So, the New York Times has analyzed the possible Scientology vows for Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. I have to say, these are not the kind of vows I would think to write for anyone. Certainly, if this is what someone wanted, I could do it, but…. it seems a bit depressing for a wedding to keep harping on all the bad things that could happen. I know brides and grooms who prefer “so long as we both shall live” over “til death do us part” because they don’t want talk of death in their vows.

I prefer vows to focus on the couple, on what they believe in and how they fit together. I love when couples put together their own vows (or have me help them do it) so that the ceremony is personal and intimate without being too voyeuristic. No one needs to know all a couples most private moments and words, and a ceremony is, after all, a public declaration.

I’m not sure where the cat fits into this.

So, Tom and Katie, whether you can convince the Pope to change Catholic doctrine, convince the Italians you have legal paperwork for a civil ceremony, or merely promise Katie she’ll have a cat if she wants, best wishes.