The vows were the standard and universal ones, emphasizing love, support, acceptance, laughter, commitment, and trust—all seen through the light of Jesus, mentioned in almost every sentence.

We were at my wife's cousin’s wedding. The ceremony was beautiful, the words spoken were profound, and the energy was lighthearted. It was a traditional Christian ceremony officiated by a pastor.

I have been to many religious weddings, mainly Catholic ones, as it's the tradition in Mexico where I grew up. What caught my attention this time, similar to Catholic ceremonies, was that the pastor emphasized the only way a marriage will last is if Jesus is at the center of it. I repeat, the ONLY way.

I thought, "Are you, pastor, implying that my marriage is invalid? That the love I share with my wife isn’t pure and sacred? That our relationship won’t last just because we don’t see life through the lens of dogma? Only because we don’t ‘magnify Jesus’?"