Dave Eugene Ruark

Good afternoon everybody.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever.

We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

Why this moment? Why does this one matter beyond all the rest?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier — our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That's why you, Maddie, and you, Dom, are both standing here. That's why all of you are here. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity.

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part.

There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

Maddie and Dom’s love story started as only the best ones do; as characters who accidentally stumbled into one. They were brought together by a shared love of the performing arts and Taco Bell. In fact, their first time spent alone was a homework assignment to see a play at Ball State. This was meant to be an innocent outing for 2 classmates but, by intermission, they both had an inkling that they would be seeing a lot more of each other.

And now, 6 years later, here they are. Today is a time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.

We're all here because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. Which, face it, is a pretty big moment. But it’s every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but also those million little moments that come in between the big ones.

Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big epic love story. And even though this experience is so incredible, it’s also indescribable. So let’s not try to, let’s just feel it.

And even though love can look different from one person to the next — we all know it when we see it. And man, do we see it here.

You fell in love by chance, through the whims of some big cosmic casting director, and you're here today because you're making a choice to put your initials on the final cast list. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.

You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, to cover the other when one of you forgets their lines, and find happiness in the other.

There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of.”

Before Maddie and Dom exchange their vows, let’s all revel in the privilege we have to be here to witness the beginning of their new adventure. And let’s all vow to support them however we can in their years to come. Can we make this commitment for Maddie and Dom? Say, “Yes, we can.” (One more time - “Yes, we can.”

Super. Thank you.

At this time, Maddie and Dom would like to take a moment to share their personal vows. They’re on these pieces of paper. I hope I can figure who’s is who’s.

Maddie and Dom share their own vows.

Once finished, Dave takes over with the text below.

Vows

Will you, Dom, keep Maddie as your favorite person — to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life's tough moments, be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day?

Dom: I will.

Will you, Maddie, keep Dom as your favorite person — to laugh with him, go on adventures with him, support him through life's tough moments, be proud of him, grow old with him, and find new reasons to love him every day?

Maddie: I will.

Will you, Maddie and Dom, be each other's partners from this day forward? Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely — for the rest of this lifetime and for whatever may come next?

​

Maddie and Dom: We will.

Rings

May we have the rings please?

Dom, as you place the ring on Maddie's finger, please repeat after me: Maddie, I give you this ring / as symbol of my love and lifelong devotion, / wear it and know that I love you.

Maddie, as you place the ring on Dom's finger, please repeat after me: Dom, I give you this ring / as symbol of my love and lifelong devotion,/ wear it and know that I love you.

And now, by the power vested in me by the state of Indiana I now pronounce you Husband and wife!

You may kiss each other!!

Everybody, it’s Mr. and Mrs. Oletti!!