Jessica and Robert’s Wedding
Today we have been invited to share with Jessica and Robert a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.
Who supports this couple in their marriage?
ANSWERED BY ALL PARENTS: We do.
Let’s begin with a love poem by Hafiz
Out
Of a great need
We are all holding hands
And climbing.
Not loving is a letting go.
Listen,
The terrain around here
Is
Far too
Dangerous
For
That.
Love comes from many different directions and grows in many different directions. Sometimes love can be a friendship that catches fire slowly. Perhaps you work together for a time, gradually getting to know each other. You are both part of a larger group and you discover mutual interests. You eventually do something together, just the two of you, because it feels nice to be with someone who gets you, who doesn’t expect you to be anyone except you. And that mutual sharing and loyalty creates a confidence and quiet understanding that blooms into something bigger than friendship, something built from a cornerstone of friendship. One day, sooner or not so soon, you see each other for who you have become to one another: partner, lover, friend. Secret-sharer. Motivator. Confidence builder. Home.
That is the way that love came to Jessica and Robert, who stand before you, their dearest friends, treasured family, and their precious son, Sebastian. Before you they profess their love for one another and their desire to share a life together.
TO THE COUPLE: Please join hands and face each other. Will you, Robert, take this woman to be your wedded wife; to love, honor, and respect in sickness and in health, for the rest of your life?
ROBERT: I will.
OFFICIANT: And will you, Jessica, take this man to be your wedded husband; to love, honor, and respect in sickness and in health, for the rest of your life?
JESSICA: I will.
ROBERT: Jessica, I take you to be my wife. I promise to choose you every day, to love you in word and deed, to do the hard work of making a family with you and being a family to you. To laugh and cry with you, to grow and create with you. To honor and respect you. I love what I know of you and trust what I don’t yet know. Will you stand by my side and be my partner in life?
JESSICA: I will. Robert, I take you to be my husband. I promise to be honest, caring, and truthful and love you as you are. I want to be by your side always as your love and your best friend. I promise to work hard to help you create a home and a family that we can be proud of. Will you stand by my side and be my partner in life?
ROBERT: I will.
You may now exchange rings. The ring, an unbroken circle, represents unending love. Whenever your gaze falls upon your ring, may you be reminded of this moment and the love you have promised to one another.
Jessica and Robert, you have pledged your faith to each other in the company of your cherished friends and family. May your life be as beautiful on each day you share as it is on this day of celebration. May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage even stronger, and may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest love.
And now, by the power vested in me by the State of Arizona, I pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss!
A Lucky Sixpence 