for
Celebrant:
It is one of life’s richest
surprises when the accidental meeting of two individuals leads them to proceed
together along a common path. It is indeed one of life’s finest experiences
when a chance relationship grows into a permanent
bond of love. This meeting and this growing are what bring us together
today.
The uniting in a marriage of these
two friends to establish a new family is an important and memorable event. It
brings together two separate families and backgrounds and creates a union that
is a sign of hope in the midst of a sometimes intolerant society.
In their love for each other,
which they publicly express in this ceremony, Salli
and Hillary demonstrate not only their joy in the present but their commitment
to share the future together. This is a time of celebration for all of us who
know and love them.
Hillary and Salli celebrate their
union and express it in there own words.
When asked what do you love about one another? Hillary shares this with
us… “We are happiest
when we are together and we love and respect each other equally and loved
equally - right back. I love that we can work out difficult situations
without holding a grudge or hurting our relationship. I love that we try
to outdo ourselves by doing kind things for each other”. Salli tells us, “I love every aspect of Hill. She's strong,
intelligent, independent, motivated to learn, travel, and
work hard. She's very sensuous and always thoughtful”. How
thoughtful? “Well, she brings me cappuccino in bed every morning and lays out
my toothbrush with toothpaste each evening. I love it! And, we are still
totally enamored with one another for over seven years – and that’s saying
something!”
Friendship is oxygen to the soul. And friends they are indeed. There is a lot they just plain “like” about one another, Hillary
is happy that they have so much fun together in all they do. They travel well
together and they hold the same values and beliefs. And they are both
strikingly charming. A loving adventure best describes their life together. Let
it be known (if you don’t know already), they are competitive in every sport
and game and push each other to be the best (in a good way). Hillary
appreciates that Salli takes pride in their lovely
new home in
Together they see a beautiful future ahead: raising a family, traveling the
world on a shoe-string, always building something, making their family grow and
trying new things and most importantly and so sweetly…growing old
together.
What fills Hillary and Salli with pride and joy for one another? Salli says, with total conviction “I am proud of Hill's
work ethic. Proud that she can turn a field of weeds into a beautiful
garden. I’m a fan of her keen intellect, especially her ability to recite
many trivial worldly and sporting facts. Most of all… I’m extremely
proud of her as an athlete and a musician, who is incredibly respected by everyone
that knows her.”
Hillary’s expresses her joy…“ I'm proud that Salli
is such a hard worker and is well respected by her co-workers and other people
in the community. I love that she is so close to her family and that her
family is loving and loyal to each other. Her character and confidence is
great enough that she goes out on a limb and gets away with it
consistently. She never backs down from anything she strongly believes
in. I love that she is so patient with her difficult kids at school and has
a gift with animals. And, It means so much to me
that she likes and gets along well with my friends and family.”
It is heartwarming to hear what personal gifts they both bring to this their
marriage: Hill brings orderliness, practicality and stability to the
relationship. As well as her unconditional love. Salli
brings her positive outlook, her sense of adventure that always has her
searching for a new mountain for the two of them to climb. And
of course, her savvy ability to find ways so they can travel the world - at
a bargain.
Many of their values are in harmony with one another. They value their loyal family and friends -
people who have stuck by them through the ups and downs. And, Hillary
and Salli strive to be the best at whatever they
do – they’re never mediocre at anything! They both believe in the value of
hard work and taking long vacations as their joyful reward.
“I love to cook Salli likes to clean” Hillary points out. A prime example of differences that can surely make life agreeable.
“Our personalities are very different” Salli tells
us, “Hills organized, I’m more outgoing. She loves to care for her
flowers. I love to maintain the lawn and trees. I like dogs.
She likes cats, but we love animals.” “Yes, we’re not the same”, Hillary states,
“We have different styles. I like that we're different. We're never going
to be bored with each other, that's for sure.”
It’s true, their common “goals” are just that, and it’s no surprise, they both
have dedicated themselves passionately to playing rugby for the past twelve
years (until this past year) their team was one of the best in the
country.
Along the ‘getting-to-know-you’ path, they have learned how to give each other
space and let each other grow in different directions without growing
apart. They have learned to embrace the changes and ‘go with it’. They
like who they are with each other and truly hold dear this incredible love that
they have for one another.
Hillary and Salli
would like their family and friends to know that it means everything to have
all of you at their wedding here today - to share their joy! Salli says it so beautifully, “I wanted to have a ceremony
prior to starting a family, and also to confirm to our family and friends that
two women can make it…and make it legitimately, at least with all of you whom
we love and in our heart of hearts. This means we can have almost all of the
things that straight people can have: a house, a marriage, and a family.
We're proud that we're making a married life together expressing here
today our love and deep devotion - publicly.”
They are honored to have such
true family and friends that respect, love and bless this union. Through this
their marriage, Hillary and Salli unite all of
us together as one in this glorious - permanent bond of love.
~
Salli’s brother Rick, who has always been
a supporter extraordinaire in Salli’s life in every
way, and has (in the past) gifted to Salli a brass
ring that symbolizes unity strength and the power of love that she cherishes to
this day. Rick would like to share this reading that he has written to express
his love for both of you in this your blessed journey of life together…
You can start by closing your eyes and taking a deep
breath. Awaken your senses. Pause and make sure to smell the fragrance of life.
Open your eyes to the rainbow of colors. Tune your ears to
the music of nature. Moisten your lips to the taste of wonder, and trace with
your fingers, the texture of joy.
Lace your hand in the palm of another and feel the energy
of empathy, and the opportunity for revelry.
Love is not judgmental. It has the power to heal and the
patience to endure.
Love is a divine gift we all
possess. We get richer, not by keeping it to ourselves, but by giving it to
others.
“I give my love to you” is the most profound thing one can
ever say to the person they choose to spend the rest of their life with.
Only when this is done unconditionally are we truly
rewarded with inner peace.
This is the love that enables us to be heroes, inspires us
to be selfless, and propels us to be successful.
A parent’s very first gift to their child is love. This is
a perpetual love that was given to them by their parent’s and it brings with it
a legacy that requires it to be passed on to another.
A child’s love for their parents involves no decision. The decision
to love comes with maturity and a longing to give and receive love in order
to feel fulfilled. Not until a partnership has been forged and tested, will it
warrant these deepest of feelings.
When partners have lived and loved together through many
changing years, they will have shared each other’s gladness and wept each
other’s tears. They will speak of one love which time can never change.
We speak of this love today as we celebrate the coming
together of two people, who in the presence of their friends and family, have
chosen to make a commitment. That final step that confirms
their belief in themselves and each other; that they were meant to be together
forever.
That is what love is about
~
Celebrant:
An Ancient proverb tells us that people who lack the knowledge of their past
are like a tree without roots. So, in the spirit of remembrance we honor our
family present and past. We pay tribute to the importance of family. And we
celebrate the coming together of these two families.
It is said that through others, we are somebody. Through this marriage, we
broaden our family circle, remember our heritage and recall those who gave us
life. We honor today - our Parents: Merry and Bob, Beverly and Jerry and
Grandfather Chet. They are the foundation of our families - the life spring!
Salli and Hillary would like to have a moment of
silent remembrance and reflection for her dear father Fredrick
who is much loved and missed, and Hillary and Salli’s
grand mothers that have been so influential in their lives and will continue to
be so - always. Let us honor the memory of Hillary’s beloved grandmother, Anne
Woodruff who passed away
several weeks ago. They are with
us in light and love. And now, let us observe this moment of silence together
as one family.
~
Celebrant:
Now I, Charlotte Eulette, a Civil Ordained Celebrant,
am duly authorized to solemnize this,
your commitment to marriage.
Before you, Hillary and you, Salli,
are joined together in marriage in my presence
and in the presence of these, your family, friends and
community,
I am bound, as you know, to remind
you publicly
of the solemn, the serious and the nature
of the relationship into which you are now about
to enter.
Marriage, as most of us understand
it,
is a voluntary and full commitment
of one person to another,
it is made in the deepest sense
to the exclusion of all others,
and is entered into with the desire,
the hope and the firm intention
that it will last for life.
Celebrant:
Hillary and Salli,
Do you come here freely, and
without reservation,
to enter a relationship as companions
living together as one, enjoying equality?
Do you promise to love, respect,
assist and look after each other
for the rest of your lives?
Are you prepared to live in harmony,
and jointly strive for the welfare of your family,
and for a just and equal society?
Hillary and Salli:
We do.
Celebrant:
Will the Mothers, Merry and
Celebrant: Hold hands, look into each other’s eyes and repeat after me
phrase by phrase…
Salli:
I Salli,
take you Hillary, as my spouse.
I pledge to share my life openly
with you,
to speak the truth to you in love.
I promise to honor and tenderly
care for you,
to cherish and encourage your own fulfillment
for the rest of my life.
Hillary:
I Hillary, take you Salli, as my spouse.
I pledge to share my life openly
with you,
to speak the truth to you in love.
I promise to honor and tenderly
care for you,
to cherish and encourage you own fulfillment
for the rest of my life.
Celebrant:
And now the duet will be sung by
Char and Liz, “Love As High As”.
Celebrant:
And now, the couple’s friend Ruthbea, will honor us in the Handfasting
Ceremony, an ago old Celtic tradition.
Celebrant:
Hillary and Salli
repeat after me…
Hillary
and Salli:
We swear by peace and love to
stand,
heart to heart and hand to hand.
Mark, O Lord, and hear us now
confirming this our Sacred Vow.
Celebrant:
Friends and family,
I will ask the Happy Couple and
the Six Witnesses: Jodi, Kath, Rick, Alison, Sunni and Bob, (come
on up!) to move to the table for the signing of the Wedding Commitment
Certificate.
I will ask you all to stay exactly
where you are. The ancient Egyptian custom of signing is part of the ceremony ~
and during this time I will also ask you to give your attention to this
traditional Gaelic tune “My Lagen Love”
performed by Beverly Pugh Corry.
When the signing is completed I
will bring them back to this position.
Celebrant:
Will Merry and
Celebrant:
And now, Salli
and Hillary have declared before all of us that they will live together in
marriage. They have made special promises to each other. They have symbolized
it by joining hands, taking vows and by signing their wedding certificate.
So, therefore, on your behalf and
on the behalf of the community, I introduce to the newly weds…Hillary and Salli!
You may kiss each other!
~ Here Ends the Ceremony and Here Begins a Marriage of Love
and Joy ~