Weddingbee Blog

After a heartfelt welcome and a brief opening benediction, Reverend Tuttle transitioned into the reading we had selected to kick off the ceremony.

{The Promise}

Eileen Rafter

{Photo by Aruna B. Photography}

The sun danced on the snow with a glittering smile,

As two lovers sat quietly, alone for a while.

Then he turned and said, with a casual air,

(though he blushed from his chin to the tips of his hair)

“I think I’d quite like to get married to you.”

“Well then,” she said, “Well there’s a thought,

But what if we can’t promise to be all that we ought?

Can you promise me, say, you won’t grumble and shout

If I’m late yet again, when we plan to go out?

For I know I can’t say I’ll learn to ignore

Dirty socks and damp towels strewn all over the floor.

So if we can’t promise to be all that we should

I’m not sure what to do, though the idea’s quite good.”

But he gently smiled and tilted his head

Till his lips met her ear and softly he said,

“I promise, to weave my dreams into your own.

That wherever you breathe will be my heart’s home.

I promise, that whether with rags or with gold I am blessed

Your smile is the jewel I will treasure the best.

Do you think then, my love, we should marry, do you?”

“Yes” she said smiling “I do.”

Friends and family, we are gathered here to witness and celebrate the love that makes the marriage of Holly and Peter possible today. But, what is marriage? And, if we have love, why do we need marriage? Marriage is a promise of companionship, of having someone to share all of life’s experiences. It does not promise that there will not be any rough times; just the assurance that there will always be someone who cares and will help you through to better times. Marriage does not promise eternal romance, just eternal love and commitment. Marriage cannot prevent disappointments, disillusionment, or grief, but it can offer hope, acceptance, and comfort. Marriage can’t protect you from making individual choices or shelter you from the world, but it will help to reassure you that there is some by your side who truly cares. When the world hurts you and makes you feel vulnerable, marriage offers the promise that there will be someone waiting to listen, to console, to inspire.

Marriage is the joining of two people who share the promise that only marriage can make: to share the sunshine and the shadows, and to experience a richer, more fulfilling life because of it. Mark Twain once said that “marriage makes two fractional lives a whole. It gives to two questioning natures a reason for living. It brings a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life.”

My parents celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary at the end of this month

And Love! Love is the most incredible of all the experiences that touch our lives: it creates for us the world that we want to live in. From the beginning of our lives, we know that love is the power that comforts and protects us; it is the one feeling that we can depend upon to help us through life’s ups and downs. A quote I remember from Thomas Merton is that “the beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we see in them.”

Love is also the understanding and security that never changes. It allows us to be ourselves and feel self confident. Today, as the two of you join together and commit your love to each other, remember the lessons of love that you have always known: let your love comfort, support and encourage you. Let your love be the best part of your lives. Always know that it will make everything better and it will make your world a place of happiness.

Peter, do you take Holly

to be your partner in life, love, and all things?

Do you vow to love her and care for her

For as long as you both shall live?

Do you accept her, with all of her faults and strengths,

And offer yourself to her with all of your own faults and strengths?

Do you promise to help her when she needs help,

and to turn to her when you need help?

Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion

and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?

I do.

Holly, do you take Peter

to be your partner in life, love, and all things?

Do you vow to love him and care for him

For as long as you both shall live?

Do you accept him, with all of his faults and strengths,

And offer yourself to him with all of your own faults and strengths?

Do you promise to help him when he needs help,

and to turn to him when you need help?

Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion

and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?

I do.

*All photos by Aruna B. Photography

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