We often go through life without realizing how important certain things are…until they are gone. These moments of impact, a central theme in The Vow (featuring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams), are pivotal points of change in our lives. And these could comprise anything, from graduations, heartbreaks, diseases, accidents, deaths, promises…
People often fail to take a promise seriously, unless it is written in stone. They require contracts and signatures, handshakes and solemn oaths. There is nothing wrong with this but these formalities should not form the core of your promise. In other words, say those words only if you mean it, only if you will keep it. And don’t fancy it up with legal ribbons just to make it more believable.
This movie really portrays what true, unconditional love is, and what taking the vow of marriage together means in terms of forever. It did not matter for Leo that he had to start over and painstakingly put the pieces of Paige’s memory back together again.
Even when it seemed like all was lost, Leo never forgot the vow he made that fateful day they got married in their own special way. It did not matter if the law did not recognize it then or now; he knew it was written in his heart. And that was all that mattered.
I love the message and simplicity of the story (inspired by true events), and wish that such a love could be more prevalent in our world today. It is difficult to find someone who will not just run away from you when your mind or body gets broken. It is hard to find someone who stays.
Let us honour the promises we make, spoken and unspoken. To our loved ones, and to ourselves.
