“There’s a yearning in them, and that all wants to be expressed in terms of the sacred and the holy and within the context of God’s presence,” says Rev. Ann Abernethy, a United Church of Christ pastor.

Watch more of our interview about religious services of commitment with UCC minister and retirement community chaplain Ann Abernethy, who says, “One of the great gifts of being a clergy person is that we are really invited into people’s lives at a time of blessing.”

Young Mormons are pursuing their educations and careers “not with the purpose of delaying marriage, but with the idea that we want to have a full life that includes all of those things,” says Beverli Jo DeWalt, a single Mormon woman.

"For me personally, it's so encouraging to be surrounded by people who believe in marriage, who are working at it, who love each other," says Kathy Berkemeyer, who together with her husband Jack celebrated Valentine's Day by renewing their vows at the annual Mass for Lovers ceremony held in Old St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Chicago.