Leslie Ann Klein

Hello everyone! On behalf of Ashley and Bryan, I would like to thank us all for being here. Whether a couple hours by car or by plane, the fact that we all traveled to get here is a testament of the love we have for them. It is also a testament of the support we have for this endeavor that they are about to enter into together. And in the words of Snoop Dogg, I want to thank me for opening my mouth and saying I could and would do this.

We’re here today to witness the union of Ashley Mae Johnson and Bryan Anthony Bowman in marriage.

Today, you begin a new life together, founded in love, laughter, honesty, respect, and friendship. You have seen each other at the highest of highs and you have helped each other through the lowest of lows. And you still want to do this thing. The promises you make to each other today should not be taken lightly. A marriage is more than a ceremony – it is a lasting and lifelong commitment.

“The Art of a Good Marriage” reminds us that a good marriage doesn’t just happen, one must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things; like never being too old to hold hands – and remembering to say, “I love you,” at least once a day. It also takes patience, kindness… and fighting the urge to snarkily respond when it’s best to keep your mouth zipped.

On that note, a good marriage sometimes takes a really good sense of humor... as the following reminds us:

"Marriage is about giving and taking

And forging and forsaking

Kissing and loving and pushing and shoving

Caring and sharing and screaming and swearing

About being together whatever the weather

About being driven to the end of your tether

About sweetness and kindness

And wisdom and blindness

It’s about being strong when you’re feeling quite weak

It’s about saying nothing when you’re dying to speak

It’s about being wrong when you know you are right

It’s about giving in, before there’s a fight

It’s about you two living as cheaply as one

(you can give us a call if you know how that’s done!)

Never heeding advice that was always well-meant

Never counting the cost until it’s all spent

And for you two today it’s about to begin

And for all that the two of you had to put in

Some days filled with joy, and some days with sadness

And hopefully not that many days filled with madness."

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With this wisdom - and your love for each other - in mind, I now ask you

Ashley please look into Bryan’s eyes as I ask you, do you take Bryan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish (even those days when you don’t like him) until death do you part?

(I do)

Bryan please look into Ashley’s eyes as I ask you, do you take Ashley to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish (even those days when you don’t like her) until death do you part?

(I do)

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Bryan, place this ring on Ashley’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment and devotion. (pause)

I choose you to share in my life’s journeys. (pause)

You are the one I want to match energy with (pause)

and be your rock when things are tough. (pause)

I give you this ring as a pledge to love you, (pause)

today, tomorrow, always, and forever. (pause)

With no take-backs. (pause)

Ashley, place this ring on Bryan’s finger and repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my commitment and devotion. (pause)

I choose you to share in my life’s journeys. (pause)

You are the one I want to match energy with (pause)

And be your rock when things are tough. (pause)

I give you this ring as a pledge to love you, (pause)

today, tomorrow, always, and forever. (pause)

With no take-backs. (pause)

Your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. As you look at these rings over the years, I hope you remember that today you have created something precious. And just as you protect these rings, remember to protect this union.

_____________

Ashley and Bryan, on behalf of everyone

May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring,

and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.

May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness.

A mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it.

So let it be with you and you.

May you need one another, but not out of weakness.

May you want one another, but not out of lack.

May you entice one another, but not compel one another.

May you embrace one another, but not encircle one another.

May you succeed in all important ways with one another,

and not fail in the little graces.

May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!"

and take no notice of small faults.

If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.

May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of one another's presence -

no more physical than spiritual,

warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms

or even distant cities.

May you have happiness,

and may you find it making one another happy.

May you have love,

and may you find it loving one another.

By the virtue of the authority vested in me by the State of Florida and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you married.

Now kiss each other already! 🙂

For the very first time it is my honor to present Mr and Mrs Bowman!