[Intro – Acoustic guitar and upright piano, soft wind, creaking of a porch swing] Ain’t no preacher here. No bouquet, no aisle. Just the sun settin’ slow, And the way your smile Makes the world hush. So baby, pull up close— I got somethin’ I been holdin’ Right here in my chest. ⸻ [Verse 1 – Bare, honest, deep Southern croon] I vow to love you in your quiet and your storms, In the heat of your fire and the chill of your forms. To see you not just as fine, but as fierce, And to never let your spirit fall beneath my fears. I vow to bring peace where the world brings pain, To hold you when you ache, to dance with you in rain. To build you a love that don’t rattle or sway— A porch that don’t creak when the skies turn gray. ⸻ [Chorus – Gentle harmony joins in like the stars] These are my back porch vows, barefoot and true, Promised in the breeze, not a church pew. Ain’t no steeple here, but I swear on this sky— I’ll love you ‘til the crows stop flyin’ high. No white dress, no wedding crowd sounds— Just you, mon chéri, and forever spelled out. In the hush of the South, in the glow of dusk light— I give you my name, my soul, my life. ⸻ [Verse 2 – A little stronger, more resolve in the voice] I vow to raise our children with you hand in hand, To teach our boys honor, help our girls understand That love ain’t just roses or sweet southern tea— It’s loyalty, faith… and learnin’ to never flee. I vow to let your dreams be my mission too, To fight for your fire, to keep pushin’ you through. To lay every brick of this life we create, With patience, with purpose, with heaven-weight faith. ⸻ [Chorus – Fuller now, harmonies rising like a gospel promise] These are my back porch vows, whispered slow, With the crickets and the stars both in tow. Ain’t no ring needed to make this feel right— You’ve had my heart since that very first night. Ain’t no preacher but the wind through the trees, Sayin’ “Amen” when you lean into me. So baby if you’ll have it, if you’ll hold this truth— I’ll be your shelter, your soldier, your proof. ⸻ [Bridge – Spoken, eyes closed, hand on her cheek] I ain’t just choosin’ you today. I’m choosin’ you every time it hurts. Every time it’s hard. Every time the world says give up— I’ll still pick up your hand And call it home. ⸻ [Final Chorus – Soft again, back to just guitar, whisper-sung] These are my back porch vows, humble and plain, But baby, they carry your name like a flame. I’ll honor, I’ll hold, I’ll stay through the fight— And love you in silence… Just like tonight. ⸻ [Outro – Wind chimes, soft “I love you” whispered] Ain’t no altar stronger… Than the porch where you said, “Yes.”

The Back Porch Vows