Renewing your vows

Amid news that Seal and Heidi Klum are separating, one writer asks a valid question: "Do vow renewals always mean divorce?"

The answer is no, of course.

But I can't hear the phrase "vow renewal" without thinking about Vicki Gunvalson, a "Real Housewives of Orange County" cast member who renewed her vows in an elaborate on-camera ceremony.

Shortly after that, her marriage ended.

I agree with the writer's assertion that renewing your vows can sometimes be "a last-ditch effort to save a failing relationship."

Nonetheless, it seems like the ceremonies have become much more common in recent years. I've heard of people renewing their vows after being married for less than five years.

Is that a bad thing? No...unless you're renewing your vows annually, in ways that rival the fanciness of your wedding.

If that's the case, I'd argue you're defining your relationship by ceremonies, rather than the values those ceremonies are designed to represent.

What do you think about vow renewal ceremonies?