The rite of seven steps

I was thinking of the touching sentiments often related during an Indian wedding and wanted to share a favorite with you.

Regardless of culture every husband and wife can learn from these beautiful sentiments:

The Rite of Seven Steps

Groom, Step 1:
O' my beloved, our love has become firm by your walking one with me. Together we will share the responsibilities of the lodge, food and children. May the Creator bless noble children to share. May they live long.

Bride, Step 1:
This is my commitment to you, my husband. Together we will share the responsibility of the home, food and children. I promise that I shall discharge all my share of the responsibilities for the welfare of the family and the children.

Groom, Step 2:
O' my beloved, now you have walked with me the second step. May the Creator bless you. I will love you and you alone as my wife. I will fill your heart with strength and courage: this is my commitment and my pledge to you. May God protect the lodge and children.

Bride, Step 2:
My husband, at all times I shall fill your heart with courage and strength. In your happiness I shall rejoice. May God bless you and our honorable lodge.

Groom, Step 3:
O my beloved, now since you have walked three steps with me, our wealth and prosperity will grow. May God bless us. May we educate our children and may they live long.

Bride, Step 3:
My husband, I love you with single-minded devotion as my husband. I will treat all other men as my brothers. My devotion to you is pure and you are my joy. This is my commitment and pledge to you.

Groom, Step 4:
O' my beloved, it is a great blessing that you have now walked four steps with me. May the Creator bless you. You have brought favor and sacredness in my life.

Bride, Step 4:
O my husband, in all acts of righteousness, in material prosperity, in every form of enjoyment, and in those divine acts such as fire sacrifice, worship and charity, I promise you that I shall participate and I will always be with you.

Groom, Step 5:
O' my beloved, now you have walked five steps with me. May the Creator make us prosperous. May the Creator bless us.

Bride, Step 5:
O my husband, I will share both in your joys and sorrows. Your love will make me very happy.

Groom, Step 6:
O' my beloved, by walking six steps with me, you have filled my heart with happiness. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace, time and time again. May the Creator bless you.

Bride, Step 6:
My husband, the Creator blesses you. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace. I promise that I will always be with you.

Groom, Step 7:
O' my beloved goddess, as you have walked the seven steps with me, our love and friendship have become inseparable and firm. We have experienced spiritual union in God. Now you have become completely mine. I offer my total self to you. May our marriage last forever.

Bride, Step 7:
My husband, by the law of the Creator, and the spirits of our honorable ancestors, I have become your wife. Whatever promises I gave you I have spoken them with a pure heart. All the spirits are witnesses to this fact. I shall never deceive you, nor will I let you down. I shall love you forever.