You're still sure you want us to write our own vows? It's
fine with me. Just want to make sure it's what you want.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:12 p.m.

Yeah, babe, I'm sure. It took us a lot to get to this
point, we kind of owe it to ourselves to come up with
something from the heart. Don't you think so?

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:12 p.m.

I mean, yeah, I'm struggling with it a little, admittedly,
but it'll get there.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:13 p.m.

Yeah. Totally. But how "from the heart" are we talking
here? I don't want all those people we invited, a lot we
don't even like, knowing our business.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:15 p.m.

And I knew it wasn't as easy for you as you've been insisting!

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:15 p.m.

I'm not asking for social security numbers here, but
something sweet and meaningful. And I wish you wouldn't
celebrate my struggle! I had this idea of my vows being
almost entirely comprised of movie quotes, but it's not
flowing as much as I thought it would. Plus, some of it doesn't
fit our situation...because you, sir, did NOT have me at "hello."

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:16 p.m.

Sorry, babe. Not celebrating... more like commiserating. Please no
movie quotes. If I can't quote Springsteen you can't use the whole
girl standing in front of a boy bull crap.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:17 p.m.

Besides, we're too old for that line anyway. And so were they.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:17 p.m.

And you *know* I had you at least a little at hello. Even if you just
wanted me physically. ;)

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:18 p.m.

You're right about the movie quotes, not so much about the
first impression. So here's my vow to you, right now: Danny
Castellano, I promise to only whip out the movie quotes sparingly
and in emergencies, like when I insist on picking the movie for our
nights in.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:24 p.m.

That's a really good vow, actually. I wouldn't mind that being in
the main event.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:24 p.m.

As long as we're making vows that don't go into the final cut, I
vow to make as little fun as possible of the movies you choose on
movie night.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:25 p.m.

And I vow to never make you listen to Springsteen unless it's really
important or a patriotic holiday.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:25 p.m.

I appreciate that! In return, I vow to ask all of my girlfriends
to accompany me to all Katy Perry and Beyonce concerts
first before dragging you to them against your will.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:26 p.m.

Really? Thanks. If someone wears or says something offensive about
your favorite performer and there's an altercation, I promise to come
bail you and any of your friends out of concert jail.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:26 p.m.

Oh, Danny. You have no clue what you just committed to, especially
if Maggie comes along. How she's managed to avoid getting banned
from Rockefeller Center is beyond me.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:30 p.m.

Let's see... I vow to learn at least one of your mother's recipes to
perfection. I can't promise I'll know how to cook anything else, but I
will kick some chicken piccata ass by the time my arthritis kicks in!

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:30 p.m.

Sweetheart, you are not a great cook - with the exception of your
surprisingly excellent French toast - but I have faith you can master
piccata WAY before you become arthritic.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:31 p.m.

Especially if you'd just let Ma give you some pointers.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:31 p.m.

I promise to give each failed attempt the benefit of the doubt
every time until you have it mastered. And I promise to do the
equivalent for you. I'm an amazing cook, so what would that be?
There a recipe you want me to learn or something?

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:32 p.m.

Oh God, can you learn how to make those blueberry lemon
cupcakes, like the ones from Magnolia Bakery?

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:32 p.m.

Easy! And cupcakes? Are you kidding me? I figured you'd go for
something bigger. "Or something" left a lot of room there.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:33 p.m.

Unless you're saying I've already mastered giving you the perfect
orgasm or learned how to be the world's best listener. You know
what, you're right. Cupcakes are the last thing I have to learn.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:33 p.m.

The question was misleading, dammit! You were specifically
talking about cooking!

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:42 p.m.

I want a marriage with it all! Flawless orgasms and cupcakes!

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:43 p.m.

As you wish.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:43 p.m.

I promise to give you everything you want that is within my power.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:43 p.m.

I vow to learn how to be the best possible husband until I have it
mastered. Even if it takes the rest of our lives.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:44 p.m.

It won't take nearly that long, babe. You're already the best. It
just won't be official for another month.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:44 p.m.

I vow to be that annoying woman who brags about her wonderful,
thoughtful, perfect husband every chance she gets to anyone with a
half-working ear.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:44 p.m.

You do that now! And I love it. Honestly. I'm having to get used to
it, Min. I think you're the first person I've ever been with who says
those things.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:45 p.m.

I wish I could see you. Or at least talk to you. Stupid fittings.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:45 p.m.

I'll do all that too, if I don't do it enough already. It doesn't take
me pointing it out, but everyone should know how spectacular you
are.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:46 p.m.

And how lucky I am to have you.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:46 p.m.

I vow to learn a new way to show you how much I love you every
day until I've said all there is to be said and done all that can be done.
Until we're the example that other's strive for.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:46 p.m.

And I vow to always let you know just how perfect you are, but never
expect perfection from you. We'll make a ton of mistakes together, but
we'll also learn together. That's the deal.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:48 p.m.

You've never expected more from me than the bare minimum of
what you deserve. I'll raise the bar on that. It's part of our deal now,
officially.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:48 p.m.

And you show me all the time new ways you love me.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:48 p.m.

Remember, you showed me a new way on the couch in the lounge
on Tuesday.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 1:49 p.m.

I vow that there's more where that came from! ;)

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 1:49 p.m.

Seriously, when the hell are these dress fittings over? I miss you.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:11 p.m.

And can I hold you to that vow? Is there a way to officially slip it in
without it being inappropriate?

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:11 p.m.

Danny, you cannot say things like "slip it in" to me right now
after mentioning the lounge. I'm clamping my thighs together so
tightly that I think they're beginning to weld together.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 2:15 p.m.

I promise you this, though: I vow to try just about everything
in the bedroom at least once with you. Ev. Er. Y. Thing.

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 2:15 p.m.

I'm making a list.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:15 p.m.

If we've already kinda halfway tried it but you weren't sure does
that count? Or is this a "everything goes back to zero on our wedding
night" type situation?

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:16 p.m.

I think it's fair to consider the slate clean once we get to the
honeymoon suite. Marriage is all about new beginnings, right?

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 2:18 p.m.

You're right and so smart. Clean slate. Still working on that list.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:18 p.m.

And I love you. Not just in the "doctors lounge" kind of way.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:18 p.m.

But as SOON as you get home, I'm loving you that kind of way too.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:19 p.m.

Promise?

To: Dan
August 22nd, 2015 2:21 p.m.

It's my solemn vow.

To: Min
August 22nd, 2015 2:21 p.m.

(Mindy's wedding vows. Hand written on linen-finished paper, folded and pinned to the ribbon around her bouquet.)

My love, my hothead, my best friend, my Danny.

For years I have reaped the benefits of everything that makes you the incredible person you are. Your honesty has made me change for the better. Your loyalty and friendship makes me feel stronger than I've ever felt. Your smile and your embrace make me feel like I'm the only person who matters. Most importantly, your love makes me feel unstoppable.

There were times when I wished for an appropriate way to thank you, especially when cakes and orchids didn't feel like nearly enough. How can you express gratitude to the man that showed you that real life, real love, can be so much better than the movies? How do you thank the man you feel has made your life so, so complete?

Choosing me to be your wife gives me the opportunity to thank you every day, for the rest of our lives. I will thank you with my undying faithfulness, respect, and loyalty. I will thank you with my honesty. I will thank you with my strength whenever you feel weak and my optimism when things seem bleak. I will thank you with a listening ear whenever you need a confidante, my comedy when you need a laugh, and understanding silence, when all you need is me. Daniel Castellano, I am so honored for the chance to spend the rest of my life thanking you with everything that I have, because I owe you as much. I love you.

(Danny's wedding vows. Typed and printed on plain copier paper, folded and refolded and stashed away in his tuxedo pants pocket.)

Mindy, you know how hard it was for me to write these vows. And not just for the reasons you and everyone else here are probably thinking. It's not because I didn't know how to tell you how I feel, how I love you so much sometimes it still takes my breath away, or what the right promises were to make you. It's because there are too many. Where do I even start?

We've already been partners for a really long time. First professionally, which anyone who knows us will agree didn't look like a very promising start. Then as friends. It was as your friend I learned how to do this. Us. How to be a teammate and not just put one person first. So I promise to always be your partner. To be what and who you need in every way I can. Just like you always are for me.

I promise to never, ever leave you. So you better be sure about this, okay? Because you're stuck with me for life now.

I promise the sickness and health thing. Not just for when we're old and failing, but for times like when you eat from that taco truck I keep telling you not to and it finally makes you sick. I promise on those occasions to hold your hair back and get you ginger ale with a bendy-straw like you like, and try really, really hard not to say I told you so.

I vow to never make you feel unloved or unwanted, because there is no one in this world I have ever cherished as much as I do you. And that will never change.

I had a hard time writing these vows because once I started I didn't know how I could ever be done promising you everything I have to give. So that's it. I vow to never stop making and keeping new promises to you, and honoring the ones I've already made. For as long as we both shall live.

(On a card included inside Mindy's wedding present.)

To my wife -

This may be a corny gift, but I meant what I said in my vows. I will never stop making new promises to you, and striving to keep all the promises I've already made. So this is for us.

I tried to find something sturdy that will last us our lifetime together. I'm sorry that the leather binding doesn't look very romantic. I took the liberty to include all the promises we've already made to each other. Including the dirty ones. And I've added some new ones, too.

This journal still has a few hundred blank pages left in it. By the time we make it to our 25th wedding anniversary I want to have given you another one for us to fill up.

Thank you, my love, my life, my wife, on this day, and every day, for making me the happiest man on earth.