Lori Ann Eastlick

Officiant: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Madison, Tyler and I would like to welcome everyone on this beautiful winter’s day. It’s because of all of you—because of these strong families & friends—Madison and Tyler’s relationship has strengthened and grown and led them to this very moment. Thank you for being here. I would also like to acknowledge & thank those with us that we cannot see.

Madison and Tyler, what you’ve accomplished here today is no small feat. Your journey began way before Tyler left for the Marines, before Madison started College. It started before the Gauntlet and the car wreck. It was about rabbits, goats, and kittens. Not being able to say no, wanting to make each other feel happy and loved. Thinking about being a good provider and build your own family.

As Madison’s nana I have a few things to say.

"We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness–and call it love–true love."

To Tyler’s family: You taught your son to stand up for himself and he decided to stand up for his entire country We could not be more proud.

"To love is not to possess,

To own or imprison,

Nor to lose one's self in another.

Love is to join and separate,

To walk alone and together,

To find a laughing freedom

That lonely isolation does not permit.

It is finally to be able

To be who we really are

No longer clinging in childish dependency

Nor docilely living separate lives in silence,

It is to be perfectly one's self

And perfectly joined in permanent commitment

To another—and to one's inner self."

Reading.

Officiant: As our reading today, [NAME] has asked his/her cousin to perform an original poem to honor their vows.

(Reading to proceed)

Wedding Vows.

Officiant: Madison and Tyler , please take each other’s hands and repeat after me:

Couple: [NAME], I swear to you/ that I will dedicate my life from this day forward/ to filling our days with beauty and laughter./ I will celebrate your spirit and all of your accomplishments/ work to inspire you/ and be here to remind you of your beauty and strength./ I take you today as my partner/ my confidant/ my other half/ and I will love you for the rest of my life.

(Officiant turns to other partner and repeats the vows)

Officiant: [NAME] and [NAME], do you take one another as partners, from this day forward, as husband and wife? Please yell a hearty “We do!”

(Couple says “We do!”)

Officiant: And to everyone here, do you promise to stand by this couple, to remind them of their vows, and to act as an example of love and family? Please yell a hearty “We do!”

(Crowd says “We do!”)

Exchange of Rings.

Officiant: [NAME] and [NAME] have chosen these rings to represent the unbreakable circle of life and love. Please place them on each other’s ring fingers and repeat after me.

Couple: I give you this ring/ to remind you of this day/ when in front of our closest community/ we vowed that our love can overcome all things/ that our love unites, inspires and celebrates/ and will continue do so for the rest of our lives.

Officiant: [NAME] and [NAME], it is with such joy that I now send you out into the world to spread the beautiful light that you share with those around you. By the power vested in me, I now, for the first time, pronounce you married. Now kiss and go celebrate!

Always Remember you are braver then you believe

Stronger than you seem

Smarter then you think

& twice as beautiful as you ever imagined.

"Side by side with your loved one, you’ll find enchantment here. The night will weave its magic spell, when the one you love is near." –Lady and the Tramp

Go forth and watch out for ducks as they may be cows

And crocodiles can have big teeth.

Fairy tales are heart warming and romantic, but marriage is much more it is the happiest and heaviest on ones heart. It will bring sun and rainy days. You have to fight for each other and to fight fair.

Learn patience