GREETING AND OPENING STATEMENTS Good Evening...I am truly honored to be here today to joyfully witness and celebrate an act of deep love between Robert Michael Danforth and Jennifer Marie Simmons. Robert and Jennifer---Because of your devotion, respect, and love for each other...you have expressed your intention to dedicate yourselves to each other’s lifelong happiness and well-being, and have shared that it is your heart’s desire to do so as husband and wife, living together as one in the sacred bonds of marriage. The two of you are joined to one another beyond time, for in truth your love for each other has always been...and will always be....For love simply is. You were each other's first love, and now you will be each other’s last. It is a such a rare and beautiful thing to encounter, and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of this joyful celebration of your love. Today is a special and wonderful day in your lives, and to have your families here to share in your commitment to each other is truly heartwarming. On behalf of Rob and Jennifer, I would like to extend a sincere ‘thank you’ to each and every one of you, who all have played some part in bringing them here to this moment as the wonderful people they are today. Love is the glorious gift given by God to each of His children, to be shared and extended. It is the process of creation---and the lesson which you have chosen to learn from your lives to this point, and to share through your life together. This is the holy agreement of the sacrament of matrimony---to share, reflect, and radiate God’s love to one another, so that each of you is constantly reminded of the incredible goodness of this life which is given to all of us by Our Creator. It is only with this knowledge that you can then extend that love outward to the world around you. OPENING READING BY THE OFFICIANT A spiritual union, a committed partnership, is the supreme sharing, perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. As you know, marriage is not only a commitment between lovers, it is also an agreement between two friends. In "The Art of Marriage", it reads: Allow each other time to be an individual, respect each other’s wishes as well as their dreams. Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. Remember that the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking each other for granted: the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the spirit of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo, or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. THE QUESTION OF CONSENT As the estate of wedlock is a Holy one, and is meant to be undertaken always under the guidance of infinite wisdom and divine love, it is fitting that we pause and realize the presence of God at this time. And so, Robert and Jennifer, I ask now that you both turn within for a moment of inner reflection and prayer, as you silently consecrate and dedicate your lives to one another before God....(couple take a moment for silent reflection)...And now, having done so, if at this time you wish to reaffirm your free choice to unite as partners in marriage, please indicate as much by joining your hands together. THE PROMISE Do you, Robert, choose this woman, Jennifer, to be your wife? Do you promise to stand strong with her in times of joy and in times of trouble? To speak kindly, and listen intently to her...to honor and appreciate her...to provide for her needs and support her in reaching for her goals...Do you promise to share your hopes and thoughts and dreams with her...to build your lives together on a foundation of honesty and trust...to keep her as your best friend and only love...and to strive each day to fill the home that you share with peace, happiness, and love? If so, please answer now, 'I do.' (Rob Answers): “I do” And do you, Jennifer, choose this man, Robert, as your husband? Do you promise to stand strong with him in times of joy and in times of trouble? To speak kindly, and listen intently to him...to honor and appreciate him...to provide for his needs and support him in reaching for his goals...Do you promise to share your hopes and thoughts and dreams with him...to build your life together on a foundation of honesty and trust...to keep him as your best friend and only love...and to strive each day to fill the home that you share with peace, happiness, and love? If so, please answer now, 'I do.' (Jennifer answers): “I Do” THE VOWS At this time, will you now please make your vows to one another, repeating after me, and starting with Robert? From before time I have chosen you--- My heart’s most beloved, and my truest companion--- To be my wife and partner. I vow to stand by your side and sleep in your arms, To be joy to your heart and food to your soul, To celebrate with you in the good times, To struggle with you in the difficult times, To hold you when you feel lost or afraid, To kiss away your tears, To share with you all I have to give, To strive always to bring out the best in you, And to be the kind of husband you deserve--- Strong, Loving, Faithful, and Understanding. I promise we will never be too old to hold hands, Or to laugh and play together, And I vow that I will treasure you above all others For all the days of our lives. And now Jennifer, please repeat after me your vows to Robert: From before time I have chosen you--- My heart’s most beloved, and my truest companion--- To be my husband and partner; I vow to stand by your side and sleep in your arms To be joy to your heart and food to your soul, To celebrate with you in the good times, To struggle with you in the difficult times, To hold you when you feel lost or afraid, To kiss away your tears, To share with you all I have to give, To strive always to bring out the best in you, And to be the kind of wife you deserve--- Strong, Loving, Faithful, and Understanding. I promise we will never be too old to hold hands, Or to laugh and play together, And I vow that I will treasure you above all others For all the days of our lives. RINGS May I have the rings? The wedding ring has long been a symbol of commitment. It is an infinite circle representing an enduring love which, like a circle, is without beginning and without end. The circle is also a reminder of the wheel of life which turns as we go, carrying us around through times of joy and sorrow, of success, and adversity. If we position ourselves at the hub of the wheel, then as the wheel turns we remain centered and less affected by the problems of everyday circumstances. Your choice to be married to one another is a choice to step together into this center, so that you may be a source of strength for and with one another. Thus, your exchange of these wedding rings will symbolize this choice. Lord, bless these rings and the two who exchange them. Fill them with your joy and presence. Keep them safe in the circle of your protection and love. Amen. Robert, please take the ring you have selected, and as you place it on Jennifer’s wedding finger, please repeat after me these words: I, Robert, choose you, Jennifer, To be no other than your true self. I make this promise loving what I know of you, And trusting what I do not yet know, With this ring I give myself to you--- Completely, eternally, and without reservation And make my home in your heart--- Now and forevermore. Jennifer, please take the ring you have selected, and place it on Robert’s wedding finger as you repeat after me these words: I, Jennifer, choose you, Robert, To be no other than your true self. I make this promise loving what I know of you, And trusting what I do not yet know, With this ring I give myself to you--- Completely, eternally, and without reservation And make my home in your heart--- Now and forevermore. UNITY CANDLE Engaging in the most traditional components of a wedding service---the clasping of hands, the exchange of rings and of vows---means that you not only speak, but also act in regard to your promises. You are in so many ways acknowledging your decision to become as one, and you are making tangible your deep commitment to your union… All of these actions amount to a symbolic prayer that God will not only enhance and bless you as unique individuals: but that He will also make of your hands ONE hand...of your hearts ONE heart...and of your lives ONE life. When the flames of two separate candles join together, a single brighter light is created. And so I ask that you each take a candle and light the center candle now to symbolize the bright and beautiful union of your hearts in marriage on this day...(bride and groom light the unity candle)... Now as you light this unity candle together, may it symbolize that today you become as one....hand in hand, heart to heart, and soul to soul. May the brightness of this light shine throughout your lives, giving you courage and reassurance in the darkness. May its warmth give you shelter from the cold, and may its energy fill your spirits with strength and joy. FAMILY VOWS In marriage our lives are merged, even as we remain individuals. But today we unite not only two hearts. In fact, this marriage represents the blending together of two homes to one home, two families into one family, eight hearts into one heart, and many colors into one rainbow. The two of you have been truly blessed with six wonderful children. You have watched their relationships grow with each passing day and witnessed the arms of love enveloping you all. The investment that you continue to put forth into this “Brady-Bunch-with-a-twist” family has been nurtured in love, commitment, respect, and understanding. May you continue to make each other and your children a priority, so that you will always feel the strength of your foundation, the warmth of the word ‘family’, and the security of the word ‘home’. Marriage joins not only two lives, but two families.... And so, just as they have vowed their love and commitment to one another on this day, Rob and Jennifer have also expressed to me their intention to make similar vows of love and commitment to one another's children at this time. Now, Jennifer, please repeat after me: I, Jennifer, Choose you, Rob, Kelli, Simon, & Ryan To be my family Rob, please repeat after me: I, Rob, Choose you, Jennifer, Veronica, Jonathan, and Racquel, To be my family Now, please repeat together after me your promises to your newly-bonded family: Today as we become husband and wife, We welcome all of you together into one family. Because we recognize you all as precious gifts from God, We promise to be there not only for each other, But for all of you as well. We vow to comfort and care for you, To protect and guide you, Honor and respect you, And to provide for you to the best of our ability. We promise to make our home a haven--- Where trust, love, & laughter are abundant. Most of all, we vow to love you with all of our hearts. We make these promises lovingly and freely, And vow to honor them all the days of our lives. May your love for each other light your lives, both individually and together as a family. CLOSING REMARKS Rob and Jennifer---When the two of you met, you were so very young, yet even then, you touched each other's hearts, and left there an indelible mark. And though life and time pulled you in different directions for more than a few years, you have shared with me that your thoughts drifted back to one another time and again as the years went by. I know that you have both wondered all the “what-ifs”...yet I also know that those thoughts quickly vanish when you look into the beautiful faces of your children. Your paths took their own turns because God had a plan...a plan that gave you six wonderful children between you. For that plan, both of your lives have been blessed abundantly. One only needs to be in your presence to see and feel the eternal connection between you...a connection that was quite obviously instant and undeniable....and has proved itself also to be true, deep, and lasting. You are confidantes, soul-mates, and best friends. For that, and for your past, present, and future.....you should always be thankful for God’s great gift to you---the chance to love each other....again. PRAYER & PRONOUNCEMENT Let us pray. God of Love and Light, We ask that You bless this couple and give them the strength to weather life’s storms, the faith to trust in you, in each other, and in the sacred bonds of marriage, and the love to carry them through this life and beyond in the state of perfect union that you intend for them. Bless them with friendship, health, and prosperity. And let them always remember to be thankful for the gift they have found in each other. Let their home be a sanctuary of comfort, peace, and joy to the two of them and to the new family created here today. Let all who cross their path be touched by the light of their love, and let them be touched by Your goodness all the days of their lives. We ask these things of You with joyful, grateful, and humble hearts. Amen. Marriage is a sacrament not because of its sacred obligations, but because of the unequaled and glorious opportunity it presents. Your relationship affords you the chance to decide, to expand, and to be who you most truly are. And so, Robert and Jennifer, inasmuch as you have openly declared your wishes to be united in marriage, and have confirmed the same by joining hands to vow your eternal love, by the giving and receiving of rings, and by the power of the promises you have made to one another on this day...And of course, by the power vested in me by the State of Delaware---It is now my honor and my delight to pronounce that from this moment forward, you are husband and wife. You may kiss your bride! BENEDICTION & PRESENTATION As you go forth into the world now as one, my charge to you springs from both of your own ancestral traditions... I give to you now the words of both the Navajo people and of the Irish: Be swift like the wind in loving each other. Be brave like the sea in loving each other. Be gentle like the breeze in loving each other. Be patient like the sun who waits and watches the four changes of the earth in loving each other. Be shining like the morning dawn in loving each other. Be proud like the tree who stands without bending in loving each other. Be brilliant like the rainbow colors in loving each other. Now and forever there will be no more loneliness, because your worlds are joined together. May God bless and keep you. May God’s presence shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God lift up his countenance upon you and grant you peace. It is with great joy that I present to all those gathered here.... Mr & Mrs Robert  & Jennifer Danforth!

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