Emma & Jake Exchange Vows

Written for Great Minds Think –
The Forbidden Word Challenge

Sarah and Rohini challenge us to show
what the word “love” means without using it
or any form of the word, such as “loved”, “lovely”,
“lover”, “loving”, and “beloved” anywhere in our piece.

Jake:

Emma, I’m not much of a speech guy, so I’ll keep this simple.

You’re the most important person in the world to me, the one I want to tell things to. When something good happens at work, I want to call you. When something bad happens, I want to call you even more. When I see a dog in a funny sweater, I want to take a picture and send it to you. You make me better without making me feel bad about who I was or what I did. You got me to finally go to the doctor for a physical. You got me to call my brother. You showed me the importance of owning more than two towels.

So here is what I promise. I promise to do the dishes without being asked …. at least most of the time. I promise to put my phone down when you’re talking to me. I will warm up the car on cold winter mornings before you have to get in it. I promise to tell you the truth, even when a little white lie would sit better. I’ll tell you when something’s bothering me instead of saying “I’m fine.” I’ll take your side, and when I can’t, I’ll tell you why to your face, not to my friends. I’ll be there when you’re sick, when you’re stressed, and when you just need someone to sit with you and not fix anything.

I’m not perfect and I’ll mess up. But I’ll never stop trying. You’re my best friend, Emma, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life proving that you picked the right guy.

Emma:

Jake, you once drove forty miles through a snowstorm to bring me a phone charger. When I asked why you didn’t wait until morning, you said, “Because you’d be up all night worried your mom might call.” You were right. You’re usually right about what I need, and annoyingly modest about it.

I spent weeks trying to figure out what to say today, and every big word felt too small. So I’m giving you small things instead, because that’s where the real things truly are.

I will save you the corner piece of every lasagna. I will learn just enough about your fantasy football league to be properly outraged on your behalf. I will hold your hand during your dad’s chemo and never be the first to let go. I will laugh at the canoe story every single time you tell it. I will choose you on the easy days, which is easy, and on the hard days, which is the whole point.

You are my home, Jake. Not the house. You. Wherever you are, I’m right there. I’ve already arrived.

NAR©2026

This is “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” by The Beach Boys

The Forbidden Word Challenge

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}