Forever and Always

        I really like this song.  The verses aren't particularly well written or performed, but the chorus is beautiful (to me).  What stands out to me is that it upholds what really matters in marriage (well, in the basic sense of the promise between a man and woman).  I also value the distinction between "forever" and "forever and always."  It's the difference between "I'll love you forever", and "I'll love you forever: even when I'm angry or depressed, frustrated and tired. Forever and always"  They sound the same at first, but a closer look reveals a deeper level of commitment.
         Read the lyrics while listening (please listen to it, the lyrics don't carry the same impact without the music):

Play: Forever and Always

She's sitting at the table, the hours getting later
He was supposed to be here
She's sure he would have called
She waits a little longer, there's no one in the driveway
No one's said they've seen him
Why, is something wrong?
She looks back to the window
Suddenly the phone rings
A voice says something's happened
That she should come right now
Her mind goes to December
She thinks of when he asked her
He bent down on his knee first
And he said

I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together
Forever and always


She pulls up to the entrance
She walks right to the front desk
They lead her down a million halls, a maze that's never ending
They talk about what happened but she can barely hear them
She tries to keep a straight face as she walks into the room
She sits by his bedside, holds his hand too tight
They talk about the kids they're gonna have and the good life
The house on the hillside, where they would stay


Stay there forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether rich or for poor or for better
We'll still love each other, forever and always


Then she gets an idea and calls in the nurses
Brings up the chaplain and he says a couple verses
She borrows some rings from the couple next door
Everybody's laughing as the tears fall on the floor
She looks into his eyes, and she says


I want you forever, forever and always
Through the good and the bad and the ugly
We'll grow old together, and always remember
Whether happy or sad or whatever
We'll still love each other, forever and always
Forever and always, forever and always

She finishes the vows but the beeps are getting too slow
His voice is almost too low as he says,

I'll love you forever, forever and always
Please just remember even if I'm not there
I'll always love you, forever and always