Brandon R. Bowen

Friends, we are gathered here today to join in holy matrimony Kimberly Shawn Collins and John Marvin Abney, and witness as they publicly proclaim their love and commitment for each other to the world. We are gathered to rejoice, with and for them, in this new life they now undertake together.

Kimberly and John, the relationship you enter into today must be grounded in the strength of your love and the power of your faith in each other. To make your relationship succeed it will take unending love. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want what is best for one another and to learn and grow together. It will take faith to go forward together without knowing what the future holds. If you both come freely, and understand the responsibility and work involved to make your relationship thrive, and are committed fully to each other, please take each other by the hands.

John, repeat after me: You, Kimberly Shawn Collins, are my best friend and everlasting companion. You have brought me the truest happiness I have ever known. I take joy today in committing my life to yours. Now place the ring on her hand and repeat after me. With this ring, I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. I promise to stand with you as we share this life, and cherish the memories we make together.

Kimberly, repeat after me: You, John Marvin Abney, are my best friend and everlasting companion. You have brought me the truest happiness I have ever known. I take joy today in committing my life to yours. Now place the ring on his hand and repeat after me. With this ring, I take you to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part. I promise to stand with you as we share this life, and cherish the memories we make together.

Now friends, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, I hereby declare this couple before me Mr. and Mrs. John and Kimberly Abney.

John, you may kiss your bride.

John and Kimberly, today you have stood before these witnesses and declared your intent to commit your lives to each other in marriage. You have made promises to each other and your family. Your road to this moment has not always been smooth, but you continued to persevere for one another. I hope you will never forget the vigilance it has taken to get to this moment. And I hope you will never forget the love and joy you feel today, because these are the values that will keep your marriage, family and bond to one another strong.