for a souvenir, you said, “I want you-ish.” I thought that was really cute. Before we entered this committed relationship I remember when I said I have so many fears, you gently asked me to share my fears with you because you wanted to work through them with me. You told me that you want to carry my fears and my baggage with me, saying, that is what guys are supposed to do, to carry heavy things for girls. I appreciate that you took the time to fast and pray about us before we entered our courtship. I also very much appreciate that you waited for my father’s permission to court me and also to ask for marriage. Thank you so much. I also appreciate that you tell me over and over how I am precious and amazing to you. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for making me so happy. I cannot say enough of how I am so blessed to have met you and to become your wife.
Thank you for being so sweet and tender to me, for treating me like queen, and loving me so much. I know as a fact that there hasn’t been and will never be any other man who will love me the way you love me. You always tell me that you will love me not only with words but with actions and will show your love and prove to me for the rest of my life. You always tell me and show me with your actions that I am your priority. Thank you for always sacrificing so much for me. I also vow to love you, to sacrifice for you, and make you my priority. I will trust you for the rest of my life. Thank you for taking me and loving me for who I am, an imperfect person, still with many flaws and fears. At those times when I had fears and thought you deserve someone better than me, thank you for telling me that you believe that you were created for me, and there’s no one else for you, and that I have no other competition in this world. Thank you for telling me that someone else was never in the picture. So I will become that better person for you, the wonderful wife you deserve to have.
I also believe that God created you for me, and me for you. You are perfect for me in every single way; I love your passion for God, the same vision and heart we have for the nations, your sweetness and gentleness, your patience towards me, your understanding and love for me, your work ethics, your high intelligence, your appreciation of classical music, your compassionate heart, your heart towards evangelism, and even the fact that you get so cold just like I do; It makes me be in awe thinking that every detail of you is perfect for me.I love this woman so much.
Honey, I love you so much. I vow to love you for the rest of my life, to be faithful to you, and to be with you in every season of life. I have promised from the day I met you to never run away from you, and I will keep that promise for the rest of my life. Even at times that will be so difficult, I will never run away from you, but always run towards God and towards you. I will respect, honor and submit to you as my leader, and I look forward to spend the rest of my life with you, glorifying God and worshiping God together, as one. I am yours and yours only.
Come to our wedding on Feb 1st, 2014 in Toronto. Visit our website at walkwithchrist.wix.com/tonyandesther
