Roch S. Jones

Marriage is a dedication. You give yourself into the hands of the one you love. You do so trustingly and generously. By the same token, each of you receives a gift, the life and love of each other.

Declaration of Intent:

Rondelle and Clarence, before this moment you have been many things to one another, but now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, words that will irreversibly alter the relationship between you. After these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband; this—is my wife. It is relatively simple to stand here and say these words today, but far more difficult to live them day to day. When you love someone, you do not love them in exactly the same way all the time. That is impossible. Yet that is what most of us expect. We forget the ebb and flow of life and of love and of relationships. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity, but in love, as in life, the only stability is in change, in growth, and in freedom. Therefore; what you promise today must be renewed and reaffirmed tomorrow and all the tomorrows to come.

Personal vows:

First Rondelle has written some personal vows.

Now Clarence.

Vows:

Clarence, do you take Rondelle to be the wife of your days, the companion of your heart and the friend of your life? To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune? With these words spoken, do you wish to marry Rondelle, and join your life with hers?

Clarence: I do.

Rondelle, do you take Clarence to be the husband of your days, the companion of your heart and the friend of your life? To stand united in the face of adversity and bask together in the light of good fortune? With these words spoken, do you wish to marry Clarence, and join your life with his?

Rondelle: I do.

Exchange of Rings:

May I have the rings. Rings hold deep symbolic meaning. The circle is an ancient symbol representing notions of totality, wholeness, perfection, and the infinite. It implies an idea of movement, and symbolizes the cycle of time. It symbolizes both the potential and the completion, the eternal cycle of life. Even as these circles, these rings, hold universal significance, they are also personally significant to these two here today. They are a constant reminder of the bond between a husband and a wife. A visible, tangible symbol of their commitment to each other. Let these rings be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that this person has been chosen, this person walks not alone through life.

Clarence, please place this ring on Rondelle’s finger and repeat after me: Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you – and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my wife.

Rondelle, please place this ring on Clarence’s finger and repeat after me: Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you – and a reminder of my devotion to you. I am honored to call you my husband.

Pronouncement:

Clarence and Rondelle, you have each betrothed yourself to the other in love and compassion, and you have taken upon yourselves the responsibilities of a profound and loving friendship. In the presence of these guests, and in keeping with tradition, you have spoken the words and performed rites that have united your lives. Having so affirmed, by the power invested in me by the state of Hawaii, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife.

You may share your first married kiss.