Rachel Robinson

INVOCATION

Please be seated.

MAWAGE is wot bwings us togeder tooday.

MAWAGE, that bwessed awangment,

that dweam wifin a dweam...

And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva...

So tweasure your wuv

True love is the greatest thing in the world. Except a nice MLT—a mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomatoes are ripe!

On behalf of Joel and Suzan , I would like to thank you all for being here this afternoon. As these two are joined by the bonds of love. Love that you cannot track, not with a thousand bloodhounds, and you cannot break, not with a thousand swords.

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.

And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.

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, 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 and explain it. That's just the way it is with love - it's meant to be felt, not described.

But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs, and movies about love. And even though we describe love in different ways - and even though love can look different from one person to the next - we all know it when we see it. And we see it here.

Marriage is about the continued learning of not just living together as a couple of two separate lives, but living your lives as one complete life. It means continually moving forward as a couple, and working towards the success of your family. Let nothing stand in the way of your marriage. The success of the longevity of your marriage rests upon you. To honor your spouse, to be a loving and supporting parent, to support your better half in their ambitions, and to be a nurturing, loving pillar of your family.

So and ...are you ready to do this?!

DECLARATION OF INTENT

Joel and Suzan, do you, with your family and friends as your witnesses, present yourselves willingly and of your own accord to be joined in marriage?

[I do]

Will you promise to care for each other in the joys and sorrows of life, come what may, and to share the responsibility for growth and enrichment of your life together?

[I do]

Vows:

Suzan, please repeat after me

I, Suzan, take you Joel to be my beloved husband, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this, from my heart, for all of the days of our lives.

Joel: repeat after me:

I, Joel, take you, Suzan, to be my lawfully wedded wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner, my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in everything, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”

RING EXCHANGE

A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is also a symbol of completeness, just as you two complete each other. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love, and of the Schwartz. It encircles an opening, which is the door to your future. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other.

Suzan place the ring on Joel's finger and repeat after me:

Joel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

Joel, place the ring on Suzan's finger and repeat after me:

Suzan, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever.

PRONOUNCEMENT

To make your relationship work will take love.

It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing what the future holds.

And it will take commitment, to remain true to the journey you both have pledged to begin today.

You both have stated your intent, you have declared commitment to one another, and have exchanged rings. There is now only one thing left to do...

By the power vested in me by the State of Ohio and the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Joel, you may now kiss your bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Stalder!