Death Will Not Part What We Have Made Whole

Year 201: From conception, we were soul mates. From the womb, we were friends. From birth, we were companions. The fourteen minutes we were separated was a world apart to us and our bond became indissoluble. When the person who gave us life tried to take yours, I protected you. When others would try to hurt me, you defended me. I shielded you from hatred. You kept me from injury. I have tolerated your heinous acts. You have forgiven me my egregious behaviour. Our lives and souls were intertwined. Then, the day beside the river happened. I gave you a kiss. You gave me life.

I saw you dancing out the ocean
Our miracle lies in the path we have chosen together
Running fast along the sand
I enter into this with you knowing the true magic of love is not to avoid changes, but to navigate them successfully.
A spirit born of earth and water
Let us commit to the miracle of making each day work together.
Fire flying from your hands
I offer you my love and my support throughout all of our lives.
In the instant that you love someone
I commit myself to years of growth and sharing as I encourage you to move in new directions.
In the second that the hammer hits
I will strive to achieve my potential as God's creature and will celebrate your progress toward the same goal.
Reality runs up your spine
I give myself as I am and as I will be,
And the pieces finally fit
and I do it for all of life.
And all I ever needed was the One
Respecting each other, we commit to live our lives together for all the days to come.
Like freedom feels where wild horses run
I ask you to share this world with me, for good and ill.
When stars collide like you and I
Be my partner, and I will be yours.
No shadows block the sun
May be our days be long,
You're all I've ever needed
and may they be seasoned with love, understanding, and respect.
Baby you're the one
Now we stand together; may it always be so.
There are caravans we follow
I offer myself to you today.
Drunken nights in dark hotels
I will always love you, respect you, and be faithful to you.
When chances breathe between the silence
Come health, happiness, and prosperity, I will stand with you;
Where sex and love no longer gel
come illness, trouble, or poverty, I will stand with you.
For each man in his time is Cain
Take this as a sign of my love and commitment.
Until he walks along the beach
Today I join my life to yours as your friend, your lover, and your confidant.
And sees his future in the water
Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life.
A long lost heart within in his reach
With you I will walk my path from this day forward.
And all I ever needed was the One
I came here today to join my life to yours before the Apexis and the Acendents and the heavenly host.
Like freedom feels where wild horses run
In the presence of God, I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years.
When stars collide like you and I
Times may pass; fortune may smile, trials may come;
No shadows block the sun
no matter what we may encounter together,
Oh, you're all I've ever needed
I vow here that this love will be my only love.
Ooh, baby you're the one.
I will make my home in your heart from this day forward.

Michael awoke and sat up in bed. The dream was unusually vivid. And the hollow ache that he didn't talk about was gone. He smiled to himself and invoked the deepest bond he ever knew.

There was still no answer.

He lay back down and a tear slowly welled at the corner of his eye. Then, when he was on the cusp of sleep again, a gentle caress in the mind warmed him. And a faint mental whisper, said over a link that crossed reality, could be heard. “...from this day forward...”

lyrics from "The One" by Taupin
vows modified from the Exchange of Rings during the Episcopal marriage ceremony