Richard Carl Burchfiel

Please be seated.

First, I'd like to begin by welcoming and thanking each and every one of you for being here on this most happy of days. It's no accident that each of you are here today, and each of you were invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of Troy and Jessie.

I think I've had the good fortune of meeting most of you here today at some point or another, but for those of you whom I haven't met, my name is Ricky. Troy is a brother to me and my family. Our lives have been intertwined since the friendship of our older brothers. I'm truly thankful for the person you are and the love you have for me and mine. Jessie is an incredible person; both loving and kind. I have known Jessie for over 13 years, and in that time I have come to love and admire her as a part of the family. She is incredibly special, one for making Troy the happiest I have ever seen him, and two for being a completely genuine person that lights up the room she's in.

Today is a celebration, a celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of 2 people who are in it forever. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one moment is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge it's 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. I know how deeply these two care for and love one another, and I feel privileged to be here today, among all of you, as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime of love for one another.

So, without further adieu:

Please turn to face each other and hold hands (to Troy and Jessie)

Do you, Troy, take Jessie to be your wedded wife, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?

Do you, Jessie, take Troy to be your wedded Husband, to cherish in love and in friendship, in strength and in weakness, in success and in disappointment, to love her faithfully, today, tomorrow, and for as long as the two of you shall live?

*Ring Exchange*

Troy, as you place the ring on Jessie's finger, please repeat after me :

Jessie, I bring you this ring

forged in love

which to me is the symbol of completeness and eternity

and I give it to you to wear.

Jessie, as you place the ring on Troy's finger, please repeat after me:

Troy, I bring you this ring

forged in love

which to me is the symbol of completeness and eternity

and I give it to you to wear.

By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the State of California I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

I am so pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Troy and Jessie Crews!