Since she was away when you got sick, it probably seemed "sudden" to her and I don't know what your symptoms were but they can be pretty scary to those who are clueless. I think someone now, getting to know you in person better or more familiar with bipolar disorder might not be as afraid of what is to come?

I don't know that many, especially younger people, really think about the words of the marriage ceremony (many being anxious to write their own vows that may/may not even include those words) very seriously.

Even my husband, a year or so after we were married we were riding in the car and an ad came on the radio for a steamy romance murder mystery novel, "He promised her X, Y, and Z but gave her A, B, and C. . ." and my husband turned to me and asked, "When we married did I promise you anything?" and I had to gently remind him of his vows? (the traditional ones).