Paulette Rhoda Franco

WELCOME

OFFICIANT

We are here to celebrate the marriage of Janelle and Rochelle, and to share in one of the greatest celebrations known to humanity. We are also here to celebrate the fusion of a family, the coming together of all four of you forming a circle of strength and love. Lauren and Sierra: the two of you are the most important people in your mothers’ lives. You are a keystone in the circle of strength and love.

The promises of marriage are many. Marriage promises companionship and laughter, challenge and joy, adventure and peace. It’s a bond we build of the strongest faith in another person and their love for us, an ability to look at our lover with eyes unclouded and heart open. To see them as they are, and to see our truest self in their love and acceptance.

Love isn’t just a feeling. It’s an action, and a decision not to act. It’s an essence, and an energy, the invisible fabric of our cosmos, our paths woven together in intricate patterns of compassion, compromise, understanding, and acceptance. Love is a power greater than us, and within us. Love is language, and the warmth of sitting in shared silence with someone who truly sees us – the way the two of you truly see each other.

I asked each of you to tell me your favorite thing about each other. What I loved about your responses is how similar they were. You both love each other’s humor and your shared laughter, the ability to love deeply and selflessly, and shared kindness for each other and others. Janelle told me that she loves Rochelle’s humor and ability to laugh at herself and her ability to love deeply and selflessly. Rochelle told me that her favorite thing about Janelle is her ability to make ordinary moments special and her ability to always see the best in Rochelle. She also loves Janelle’s strength, kindness and gentle heart.

Janelle, Rochelle, Lauren, and Sierra - welcome to this moment in your lives. You have built a home for each other in your hearts, a safe and infinite haven. Today, we celebrate you as you begin to build a family.

DECLARATION OF INTENT & CONSENT OF CHILDREN

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE

As we begin your ceremony today, we state your intention to marry and that you freely and without reservation choose to join together.

OFFICIANT TO JANELLE

Janelle, do you freely and without reservation choose to marry Rochelle today?

JANELLE

I do.

OFFICIANT TO ROCHELLE

Rochelle, do you freely and without reservation choose to marry Janelle today?

ROCHELLE

I do.

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE

Thank you both.

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE AND CHILDREN

You’ve known pretty much since the beginning that you would marry, but you had to make sure it was “right.” Part of that ‘making sure’ includes your children.

OFFICIANT TO LAUREN

In that spirit, I ask you, Lauren, do you freely agree that your mother, Rochelle should marry Janelle?

LAUREN

I do, yes.

OFFICIANT TO SIERRA

In that spirit, I ask you, Sierra, do you freely agree that your mother, Janelle should marry Rochelle?

SIERRA

I do, yes.

OFFICIANT

Thank you.

LOVE STORY & WORDS ON MARRIAGE

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE

Janelle and Rochelle, some would say you met and fell in love by chance, that’s how some view internet algorithms. But that's not it at all. What you have is rare.

The banter and chemistry that quickly rose from that virtual meeting developed into a witty banter that grew into something much greater than algorithms can explain. The natural chemistry grew into four-hour phone calls, video dates, and flying to meet each other face-to-face in Spokane.

The story of your first date is romantic and humorous, and exemplifies the humor and love that is woven throughout your relationship. Sharing a sunrise with your special someone is sharing a new hope, sharing a new beginning, and sharing a new opportunity. Missing the sunrise because you were facing the wrong direction did not mean that you missed the opportunity to share that special moment. The moment of new beginning had already been created by the two of you finding each other. You did not miss anything.

There are more stories of the two of you sharing your love and laughter. I laughed out loud when I heard the story of when Janelle cut Rochelle’s hair for the first time and Rochelle came out of the bathroom holding two strands of long hair, one on each side of her head, lopsided, and said: " I am just curious, what are these for?"

You're both here today because you've committed to each other and have made a choice. You are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile and laugh, even sometimes makes you cry, but always makes every day brighter.

Today, you make promises to each other that you will strive to honor every day forward, for the rest of your lives together. The vows you make today represent who you are, what you value in life and in love, how you want to love each other, and how you promise to show up in good days and bad. These are your promises to meet life as a team, and to share each moment, each struggle and triumph, with each other.

And so it is, Janelle and Rochelle that your family now bears witness as you give your word and pledge your love and life to each other.

EXCHANGE OF WEDDING VOWS

OFFICIANT TO JANELLE

Janelle, will you please share your vows with Rochelle?

• JANELLE SHARES VOWS.

OFFICIANT TO ROCHELLE

Rochelle, will you please share your vows with Janelle?

• ROCHELLE SHARES VOWS.

EXCHANGE OF WEDDING RINGS

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE

Janelle and Rochelle, you have chosen to symbolize your vows to one another with an exchange of rings. Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace signifying your commitment to each other.

Each ring is a circle - a symbol of a shared path that is open and endless, without beginning or end. These rings are made of precious metal, unbreakable, like your bond. Wear them proudly as a reminder of the promises you make today.

Please hold and look at each other’s hands.

These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you. These hands will work and play alongside yours as you build your future together. These are the hands that will passionately cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. They will tenderly hold your family as one. And these are the hands that even when aged, will still reach out to you with the same touch that comforts you today.

OFFICIANT TO JANELLE

Janelle, please take Rochelle’s left hand in yours.

Please place this ring on her fourth finger and resume holding her hands.

• JANELLE PLACES THE RING.

Please repeat after me:

Rochelle, I give you this ring with the promise

that I will love and honor you,

in all ways, for all our days.

It is a symbol of my deepest love,

my unending and devoted friendship,

and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

OFFICIANT TO ROCHELLE

Rochelle, please take Janelle’s left hand in yours.

Please place this ring on her fourth finger and resume holding her hands.

• ROCHELLE PLACES THE RING.

Please repeat after me:

Janelle, I give you this ring with the promise

that I will love and honor you,

in all ways, for all our days.

It is a symbol of my deepest love,

my unending and devoted friendship,

and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

FAMILY VOWS

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE AND CHILDREN

We realize that in order for a home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the whole family. Janelle and Rochelle, please join hands with Lauren and Sierra to create a circle of love.

OFFICIANT TO THE CHILDREN

Today we celebrate your bond as sisters -- one of the most important and lasting bonds that family can share. Today and throughout your lives, this bond will always remain between you. You are united as a family, today and always.

Do you promise to treat each other with love and patience, as equals and siblings, from today on?

• LAUREN AND SIERRA RESPOND IN UNISON: "WE DO!" OR "YES!"

Do you promise to laugh with each other, learn with each other, and have fun with each other?

• LAUREN AND SIERRA RESPOND IN UNISON: "WE DO!" OR "YES!"

Do you promise to share in the responsibilities and joys of being a family, today and always?

• LAUREN AND SIERRA RESPOND IN UNISON: "WE DO!" OR "YES!"

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

Janelle and Rochelle, do you promise to continue to love, nurture and support Lauren and Sierra?

• JANELLE AND ROCHELLE RESPOND IN UNISON, "WE DO!" OR “YES!”

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE AND CHILDREN

May your home be a place of happiness and comfort for everyone who finds it, and where each new generation, across all ages, is given a place for love and growing, a place for music and celebration, a place for laughter and fun as well as a place for rest and healing, acceptance and unconditional love.

CLOSING BLESSING

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE AND CHILDREN

Bless this day, O’ Lord, and bless this family union. Help them to remember to grow into a strong love every day. Put your circle of protection around them and let nothing divide them. Give them words both kind and loving to each other every day. Grant them the sacred bond of kindness, truthfulness, and faithfulness in their home. Make their hearts always be ready to ask for forgiveness as well as to forgive. May they continue to bring out the best in each other and remember to keep you in their hearts. We put this family into your hands and as they start this new life together.

PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE

OFFICIANT ADDRESSES THE COUPLE

Now as you, Rochelle and you Janelle have consented together in marriage on this 27th day of October 2025 and have pledged your faith to each other by sharing your vows and giving and receiving of these rings before your family, according to the power vested in me by the State of California and American Marriage Ministries, I pronounce you married.

You may kiss.

Now, it is my genuine pleasure to introduce for the very first time as a married couple, Janelle and Rochelle!