Marriage vows of eternal friendship

Very often in our busy lives, we take our dearest one for granted. Remembering our sacred marriage vows of eternal friendship makes me instantly grateful for the greatest love of my life. This mantra is chanted immediately following Saptapadi (seven steps) in a vedic marriage. The vedas portrays the husband and wife as the closest of friends.

Sakha saptapada bhava
Sakhayau saptapada babhuva
Sakyanthe gameyam
Sakyathe mayosham
Sakhyanme mayoshtaha
( With these seven steps you have become my friend.
May I deserve your friendship,
May my friendship make me one with you.
May your friendship make you one with me. )

Here is a beautiful Apache wedding prayer

Now you will feel no rain, 
For each of you will be shelter to the other. 
Now you will feel no cold, 
For each of you will be warmth to the other. 
Now there is no more loneliness, 
For each of you will be companion to the other. 
Now you are two bodies, 
But there is one life before you. 
Go now to your dwelling place, 
To enter into the days of your togetherness. 
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.