You're still the one: How vow renewal ceremonies celebrate enduring love
In sickness and in health: This promise, part of the traditional wedding vows, carries a weight not always easily upheld. But for Kristy Durso, 46, and husband Ryan, 45, the pair continues to honor their marital pact, even after her life-altering health diagnosis.
The couple met in Monterrey, Calif., 25 years ago, when they were both in the military, on active duty.
'We met in February and by May I knew I wanted to marry him,' said Kristy. 'He proposed that September.'
They set the date in February 2000, but five days before the wedding, Kristy had to be discharged from the military for health reasons. Though it took a decade, she was ultimately diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare, progressive, degenerative neuropathy disorder, among other serious debilitating conditions.
By then, the couple had two children and later adopted a third with his own health challenges. As a wheelchair user and travel agency owner, Kristy was inspired to specialize in planning trips for families with disabilities.
She learned that Beaches Resorts, which operates in the Caribbean, is a leading hospitality company for the autism and special needs communities.
'I approached their weddings team and encouraged them to showcase what's possible at their resorts,' said Kristy. 'They loved the idea, so we planned to renew our wedding vows at their Turks & Caicos property.'
For the event last February, 'Their team helped me bring a vision to life.
People automatically assume when you've got a disability, the experience will be less. But it doesn't have to be. I wanted everything to be just as detailed, intimate and beautiful as if I were a bride who could walk.'
To this end, 'The company built a lovely, white wooden ramp for me to have access to the beach,' said Kristy. 'They put a platform in the sand for me, so I could dance our first dance using my wheelchair, manually. I didn't want to be pushed — you lose your autonomy. If it's Ryan pushing me, he's no longer my partner, he's my caregiver, which isn't what I wanted to portray.'
With media attention, Ryan admittedly wasn't initially comfortable with the event idea. However, 'I changed my mindset,' he said. 'From when we first married, we're still dedicated to each other, though everything else has changed.'
For Kristy, 'When I was in the hospital getting a pacemaker, I told Ryan I'd live to age 40, but wasn't sure I'd get there. We've found ourselves beyond that. I wanted to go up there and say, I still promise to keep fighting and changing what I can with you by my side, until the day I die,' she said.
Currently, there is a significant uptick in wedding redo and vow renewal bookings, said Marsha-Ann Donaldson, director of weddings and romance for Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. The company's Re-tie the Knot package starts at $400 and includes a bridal bouquet, boutonniere, cocktail party and cake for up to 10 people.
'Some folks have illness and come through on the other side wanting to recommit their lives to one another,' said Donaldson. 'Others never had a formal wedding. They may have done the legal side, but not the wedding of their dreams. Some marriages have gone through whatever it takes to make their marriage work and want to commit to the covenant they share. For them, a vow renewal is a restart. There are also couples who've been together a while, and want their kids, now of age, to witness and participate in their recommitting of vows, perhaps for a double-digit anniversary.'
Case in point, James McGraw, 69, and wife Barbara McGraw, 68, from Vinemont, Ala., commemorated their 50th wedding anniversary this May with a vow renewal ceremony aboard a seven-day Alaskan cruise on Holland America cruise line. Their ship's captain conducted the ceremony.
With grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 'What better way to start the next 50 years but with a vow renewal?' said James. 'We always wanted to go to Alaska, so I decided to put a trip together and surprise her.'
If a second chance wedding or redo is your goal, you're on trend, according to hospitality experts. 'In recent years, we've seen a rise in vow renewals and re-weddings,' said Tiffany Dusenberry, director of food & beverage at Kukuiula in Kaua'i, Hawaii, a residential resort community.
'In 2023, we hosted a memorable vow renewal for a bride who never had the chance to wear a white dress the first time, with an intimate ceremony beneath our iconic farm tree followed by an elegant picnic with loved ones,' said Dusenberry.
For New Yorkers interested in a love reaffirmation close to home, consider Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
The annual Wedding: New York's Biggest Day took place June 21 this year. The free event, which requires online registration, is the perfect opportunity to renew vows, since the ceremony is not legally binding as a marriage. It features live musical performances from special guests and a joyous party, according to the news release.
The annual event began during COVID-19, for couples whose weddings were derailed or scaled back due to the pandemic, said Shanta Thake, Ehrenkranz chief artistic officer at the Lincoln Center.
'Faith leaders will be coming to talk about what love and commitment means,' she said. 'We provide flowers for flower crowns, and people share vows. There are cookies and champagne, and there are always hundreds of couples. It's a celebration of couplehood.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
William Shatner Gets Candid About ‘Ups and Downs' of Living with 'Permanent Tinnitus': ‘I Know' How ‘Difficult It Can Get'
William Shatner opened up about the "ups and downs" of living with tinnitus — which he was diagnosed with in the 1990s — in a candid new video Shatner said he was left with "permanent tinnitus" after standing too close to a special effects explosion on the set of Star Trek Tinnitus is a condition in which a person hears a 'ringing, buzzing, whooshing sound in their ears' that 'no one else can hear'William Shatner is opening up about his tinnitus in the name of a good cause. The Star Trek star, 94, spoke out about the difficulties of living his life with the condition in a new video for the nonprofit Tinnitus Quest, whose mission is to raise money for research aimed at finding a cure or treatment for the condition. 'My own journey with tinnitus started when I was filming a Star Trek episode called 'Arena,' and I was too close to the special effects explosion, and the result was that I was left with permanent tinnitus,' Shatner shared in the video. 'And over the years, I've had many ups and downs with my tinnitus, and I know from firsthand experience just how difficult it can get,' he added. Tinnitus is a condition in which a person hears a 'ringing, buzzing, whooshing sound in their ears' that 'no one else can hear,' according to the American Tinnitus Association. It can be either temporary or chronic and affects about 50 million American adults. Shatner — who was diagnosed with tinnitus in the 1990s and has experienced the chronic form of the condition throughout his life — also noted in the video that 'about 1% to 2% of the population suffer from a chronic, debilitating form of tinnitus' and 'there are no effective treatments' for it. 'The more money we can raise for Tinnitus Quest, the quicker we can find a solution to help the millions of people suffering,' the actor said. 'Thank you so much for watching, and I hope you will consider donating to Tinnitus Quest.' This isn't the first time the Boston Legal star has spoken candidly about his condition. In a 2023 interview with E! News, he recalled the first time he realized he had the condition and shared how it has impacted his life since. He also said the condition will hit him at the most unexpected times. 'I was on the beach and it's a vivid moment, and you know how the waves go out — the wave comes in [roars] and then it goes 'ssss' [as it] goes out. All of a sudden, I kept hearing a 'ssss' even though there was another wave coming. And that's how I discovered [I had tinnitus],' he explained. 'And it started, and I went to the doctor and said, 'Will it get worse?' And he said, 'It might not.' But of course it does as you age, it gets worse,' he continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Shatner noted that he eventually got used to the sound, explaining, "your brain starts to assimilate the sound, like it would if you were living beside an airport." However, there are still times when it gets overwhelming. 'Sometimes it's really bad, but I know it's not going to kill me,' he said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Queer And Black in the GTA: Building Chosen Families and Safe Spaces
To be young, queer and Black is a beautiful thing. But it's also a vulnerable thing. You move through the world with boldness, only to be met with ignorance and resistance. At times, it feels like you have two choices. Play it safe, and keep your head down or you can venture out, and carefully search for places that feel safe, and feel like where you belong. But those safe spaces don't just pop up, they are bravely created by brilliantly bold people, who risk it all for the sake of joyfully living out loud. Jahmila Martin, a first-generation Caribbean-Canadian and a proud lesbian, gravitates toward events where care, and safety aren't just values, they're the foundation. 'In my early twenties, I mostly went to straight events. The all-ages jams and the clubs we had back then,' she says. 'But as I got older, I wanted to be in spaces that centered my community. That's where I felt the safest.' She fondly mentions Toronto staples like Yes Yes Yall, but it was Gyal Segment, a party that celebrates 'BIPOC queer womxn' that really made her feel like chosen family on the dancefloor. 'In that space, I'm able to sing my heart out and dance my heart out, without the fear of being groped or things like that. Everyone respects personal boundaries, even while dancing.' 'I find joy in spaces and places that I feel at home in. Anywhere that there is love out loud, consideration, and places that I feel safe and secure in. That's what joy looks like for me,' says Darynel Beckford, a regular at a few of Toronto's underground queer Black events. A post shared via Instagram For many like Darynel and Jahmila, these spaces are more than parties — they're lifelines in a city that too often feels cold and fragmented. It's not just about the right music or the perfect aesthetic. It's about safety, affirmation, and community. According to a recent study, 85% of Black queer Canadians reportexperiencing racism in 2SLGBTQ+ spaces, sometimes in the very spaces Black queer Canadians historically led and fought for. For Black queer folk, it can feel like one layer of disappointment after another. You feel the hurt of anti-Black racism in white queer spaces and then you face the pain of queerphobia within parts of your own racial or cultural communities. Many of the rights that 2SLGBTQ+ people thought were set in stone are being rolled back. Corporate DEI commitments are disappearing, and sponsors are pulling support from Toronto Pride. 'It's disheartening', says Lyss West, cofounder of Gyal Segment. 'At times, you want to give up. At times, you want to throw in the towel. At times, they will say, well, what's the point in trying when there's no change? Or, what's the point in doing it when they don't even see us anyways? But they do, right? We do. We do see the impact. We do see the difference. We do see the change. We also see how important this space is." Black queer Torontonians like West are committed to building something louder, bolder, and more enduring: spaces rooted in kinship, intention, and liberation — one gathering, one chosen family, or dance floor at a time. Along with her co-founder Leah Lue-Tenn, the pair have created more than a party, they've built a sanctuary. Gyal Segment paints a striking visual: Caribbean flags adorned on batty-riders sway in motion, as vibrant genres heard throughout the Caribbean linger like your grandmother's Sunday cooking. The party is a bold, affirming space where Black and brown women can show up unapologetically, and skin out without shame. It's a place where BIPOC women and their allies are seen, celebrated, and empowered to be their full selves, upheld by a strict zero-tolerance policy for homophobia, racism, violence, or any form of harm. Lue-Tenn, originally from Kingston, Jamaica and a proud Torontonian since 2013, conceived Gyal Segment in 2020. But with the world on pause due to COVID, she had to hold off on live events until 2022 to bring the vision to life. 'I didn't really know how or where or when I would be able to create a space like that. I was still closeted at the time but I was helping other people put on events. Up until that point in my life, I had only ever put on straight parties in Jamaica and in Toronto itself,' says Lue-Tenn. Everything changed when Lue-Tenn and West crossed paths, forming not just a partnership, but a powerful force for representation and joy. Their first event was a success, drawing big crowds in just 10 days. 'We hit the streets and got over three hundred people to come to our event. We did guerrilla marketing and put ourselves out there,' says Lue-Tenn. 'This was the first time in my life that I had ever really put myself out there in the queer space in that capacity and honestly, the whole experience inspired me to come out to my family.' Now, as Gyal Segment approaches its four-year anniversary on June 27, the founders reflect on the magic they've cultivated. Every gathering is a reminder of how far they've come and how powerful community can be. "What brings me the most joy is that there's always this moment where Lyss and I kind of just look at each other, and then we look at the crowd, and it's like you never really get over how people show up and how much fun they're having.' Lue-Tenn says. 'Looking out at the crowd and just seeing the space that we created for all of these women to just have the time of their life. It literally doesn't matter if there are fifty people there, twenty people there, two hundred people there. I just feel so fulfilled looking around and just seeing people genuinely enjoying themselves.' Carving out belonging in the Greater Toronto Area Darynel Beckford, a 28-year-old queer immigrant from Jamaica who moved to Toronto during the pandemic, reflects on the culture shock of arriving in a new city and the challenge of finding queer-specific spaces that truly felt like home. This was especially difficult as they were just beginning to understand their own queerness. 'I was what you'd call a baby queer,' he explains. 'A lot of the spaces I first encountered weren't fully queer, or queer enough. They were queer-adjacent. You'd catch glimpses of representation here and there, but nothing that really made me feel at home.' Darynel Beckford Photo by Devenae Bryce Feeling the need for spaces that didn't just nod to queerness but celebrated it boldly and unapologetically, Beckford set out to create something of his own, Pear'd Experiences which allowed his curating spirit to truly shine, while spotlighting Black artists within the city. 'I wanted to build spaces that spoke more directly to the Caribbean experience, specifically the Caribbean queer experience, and to make room for the diaspora and for other immigrants like myself to feel seen and supported.' A post shared via Instagram Like Beckford, Elisabeth Clarke, a multidisciplinary artist from Toronto, sought to carve out a space that speaks to her identity. Enter Stud Club: Photo Day, an event Clarke hosted in the Spring of this year. Designed as a celebration of identity and visibility, the event was created specifically for Black studs and masc-presenting women to be seen, celebrated, and captured in their most authentic form. A post shared via Instagram 'Having spaces where people can have deep conversations, and network and actually talk with one another — I think that's very important,' she says. 'The more you connect with people who share that visibility with you, and share that same type of representation, the more you're able to build within these types of groups. That's another extension of creating liberation within our communities. And that's what I think parties and these fulfilling cultural moments [like Stud Club] within the 2SLGBTQ+ community do.' Curating spaces and events that uplift and center the Black 2SLGBTQ+ community doesn't come without its challenges. Noting some rough patches along the way, Lue-Tenn and West of Gyal Segment say they've encountered many roadblocks. 'We have been through hell just to get the spaces that we're taking up now,' says Lue-Tenn, with West in agreement. 'Four years ago, we would have never imagined being in these spaces. We've been able to take queer DJs and put them in spaces that they never thought they'd ever be able to play in. They're so used to playing in these underground spots and these hole-in-the-wall spots, but we're taking up spaces all over the city now. Like no other queer parties have happened there.' With community at the centre, the duo express concern for soaring prices in the nightlife atmosphere and how it may affect their attendees. 'We're at a point now where sometimes they [club organizers] reach out to us to come and hold our event, and we have to let them know: listen… just know that we're providing space for a marginalized group. They don't have the money, okay? They cannot afford eighteen-dollar drinks,' Lue-Tenn says. 'We can't afford to come out of pocket for thousands of dollars just to be able to have our event in your space. We just want more venues to kind of understand and consider it as community work at the end of the day.' Joy, resistance and affirmation. These spaces are built with intention and care, and stand as vital sanctuaries against systemic neglect and hostility. Groups like Gyal Segment, Stud Club, and Pear'd Experiences are offering platforms that centre Black 2SLGBTQ+ people without compromise. Alongside them, pillars such as the Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance and Blocko TO are consistently name dropped in conversations revolving around chosen family and safer spaces, which speaks to their longevity and cultural significance. In the face of adversity, Toronto's Black queer community has never waited for permission to exist — it gathers, celebrates, and supports on its own terms. These events and collectives serve not only as expressions of pride but also as declarations of survival, visibility, and deep-rooted care.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
'I Tried Taylor Swift's Posture-Correcting Sports Bra—Here's My Honest Review'
'I Tried Taylor Swift's Posture-Correcting Sports Bra—Here's My Honest Review' originally appeared on Parade. Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. It pains me (literally) to admit this as a health editor and certified yoga instructor, but I've struggled with poor posture and neck and upper back pain my entire life. I've always had a hard time standing and sitting up straight—even as a little kid!—and while yoga has worked wonders for me over the years, I would still love to hunch less.I still remember the lengths I went to in the months leading up to my wedding seven years ago, so determined not to see photos of myself all hunched over on the big day. I got regular massages (can't complain about that!), did extra yoga and decided not to wear heels because the very act of trying to balance might make my posture worse. So when I saw how ramrod-straight 's posture was during her Eras tour while wearing Louboutin boots, I was obviously impressed.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊I knew from research that she was spotted wearing the Forme Power Bra during her rehearsals, a posture-correcting sports bra designed to help you stand up straighter by semi-forcing your back and shoulders into proper alignment. At $182, it isn't cheap, but when I got the opportunity to try it, I jumped at the chance. Could this be the solution to my hunched shoulders and the tech neck I'd simply learned to live with?Related: I have to be honest: The first thing I noticed when I put this bra on was that it wasn't very comfortable. I don't know why I was expecting it to be (maybe I just assume everything Taylor Swift touches is magic?), but it was tight and restrictive. At the same time, I noticed it was genuinely pulling my shoulders back, which was an interesting sensation, and not one I had felt I wish I could say I had the willpower to wear it 100% of the time, but New York is currently experiencing an oppressive heatwave, and I just need something that makes me feel a little freer most of the time. But I have spent the past few weeks wearing it for all my workouts, which include indoor cycling workouts and yoga honestly? It's making a huge difference. Because of my poor posture (a physical therapist once told me that the upper portion of my back literally does not move, making straightening it very hard), if I'm not extra careful during workouts, I end up with some soreness in my neck and shoulders the next not the good kind. And while wearing this bra isn't the most comfortable experience, it does keep everything aligned while I'm exercising, which is a huge deal. Honestly? Yes. I think that because my spine is forced into alignment while my body is doing something that's truly physically challenging for me, it's become way easier to hold it upright when I'm out and about in the world, wearing my regular bra that isn't all focused on helping me stand up straight. Another thing worth noting about the Forme Power Bra that could be a huge bonus for some people: It's very supportive. While I'm not a very, um, busty person and can typically get away with a sports bra with medium support for even the toughest workouts, for anyone looking for a sports bra that will really keep things tight and compact, this one is a great Whether your motivation for standing up straighter is related to wanting to project confidence, reduce pain or both, I personally think the high price tag on the Forme Power Bra is well worth it. Even though it's not my favorite bra to put on, in just a few weeks I've noticed less pain in my shoulders, back and neck, and a difference in my posture even when I'm not wearing it. So if it's in your budget, give it a shot! It works a lot better than those posture-buzzing devices, in my opinion. Up Next:'I Tried Taylor Swift's Posture-Correcting Sports Bra—Here's My Honest Review' first appeared on Parade on Jun 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
