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Saying I Do

Vicki talks about her decision to renew her vows with Donn, and the emotional ceremony.

By Vicki Gunvalson

 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Peacock and the Bravo App.

Welcome back everyone! After a few weeks of reruns, The Real Housewives of Orange County is back. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season. We spent this year at home in Southern California instead of going to Chicago, and we had a great time.

This week you will see Donn and me renew our vows in beautiful Turks & Caicos. We celebrated 15 years of marriage this year and I felt the timing was right to redo our vows. We had some rough years during the marriage, but vowed to each other to commit to making it better and I thought what better way than to renew our vows. It was a complete surprise to Donn, as I think he thought we were just going on a little vacation for a few days. Little did he know we were going to have another wedding!

I think it's really important for all couples to renew their vows, especially when they've gone through rough times and have realized that there is no other place they'd rather be than with each other. It's as if Donn and I drew a line in the sand and said from this day forward, we are leaving the past behind us and starting a new marriage. It was a magical moment for both of us, because when we recommitted our love to each other it felt as if we were newlyweds again.

I decided on Turks and Caicos because we had never been there before, and I had heard amazing reviews about it. The Grace Bay Report was unlike any place we have ever stayed before. It was absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to go back.

 

When Donn read me the vows he wrote, I was so happy. Hearing how he respects me and loves me is worth everything to me. He loves me for who I am and isn't looking for me to make changes to make him happy. When we first got married, we had so many issues to get through. I was homesick from IL, he had to get used to being a stepparent to Mike and Briana and I was trying to decide whether or not I should go back to work. When Donn said we have an "adult" relationship now, I think he meant that we don't have any games or control issues and we both couldn't be happier than where we are in our lives and with each other.

When Donn and I heard some of the other cast members describe our marriage as "unhealthy," we thought it was mean and rude. If they think my marriage is unhealthy, I'd hate to see what they think healthy is. Donn and I couldn't care less what they think of us anymore and we are happy and that is all that matters. Personally, I don't think you even know you're in an unhealthy relationship until you're out of it. I talk about this a lot in my new book More Than a Housewife about finding your true purpose and happiness. Check it out at www.morethanahousewifebook.com

I just finished my 2010 goal planning and am excited to start back to work after the holidays. Coto Insurance continues to be one of the largest internet-based life insurance companies in the country. If you're one of the 85 million people who does not have life insurance coverage, please contact us online at www.cotoinsurance.com

Happy New Year!
Love,
Vicki

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