They told me to marry my best friend?
they warned me—do NOT marry your lover?
and the slogan on the back of the toilet door said—
"Wed the soul who lifts you up and won’t slip over."
You do lift me up, but not because you send me motivational quotes,
or leave me little love notes,
or smile at me every time I have a frog in my throat,
or lend me your coat
(which you do, do—thank you).
But it’s because you’re my hero,
and being around you levitates my soul.
You pick up the broken pieces off the floor
and so gently, so beautifully, tend to the sore—
The one that lives in me and in some ways will always be
But is less tender every day
That I get to be in the same place
As you
POETRY
Claudia & Nicholas
Stockyard Creek Homestead
Howqua Hills, Howqua Aus
7.12.24
Inspired by deeply personal declarations, I (Renee) of Tobi Tobi have begun writing pieces—poems, musings, and reflections—woven from the vows of lovers.
The ultimate vision is to bring these words together in a beautifully crafted coffee table book.
A note to the reader
At times, a line may feel unusual, a phrase unexpected—that is love in its rawest form. These words are real, drawn from real vows, real hearts. If something feels out of place, know that it is exactly where it belongs—for the lovers it was written for.
I
You said I looked like a real estate agent,
but I didn’t mind.
It’s been 1,454 days since we met—
but who’s counting time?
I want to marry you.
Not for the shared meals,
the split chores,
or to prove our love to the world.
But because everything that matters in life
deserves to be taken seriously.
Because life was unbearably ordinary
without you.
Happiness is meant to be shared.
Sorrow is easier to bear
with someone.
And as the world spins by,
fast and strange,
I’ll be unwavering.
I’ve placed my heart in a box on your ocean,
and I’ll be there—
calm, waves, or frozen.
Wherever you go, I’ll be floating,
forever
with you.
Lu & Karyn
Montsalvat
7.2.25
2
Inspired by 1000 vows
(working title)
Leemy, Leemo, lover
You led me to believe you were this
easy, breezy, beautiful cover—
girl.
But beneath that lovely sheath,
there are sweet complexities—
and I could dance there every day,
in your vulnerability.
Helping you unravel
those beautifully tangled thoughts
you get caught in.
Doing silly dances
just to steal your sideways glances
that say, “You fool, I love you.”
I know you do…
And I’ll dance for you daily,
and drive you just the right amount of crazy,
if you’ll always love me too
3
Mitch & Liam
Rosemont Stud
8.2.25
Sophie & Dayne
Masseria Potenti
16.08.22
Sweet Sophie Rose
I think of you in every breath—
Infatuation on my chest,
Beating for your very existence.
When I met you,
I knew—
This is what true love feels like.
And from that moment on,
I spent every day
Trying to make you feel the same way.
Dear Dayne,
I do feel the same.
Our minds
are wholly aligned,
and our souls — intertwined.
You’re my
sunshine personified.
And I vow to be your confidant,
your fearless co-traveler —
go-karting in Tokyo,
sunset swaying in Puglia…
All while, every day,
exploring the most beautiful place —
you.
Always, in all ways,
you are my Wonderwall.
4
Lindsey & Adam
The Prince Hotel
19.02.22
The single most extraordinary thing I have ever done with my life
Was fall in love with you.
Your smile melts my heart
And lights up every room.
Because of you,
I can feel myself becoming
The person I have always dreamed of being.
I turn the pages of life—fearless,
Because the book is you,
And I want to know what happens next.
Instead of being scared,
I feel completely prepared,
Like I could take on anything.
Like I finally know the secret,
Because you let me in on it.
Is the secret you?
Could it really be that simple?
That all I had to do was find you—
And then everything would make sense.
However crazy it gets…
Yes.