6.12.2016
Simone. Christina. The story of your life together is yours to write. All of us here are thrilled and honored to be a part of the story as it is being told.
This beginning of yours holds hope and promise as you set out towards husband and wife. And today is beautiful. Making a home together. Making her happiness more than real. Making of two the heart of one.
Something that stands out today is that you both, are giving Ash Trinity a family. In fact, you were so immediately her family—you were family before you were ever in love. The gift of love given here is beyond and between you both. With joy I am happy to see this day. You decided to marry. Congrats!
From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or even in passing—all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married,” and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will”—all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”—and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart are becoming real. All these common things, and more, are the substance of a wedding. They brought you both to this day. After today you shall say to the world—“This is my husband.” “This is my wife.”
By taking the vows you’re about to take, you’re declaring that the very foundation of your life together is a promise more precious than any riches. The ground that you walk on, the roof over your heads, the walls that surround you—the raw material for all of it is a love that is both rich and enriching. It’s an embarrassment of riches.
Here’s my charge to you: Live in the grace you’ve been given. Jonathon Rogers
Love it will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free.”—Mumford & Sons
Love when it’s easy and when it’s hard and know that God is love and as you hold to each other you hold to Him. He is the love that endures that remains that is faithful and He will ever be faithful to you. Simon will be faithful to you, Christina. Christina will be faithful to you, Simon. By standing here and taking the vows you’re about to take, the two of you are putting yourselves in a position to lay hold of more happiness than anyone ever deserves. Not everybody gets that chance.
So take a step back today, look at all the beautiful days you have shared and the love you have tasted. Look at each other and pause to see one another this day. You each have been chosen, by love by God himself to give your life to each other.
VOWS
“Do you Simon, take Christina to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love her, support her, believing in her, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?”
HE SAYS I DO
“Do you Christina, take Simon to be your lawfully wedded husband, promising to love him, be supportive of him, believing in him, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long as you both shall live?”
SHE SAYS I DO
RINGS Exchange
“Wedding rings are made precious by our love who wears them. Your rings say you belong to one another and are bound together. May these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. As you are apart touch it with your right hand and remember the giver of this ring is both lover and strength. As you wear them may they remind you of the vows you have taken here today.”
Christina, please pick up Simon’s left hand, look him in the eye, and repeat after me:
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
Simon, please pick up Christina’s left hand, look her in the eye, and repeat after me:
“With this ring, I thee wed.”
Before we finish, I want to remind you of a quote that you might be familiar with. The context is different—no one is vanquishing a Dark Lord here—but the intent still rings true: “You are protected, in short, by your ability to love.”
I think that says a lot. The ability to love and be loved is an incredible one, and seeing the two of you rise to this commitment is beautiful.
And now we’re here: I am beyond honored to announce you two as husband and wife, and the three of you as family.
You may kiss this day and everyday from now on.
“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
