Dr. Jody L Bergstrom, Ed.D.

The secret to a happy marriage is if you can be at peace with someone within four walls, if you are content because the one you love is near you, either upstairs or downstairs, or in the same room, and you feel that warmth that you don’t find very often then that is what love is about.

Love is accepting her morning coffee may be a more important first thing in the morning, just as his love for Bud Light wins over her craft beers. Despite life’s little differences, love conquers all.

We will now witness the vows of Britan and Ashley.

Britan will say:

From this day forward I promise you these things. I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it and step aside when you don’t. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.

Ashley will say:

From this day forward I promise you these things. I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it and step aside when you don’t. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.

Britan and Ashley, continue to hold each other’s hands for the hands blessing.

As you hold hands here today, please enjoy and appreciate the gift that these hands are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, which are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe away the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. Together, as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Through marriage, two people come together and create a union that is greater than the sum of its parts. It is difficult to express in words the profound relationship that is love. The marriage ring is a physical manifestation of the promises of joining both the bride and groom together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart – the perfect place for a symbol representing love and commitment. These rings are visible symbols of your bond.

As you, Britan, place this ring on Ashley’s finger, please repeat after me: I promise you, Ashley, before our family and friends, to commit my love to you; to respect your individuality; to be with you through life’s changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, as long as we both shall live.

As you, Ashley, place this ring on Britan’s finger, please repeat after me: I promise you Britan before our family and friends, to commit my love to you; to respect your individuality; to be with you through life’s changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, as long as we both shall live.

At this time Ashley and Britan would like you to witness and untraditional tradition. The fact that it is untraditional is probably why it appeals to them so much. Here’s how it works: Ashley and Britan have written love letters to each other. In these letters they have detailed why they fell in love and what they truly admire about the other person. These letters were sealed before they could read what the other wrote. The letter will be placed in this box along with a good bottle of wine. They will then nail the box closed.

The idea is that if ever they find their marriage has hit a rough spot, they will bring out the box, they will open it, share the wine, and read the letters reminding them of the love that has brought them together and the promises they made to each other here today.

It is our hope and belief that they will not need the box except in celebration of an anniversary.

They hope to hold out until September 1st, 2019, but if they do need it, it’s there.

This may not seem like the most romantic thing to do on a wedding day – to think about the days when things will be hard – but it’s important to Ashley and Britan that their ceremony and promises to each other be realistic.

They know that marriage is hard.

They know it is a lot of work.

They mean every word that they have said here today, and they will not take the words lightly as long as they both shall live.

Ashley and Britan, you may now seal the box.

Britan and Ashley, you are now officially, as you already have been in your hearts, husband, and wife.

Having witnessed your vows, and with all who are gathered here today and by the power vested in me by the State of Montana, it is with great joy that I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Britan, you may kiss your bride.

Is it my honor to introduce the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Britan Eisenbeis!