Promises kept

Matt Huckabay and Tony Granados used to denote their anniversary as Oct. 7, 1994. That’s the day they met. As a married couple, they now have a new date to celebrate: June 17, 2008, their wedding day. Here are some excerpts from the vows they exchanged:

My dearest Tony,

There are no words that can accurately describe the depth of my emotions. I never, ever thought that a day would come when you and I could stand together and be married. …

We have talked about how significant on so many levels today is. But for me, the thing that is most significant, and that I am the most grateful for, is that I get to stand here with you. …

Being here with you makes every experience that we have had to go through worth it. It makes it all OK. And I would gladly go through it all again and more just to have this moment with you.

You are my fiercest protector. You are my constant source of strength. You are the one that, no matter how crazy, believes in me. I am safe in the security of your love. … You are the most gentle man. Your heart is as immense as your ability to love. You have given me a solid, unwavering foundation. …

Thank you for walking this journey with me. We had no way of knowing where our life together would end up. But I am so honored that we have arrived here. I look forward to the next part of our journey together. It doesn’t matter how deep the valley or how high the mountain, we will conquer them together. The journey that lies ahead will be just as magical. And with you by my side, it will be effortless.

Matt,

It was 14 years ago in October that we first met. When we met I knew there was something about you that I couldn’t get enough of. In less than six weeks after we met, I found myself flying out to Phoenix to be with you. The fact that I was flying out on Thanksgiving and about to meet your family didn’t faze me. I just knew I wanted to be with you rather than apart. We have already been through a lot together. In these many years together we’ve opened our business, traveled the world, and raised some beautiful dogs. We’ve experienced the loss of your dad and of my aunt. We’ve watched each other’s nieces and nephews grow up and become adults. We even attended their weddings, an event that we never thought would be possible for us.

Today I stand here with you surrounded by our families and closest of friends. As we embark on this new journey of marriage, I promise to honor, encourage, and support you. I promise to be there for you in your laughter and your tears, in your sickness and in your health. I promise to give you my all. Today, you are not only my partner, but you are now my spouse.