One of My Favorite Experiences

We were doing some cleaning today and I came across something beautiful I wanted to share.

Three years ago, my sister-in-law asked me to perform her wedding ceremony. Not only did I get to officiate, I got to write the wedding “sermon.” I read it this morning and thought I’d share it (with some personal bits removed)…

We’re gathered here this afternoon, in this beautiful place, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, to give recognition to the value and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words that will unite Fielding and Michael in marriage.

Fielding and Michael, we start life out as individuals, but you know what?  God says it’s not good for us to be alone, so He created within each of us a driving desire to find someone…to find THAT SPECIAL someone…and you guys did it!  You found each other.
It wasn’t easy.  It might have even taken longer than you would have wanted, but it happened and when it happened, you knew.
And now today, you guys begin a life-long adventure of love.  Your life together is blessed by God and it’s blessed by us, your friends and family.

When Fielding and Michael asked me to perform this ceremony, I was excited because I LOVE love!  And, I love weddings because a wedding is a formal celebration of love…a time when friends and family join together to acknowledge love is more than just a chemical reaction or an emotion that comes and goes. It’s a decision that changes your lives as solitary individuals into a team ready to take on the world, with all it’s ups and downs.

The Bible says, Love never gives up.  Love cares more for other than for self.  Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.  Love isn’t proud.  It isn’t me first.  It doesn’t take pleasure in the sins of others.  It puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back and keeps going to the end.  Love never dies.

A movie called love “a many splendored thing.”

John Lennon says, “All you need is love.”

Shakespeare says, “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, but bears it out even to the edge of doom.”

I say, nothing is more awesome than love, so my question for you guys, is this…are you ready to get married?

Then let’s do it.

Michael, do you take Fielding to be your Wife? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others, holding only unto her? (“I do”)

Fielding, do you take Michael to be your Husband? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor , cherish and protect him, forsaking all others, holding only unto him? (“I do”)

Wearing wedding rings is an outward symbol of your inner commitment to each other and a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. You give love and receive love and the circle goes on and on without end. Each time you glance down and see the rings on your fingers, you’re sure to remember the vows you’re taking today.

Michael, as you place the ring on Fielding’s finger, repeat after me:

I, Michael, take thee, Fielding to be my Wife.  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore. With this ring, I thee wed. all my love, I thee give to thee.”

Fielding, as you place the ring on Michael’s finger, repeat after me:

I , Fielding, take thee , Michael, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise My love to you forevermore. With this ring, I thee wed. all my love, I give to thee.”

Fielding and Michael as the two of you come into this marriage united as husband and wife, you are affirming your faith and love for each another.  I ask you to always remember to cherish each other as special and unique.  I ask you to respect each other’s thoughts, ideas and suggestions. Be able to forgive without holding grudges.  Be best friends and enjoy your life together.  From now on, you’re each other’s home, comfort and refuge.  Your marriage is strengthened by your love and respect for each other.

Let’s pray.  God, just as you made the ocean a delightful, beautiful place to be, you made love and marriage.  You didn’t have to, but I’m so glad You did.  I ask you to bless Michael and Fielding throughout their lives together.  Join them together so nothing on earth or beyond will shake their love for each other.  Amen

Today, Fielding and Michael honored us all with an invitation to witness their wedding, and also today, they declare before all of us that they will live together as a team in marriage.  According to tradition, they entered into their marriage by joining hands, taking vows, and by exchanging rings.  Therefore, it is my pleasure, to pronounce them husband and wife.  Congratulations, Michael, you may kiss your bride!

Break the glass and Mozel Tov!

I’m so grateful to Fielding and Michael for giving me the honor of performing the ceremony to bring them together in marriage. It was one of the greatest joys of my life. They had a baby girl in January and named her, Campbell, but it’s only a coincidence that it is also my last name. Fielding wanted to name a daughter that long, long ago. Still, it’s pretty cool!