Blayze Spooner

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered together here to join Ramon Romero and Allerie Ralston in the spiritual union of marriage.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

When we are young we are told stories that end with the star crossed lovers getting married, promptly followed by "and they lived happily ever after." But the question is, did they? Was everything never ending bliss? You see, marriage is a relationship where you must put in effort. It's a strange premise to think that being in love with someone isn't all that it takes, and that it takes understanding, compromise, and hard work to maintain the relationship.

"Never go to bed angry with your partner." That's a line we've heard and been told our entire lives. The problem however is that it is an impossible order to follow, because we misunderstand the sentiment behind it. The belief for "never go to bed angry" is that you must forgive immediately and let go of what the issue made you feel, but the reality is, you're going to have fights, arguments, misunderstandings, disagreements, and conflicts that are not resolved the same night. You are two people joining as one family. It's ok to be upset with eachother, but you must remember that even though you are upset with eachother, you still love eachother and want to build your future together, and work towards understanding eachother and how different situations make you feel and how to not hurt eachother going forward.

We are also told that marriage and relationships are a 50/50 venture, but the truth is some days one, or both, of you aren't going to have 50 percent to give. Some days you [partner on my left] might come home and only have 10 percent and you [other partner] might have to put more effort in to make up the difference, and vice versa. Some days you may both come home and have 0 percent to give. When that happens, order takeout for dinner and enjoy eachother so you can start anew in the morning.

Ramon Romero and Allerie Ralston will now share their vows.

*(Vows)*

Do you Ramon Romero take this woman Allerie Ralston 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?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you Allerie Ralston take this man Ramon Romero 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?

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Ramon Romero and Allerie Ralston will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and commitment.

*(Ring Exchange)*

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of Illinois I now pronounce you husband and wife!