Stephanie Lyn Lurz

Opening

I read an article on the internet recently that talked about how you know you have found the one. And it talked about all the wonderful things that happen when we first fall in love. It said how you will always be attracted to your spouse and everything they do that could be annoying is just endearing. While this is usually all true, it is not long lasting. As Rylee and Zack can surely attest after 8 years those annoying things that you originally found endearing actually do become annoying. And I guarantee you there will be a time you will look at your spouse and not be attracted to them at that moment in time. But that doesn’t mean you stop loving them. A reading called “sooner or later” sums it up well.

Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines, and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories, and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all -- one known only by those who love."

Intent

I Corinthians 13:4-8 is an iconic verse that talks about what love is…”Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." Zack and Rylee, you stand before me, your closest friends and family, and most importantly you stand before each other. Is it your intent to love each other as I Corninthians describes for all of time until death separates you in the sanctity of marriage? Reply: “I do”.

Vow Exchange

Rylee and Zack have chosen to share their own vows with one another. Rylee…..(Rylee reads her vows to Zack) Zack….(Zack reads his vows to Rylee)

Zack, repeat after me… I Zack/take you, Rylee,/ to be my wife./ To share all that I am/ and all that I have,/ for all time to come. / And I promise to do all in my power/ to keep my love /as deep and as strong as it is today.

Rylee, repeat after me…. I, Rylee/ take you, Zack,/ to be my husband/Your love is my anchor, /Your trust is my strength, /I will give you all my love/ from now until eternity ends, /You make my life complete.

Ring Exchange

The ring is an outward symbol of your love and commitment to one another. Let it serve as a daily reminder of the love and joy you feel today to help carry you through the more difficult ones.

(Rylee): I offer you my Love.

(Zack): I offer you my strength.

(Rylee): I offer you my weaknesses.

(Zack): I offer you my support.

(Rylee): I offer you my loyalty.

(Zack): I offer you my faith,

(together): for as long as we both shall live.

Zack, place the ring on Rylee’s hand and repeat after me… “I give you this ring/ to wear upon your hand,/ As a symbol of our love and unity./With this ring I marry you.”

Rylee, place the ring on Zack’s hand and repeat after me… “I give you this ring/to wear upon your hand,/ as a symbol of our love and unity./With this ring I marry you.”

Friend Vows to Sister

While Rylee and Zack’s marriage creates their own family unit which will undoubtedly grow, it does not take away from the family unit you belong to with your own parents, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, it increases it! Zack and Rylee not only recognize this, but want to fully embrace it and honor those special bonds, not take away from them. Because of this, Zack would like to share a special vow to Rylee’s closest friend, her sister, Regan. (Zack shares his vow)

Closing

Rylee and Zack, your marriage is new and this may be the time where those annoying things are endearing and you are attracted to one another 100% of the time. But your relationship has endured 8 years, so you are already wise and know that not everyday will be like this. My prayer and blessing for you could be summed up in the following anonymous reading….

Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship – as they threaten all relationships at one time or another – remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives – remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.

Pronouncement

Zack and Rylee, the last 8 years of your lives have been building up to today. Your families have patiently waited, so I don’t want to be the one to make ya all wait any longer!

By the power vested in me by the State of Nebraska and the American Marriage Ministries, I am pleased to pronounce you both husband and wife! Zach you may kiss your bride! It is not only my privilege but my honor to be the first to introduce to you all Mr. and Mrs. Prenger!!