Mark Christopher Boyer

Thank you DJ Mikah!!!

Thank you for being here today. Mom and Dad, that is directed to you two because without you two, we don't exist.

Just to let you know this vow renewal has been blessed by the Pope and Da Lei Lama.

I am very happy to be doing this vow renewal for you two because this is a milestone very few make. Today we are doing this becase these two people we call "mom" "dad" "nana" and "papa" have been pur beacon in a lighthouse for us all our lives, BUT, they have been each others beacon as well.

Mom and Dad, you first made these vows to each other in faith, love and hope for a bright future together 50 years ago. Since that wedding its all been downhill since. Ok, just kidding. Can't have a renewal without laughter.

Fifty years ago you didn’t know what married life would have in store for you but you had an idea of how you wanted to go about it together. My best guess is "it didn't 100% exactly go as planned". The ups and downs of marriage are hard enough and then you added 3 children to the mix. The commitment of marriage involves friendship, love, forgiveness, saying "I'm sorry, even if you know it wasn't your fault", and unconditional everything.

The commitment of having kids in the family is....well, a whole different skillset and a lot more work and extra of that "unconditional" stuff. To extend your marriage in having little versions of you is noble, brave, daring and doesnt come with a manual. Its the most underappreciated working title to have, being called Mom & Dad, but you did it and and we are all here today all still in love with what you two started...our family.

In 50 years, a lot has happened. Things we can reflect on:

-About 4 years before the nuptials it started with someone being "friend-zoned" until a certain teenage party and until a certain, pretty brave and perfectly planted kiss that changed it all!

-Dad something we didn't find out until later in life, but that you loved writing poems to mom.

-Then there was the wedding and honeymoon in St. Louis!

-Getting to hang out as a married couple and still party with friends....Dad, we've all been told stories about how you could "cut a rug" in your time?! To the kids here, that means he could dance very good.

-You got to enjoy freedom of a married couple. Romantic momemts by yourselves without kids and having the freedom of your own schedule. So much loving and caring and every now and then an occasional tiff. Sometimes animated fights.....like a fish sandwhich gets thrown so hard against a wall it sticks there which ended up being so funny in itself, the argument stopped right there.

-Survival for life...together for the first time! Testing out that "through good times and bad" stuff they talk about in the wedding.

-Being there for her when the first of your guys' parents passed away. Boy that was a toughy.

-I still wish there was a camera on you guys when you found out you were pregnant with twins. I still can't imagine either of you smiling when you first saw or heard that. Say what you want, I want the real story one day!

-You moved us out of the duplex in Raytown and into your forever house. Whew!

-You had the daughter you wanted and the 3 of us together were best friend...and A-holes all at the same time.

-As little kids the "bunny foo foo" song along with the thunderstorm on the unforgiving seas of the water bed from Dad. And then all the crafts with Mom, helping to garden, making banana boats, garage sales, tent forts. Just the best.

-TGIF nights were what we waited all wee for but was best when all 5 of us were there.

-Dad, thanks for always taking those mis-shaped M&M's from us kids to make sure we didn't get poisoned. Mom, thank you for listening to us complain that we were sick sometimes and actually give us M&M's and say that is was real medicine.

-The race to the dinner table to not get the middle frozen Salisbury steak only to burn you mouth on the ones on the furthest end.

-The cajun dinners were never really all that bad, but the Dad look of, "Shut your mouth and eat your dinner and don't make your Mom sad or mad" was real!

-Learning what "words" to use when you're fixing the car...it got way worst when the house had a problem, but Dad always had creative ideas on how to handle it. "The secret was dynamite"

-Learning how to treat a woman by Dad and how to forgive and love unconditionally from Mom.

-Through teenagers eyes seeing the struggle to work so crazy hard and extra hours to keep the bills paid so we could do all of our extra curricular activities.

-Guiding us in young adulthood while realizing your own relationship between each other had changed since you had first been married and you walked each other through those uncharted moments of a relationship to redefine the relationship all the while guiding us through our own young relationships.

-You've seen 3 weddings and 4 grandchildren be born.

-You continue to be here for all of us and remind us what commitment you made 50 years ago and that you meant it. Through thick and through thin. We are grateful for every thing you have done for us. Everything good we have inside of us are from you two and I know that Joe, Alison, Megan and the grandkids get little pieces of your love that you've shown Matt, Shannon and I our whole lives.

And now to the easy part, the reason we are here...

Dad, after 50 years as a family man, do you still promise to Love Mom unconditionally, with all your heart for the rest of eternity?

Mom, after 50 years as a family woman, do you still promise to Love Dad unconditionally, with all your heart for the rest of eternity?

And for you both being our beacon in the lighthouse, I assure you this family you have built together will continue to be your community of faith, love, hope and what you two want for the rest of your lives.

May your love for each other continue to grow, today and always and your legacy will live on forever!

Dad, please kiss your bride!