Matthew James Trine

Good afternoon Family and friends,

Please be seated.

First, I’d like to begin by welcoming everyone and thanking each and every one of you for being here on this very special day. It’s no accident that each of you are here today, and each of you were invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of Kaitlyn and Erik. Me and my family flew here for this special occasion. I'd like everyone to close their eyes for a second and pretend you've just boarded a flight, you're cramped in your seat and the guy next to you smells like he's been wearing the same sweater for a week. Everyone with me so far? Now, the plane is pushing away from the gate and the captain comes on the radio. "Uhhh good evening folks, Were pushing off from the gate and well be taking off shortly, If everyone could please turn off their phones for the duration of this flight and return your trays to their stow away position and your seat to its upright position. OK, You can open your eyes. We don't have any trays here today but I'm sure everyone has a cell phone. Lets turn those off and keep them away for this ceremony. We have pictures and video being taken professionally today to allow you all to focus on Kaitlyn and Erik.

I think I’ve had the good fortune to meet most of you here today at some point or another, but for anyone whom I haven’t met, my name is Matt, Im Kaitlyn's uncle. When Kaitlyn was just beginning to walk and talk, Matt was to hard to say for her, so I acquired the nickname Atchew. That name has stuck with me all these years later in life, and people still call me that. So today whether you decide to call me Matt or Atchew, either is fine by me. This is my first wedding I've ever done so bear with me.

I truly can’t think of a better place than this beautiful yard, where Kaitlyn has made so many memories for an occasion that I know is not only monumental for the wedded-couple-to-be, but for all of us who are lucky to know and love them as individuals and even more so as a perfect pairing. Kaitlyn and Erik, please turn and look at everyone who came here today to support you and Erik on your special day.

The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with who you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful, The person that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them. For Heather, my beautiful wife, that happened about 11 years ago when she met me. We had a pretty similar wedding experience that some of you here got to enjoy with us. Kaitlyn and Erik met about 5 years ago, and I know how deeply these two care for and love one another, and I feel privileged to be here today among all of you as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime of love for one another.

As a third-party spectator to their developing love, it was extremely clear that the two of them represent a perfect pairing because each of them complements the other so well. They balance one another, and while each of them are tremendous individuals on their own, together they are even better. And being better together, as a team, a unit, and partners in crime, is what has been many years in the making and ultimately leads us too being here today, witnessing their commitment to one another in front of those they love most.

I wish I could tell you a single story about Kaitlyn and Erik that summarizes their relationship and how they enrich each other’s lives, and the lives of each of us, but the truth is there isn’t one single event that is a good encapsulation of what they mean to me, to each other, and to all of us. But what I do know is that both of them care deeply and passionately for each other; they protect each other; they make each other laugh and think outside themselves; that time magically seems to both fly and slow down when they’re together. They help each other in ways that are obvious and unnoticed, but always appreciated. I've asked both of them to give me 10 things they love about each other the most. I picked 5 of each of their responses I'd like to share.

Kaitlyn's 5 things about Erik are

1. Erik is the first person I want to talk to, when I hear good or bad news.

2. Erik always kisses me goodbye in the morning when he leaves.

3. Erik makes an effort with my friends and family because he knows how much they mean to me.

4. I love his attention to detail and how he remembers every detail.

5. Ok Kaitlyn, I'm not sure if you meant too or not but you listed this one twice on your list, so it must be important. Erik loves me unconditionally when I'm being horrible and hard to be around. Erik is that true ?

Erik's 5 things about Kaitlyn are

1. I love Kaitlyn's eyes and beautiful hair.

2. Kaitlyn pushes me to try new things, and I love that about her.

3. Kaitlyn's love is my home, so now matter where I am, as long as I'm with her, I'm home.

4. Her smile makes my day.

5. Last but not least, Knowing I have Kaitlyn's love and support, gives me strength in my everyday life.

It’s been my personal experiences with Kaitlyn and Erik that highlight the quality of their love. It doesn’t matter if were fishing on that dock on prospect road, or simply in a bizarre group text with them—when I’m engaging with Kaitlyn and Erik, I am always enjoying myself. And I am certain that’s part of what makes them so special to each of us. How happy and content we feel when we are with them. And what I wish for them on their wedding day is that their lifetime together as a team is one of complete contentment; full of those moments that they wish would never end, and that they continue to make one another smile and laugh as they make each of us do.

So, without further ado…

Today we are joining Kaitlyn and Erik in the union of marriage.

Please take each others hands.

This wedding is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Kaitlyn and Erik have each prepared their own vows that they will now read.

Erik, would you like to recite your vows to Kaitlyn?

And now Kaitlyn, would you like to recite your vows to Erik?

And now:

Kaitlyn, do you take Erik to be your husband? ["yes"]

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him forevermore?

[“I do.”]

And Erik, do you take Kaitlyn to be your wife? ["yes"]

Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto her forevermore?

[“I do.”]

Kaitlyn and Erik will now exchange rings as a symbol of love and commitment to each other. Rings are a precious metal; they are also made precious by you wearing them. Your wedding rings are special; they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle—a symbol of love never ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end.

Erik, please place the ring on Kaitlyn's left hand and repeat after me:

With this ring, I ask you to be my wife, To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish you, for time and all eternity.

And Kaitlyn, please place the ring on Erik's left hand and repeat after me:

With this ring, I ask you to be my husband, To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish you, for time and all eternity.

To make your relationship work will take love. Continue to date each other. Take time to show each other that your love and marriage grows stronger with time.

It will take trust to know that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.

It will take dedication to stay open to one another—and to learn and grow together.

It will take loyalty to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.

And it will take commitment to hold true to the journey you have both pledged here today.

And now by the power vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Arizona, it is my honor and delight to declare you married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. Erik, you may kiss your bride.

I am so pleased to present these newlyweds, for the first time, Kaitlyn and Erik Clark.