Friends, Family;
We are here to celebrate the marriage of two very lucky individuals. Marriage is sacred and divine. It is a celebration between two souls opening themselves up to one another, in a bond that cannot be measured on a worldly scale. It is about Love, trust, communication, and forgiveness.
- Love unceasingly, Love deep, Love hard, Love strong. Let the love flow wild and free. Don't let any fears keep you from sharing that love.
- Encourage each other in your dreams and desires don't discourage each other in any way.
- Make goals together.
- Share everything with one another.
- Your struggles are common, no matter how difficult and different they may seem. As big a deal as they may seem at the time, trust me, they aren't. Laugh through them with each other.
- Enjoy the journey together.
- Hold hands.
- Trust each other fully and don't break that trust.
- When you have arguments: Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to forgive and forget, but that's exactly what you need to do.
- Never go to bed angry.
- Trust; give each other your full trust. Go all in, you won't regret it. Give your entire heart, your entire love, your entire allegiance, your entire loyalty.
Loyalty means you put the other in your marriage first all the time, and you let them put you first. Loyalty means subverting your whims or desires of the moment to better meet your spouse's whims or desires, with the full understanding and expectation that they will be doing the same. This is the heart of everything and it’s a tricky balance. Sometimes it’s sways one way and sometimes the other. Sometimes he gets to be crazy, sometimes it’s your turn. Sometimes she's in the spotlight, sometimes you. Ups and downs ultimately don't matter, because the team endures.
Because marriage is such an important relationship in life, it needs and deserves time. Do not give higher priority to less-important commitments. Take time to talk together and to listen to one another. Use tender, loving, communication as a tool to help navigate. Be thoughtful and respectful. Express tender feelings and affection often. Determine that nothing will ever come between you and your sweetheart to disrupt your marriage. Resolve to make your marriage succeed, in spite of the challenges that arise.
Marriage is a journey together not a destination, It is the greatest adventure you will ever undertake. It's taking each other along for the ride. You realize that your journey together started when you first met. That is when the seed of your relationship came into being. You have nourished it through your many experiences together which have brought you closer together as friends; And now as husband and wife. This ceremony is but a stepping stone along the path of your marriage.
No ceremony can create a marriage. These are just words. Only the two of you can do that - It's your choice to build your marriage through love, patience, dedication and perseverance; through talking, understanding, listening, trusting, helping, supporting and believing in each other.
As you take these vows remember this:
To love is to come together from the pathways of our past and then move forward...Hand in hand, along the uncharted roads of our future, ready to risk, to dream, and to dare... And always believe that all things are possible with faith and love in each other.
Rings and Vows part of the ceremony:
I'm going to read a poem called:
"Blessing of the Hands"
These are the hands of your best friend, young, strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes;
tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving the you same unspoken tenderness with
just a touch.
-Author Unknown
Please place the rings on each others fingers.
You have joined hands touching your ring fingers together. As the tradition goes, the ring finger is the only finger that has a vein that leads directly to the heart. In this way, as you go throughout life, you need only look at the ring on your finger to be reminded of the direct connection to each others hearts.
The round shape of the ring has important significance, in that it represents an endless round. Like the love you have for one another. It goes on without end.
The rings you placed on each others fingers are a symbolic reminder of this unity, and the wholeness and connection with one another's hearts.
The "I Do's"
Do you, James, take Kathleen to be your wife,
to be her constant friend, her partner in life, and her true love.
To love her without reservation, honor and respect her, protect her from harm, comfort her in times of distress, and to grow with her in mind and spirit?
Do you, Kathleen, take James to be your husband,
to be his constant friend, his partner in life, and his true love.
To love him without reservation, honor and respect him, protect him from harm, comfort him in times of distress, and to grow with him in mind and spirit?
In the presence of these family and friends I now pronounce you husband and wife!
You may kiss the bride!
Friends and Family, it is my great joy and pleasure to present to you...
James and Kathleen Gage!
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