Gary Lee Sallay

(Processional Music: Donovan's "Catch The Wind" performed by Jim Schafer)

Good Afternoon Everyone!

From this beautiful location, nestled between The Black River and the lakefront, we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of Abigail Catherine Williams and David Charles Andrews. And just as their beloved communities of Vermilion and Lorain share this Lake Erie Shoreline, today, here, they join their lives in the union of marriage.

To all their guests: Abby and Dave are happy to share this moment with you.

They have known most of you for many years. You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you worked with them. And because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share in this once-in-a-lifetime occasion with them.

To their family: the best anyone could ask for, they are pleased to have you so close to them for this day of days. They are grateful for all your love and support over the years and for being provided with every opportunity possible to bring them to this moment.

Also, a wedding day is often a day when couples miss friends and family no longer with them. They are held dear in memories, and are known full well to be here in spirit.

And so it is that Abby and Dave present themselves to be married today...among the people they love the most.

As Abby and Dave prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they made it quite clear to me, right from the moment they established their "Tinder-inspired" relationship, (Ding!) that they had an understanding of how they were going to proceed in their partnership. You've all heard of a 50/50 arrangement, right? Well, these two are "all in" at 100/100. And it's a fun business that they've established, fueled with a playful banter of flirtatious taunts and teases. They totally compliment, enhance, and absolutely adore each other. Because of this, they have already become an entity unto themselves. Now greater than the sum of the parts, they are in it for the long haul, and knowing not to "sweat the small stuff". But when there is, and there will be, a bump in the proverbial road, they will have the assurance to know that "This too shall pass".

So, Abby and Dave, the years will come and go. You won't take each other for granted. You will laugh a lot. You will be the best you can be. You will grow older and wiser together. And it's going to be a great story.

I was asked to share a reading with you today... And so the following is an excerpt of a passage from "The Prophet" by the Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist Kahlil Gibran. It is simply titled "On Marriage".

"Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And

let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores

O your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not

from one cup. Give one another of your bread

but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance

together and be joyous, but let each one of you

be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone

though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's

keeping. For only the hand of life can contain

your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near

together: For the pillars of the temple stand

apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow

not in each other's shadow."

We now get to hear our couple speak. (Please pass your bouquet, Abby)

Please turn and face each other and join hands to express your vows of love and devotion each to the other.

Dave, please repeat after me..

I, Dave, take you, Abby to be my wife.

I will share my life with yours

And build our dreams together.

Support you through times of trouble,

And rejoice with you in times of happiness.

I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty.

This commitment is made in love,

Kept in faith, lived in hope,

And made new every day of our lives.

Abby, please repeat after me...

I, Abby, take you, Dave to be my husband.

I will share my life with yours

And build our dreams together.

Support you through times of trouble,

And rejoice with you in times of happiness.

I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty.

This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope,

And made new every day of our lives.

We now come to the words Abby and Dave want to hear the most today...

The words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.

A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment.

It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others,

And it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.

Now that you have declared your vows to one another,

I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.

Do you, Dave, take Abby to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

("I do.")

Do you, Abby, take Dave to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?

("I do.")

Abby and Dave will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and fidelity. These rings are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites them

Dave, place the ring on Abby's finger and repeat after me...

I give you this ring.

Wear it with love and joy.

As this ring has no end,

My love is also forever.

Abby, place the ring on Dave's finger and repeat after me...

I give you this ring.

Wear it with love and joy.

As this ring has no end,

My love is also forever.

May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always

that you are surrounded by enduring love.

May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health

And all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love.

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Ohio

I now pronounce you husband and wife!

You may now kiss.

I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. David Andrews!

Congratulations!