Jack Lee Wolfe III

*(Intro)*

Who gives this Bride?

[Minister]

"Her Mother and I"

[Father of the Bride]

Welcome everyone and please be seated. We are all gathered here today to celebrate something that I feel like we've been waiting for, for so long, and now it's finally here. I first met Brian about three years ago when I was starting my journey into Res Life at the University of Akron. Brian quickly became someone that I knew I could turn to if I needed help in my new position. It didn't take long for this mentor relationship to become an actual friendship. In these three short years, Brian has become one of my best friends, I know I can go to him if I ever need advice, if I need help with anything, or to just hang out with a friend. From the moment that I met Melinda, I just knew that these two were meant to be together forever. They have just the right amount of things in common, and just the right amount of differences to keep things exciting. They're always going on fun little adventures with each other, and falling just a little bit more in love with each other every day. It's almost like they have something that can only be found in fairytales and romantic movies- true love. This is something that everyone looks for, and they're so fortunate to have found each other at a young age so that they can spend the majority of their lives together. When Brian and Melinda asked me to be a part of their special day in probably the biggest way possible, I couldn't have been happier or more honored.

This feeling of "true love" is just that, a feeling. It's hard to describe but when you're in love, you can just feel it. It's a feeling that takes over us. It's a feeling that's good for the soul, it makes us stronger, smarter, more creative, and most of all, more passionate.

The words that Melinda and Brian are going to say to each other soon are sometimes hard to say, but I know that these two people standing in front of me are strong enough to make this forever promise here in front of all of us today.

Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, commitment, friendship, family, and two people who are in it together, forever.

You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right? You're standing on a stage, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by pretty much everyone who has meant anything to you in the past twenty-something years. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier — our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That's why you both are standing here. That's why you all are here to watch them stand up here. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

I'm here — we're all here — because we want those moments for you two. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows together, like Friends, Archer, Doctor Who, the list goes on and on and, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try to explain it. That's just the way it is with love — it's meant to be felt, not described.

*[Vows]

The formal exchange of your wedding vows is the most ancient part of a wedding ceremony.

These are the words that couples for centuries have spoken to one another and, while they are very simple words, they have extraordinary meaning and importance. Today Melinda and Brian will be exchanging vows they have written themselves for one another.

Melinda, you may share your vows.

Brian, you may share your vows.

*[Ring Exchange]

The ring is an ancient symbol, believed by the Romans to connect the Love vain in your left finger directly to your heart. A ring is so simple and pure, it has no beginning and has no end. It is a circle; for love that is given comes back around again. Your rings are precious because you wear them with love. They symbolize your commitment in marriage. They remind you of who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are as individuals, but also who you are a couple.

Melinda please repeat after me:

Brian , you are the love of my life, you are my very best friend. I give you this ring to wear, as a symbol of my abiding love, my eternal faith, and my undying devotion to you. It is an outward reminder of our inner unity.

Brian please repeat after me:

Melinda, you are the love of my life, you are my very best friend. I give you this ring to wear, as a symbol of my abiding love, my eternal faith, and my undying devotion to you. It is an outward reminder of our inner unity.

*[Wine Ceremony]

As you share the wine from this cup, so may you share your lives together. May all the sweetness that it holds for you be that much sweeter because you have tasted it together. May you find life’s joys heightened, its bitterness sweetened, and all of life enriched by a constant love. As you share the wine from this cup, so may you share your lives together. As of this moment, you belong to the same current which will carry you to the highest peaks of life. May this bond hold forever true! Please share this cup of wine as an acknowledgment of the new bond between you as life partners, soul mates, and this evening as husband and wife.

*[Pronouncement]

Melinda and Brian, we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage.

We recognize and respect the vows you have made here this day, before each one of us as a witness.

In the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, and by the authority vested in me by the state of Ohio, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

Brian, you may now kiss your bride!

I am honored and privileged to present

Mr. and Mrs. Brian James Butler!