Sheri T Millikin

SHERI: “Who supports Leah as she and Chris take this next step together?”

DUSTIN/MOM: Her mother and brother do

SHERI: Welcome family and friends and more importantly welcome Leah Marie Strasburg and Christopher Michael Bussard. Let us start with a brief prayer please. If everyone would please bow their heads.

Heavenly Father, Chris and Leah come before You, their families and friends pledging their love for one another. Let us all remember your words from 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 which states “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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 ends. Today Lord, we ask you Bless these two special people as they commit their lives to one another and help them along their journey with Your love and guidance. In your name we pray, Amen”

Wow, what can I say? I would have been honored just to be here celebrating this incredibly joyous occasion. I would have sat out there among Chris and Leah’s friends and family with a big smile knowing that I was witness to the most important day in their relationship. This is the day where Chris and Leah are taking that relationship to the next level. And Chris and Leah, I think I can speak for everyone in that we are all honored to be here to celebrate you both on this most important day.

Some might say that they are already committed to each other and I would not disagree. But today, they are boldly stating that commitment to those that matter the most to them. They are saying to us, we love each other, we support each other and we want to spend the rest of our lives together.

To the parents of Leah and Chris, I know it seems like just yesterday your children were just that, children. Today they will be creating their own family and taking the lessons you shared with them as they lived as children. Promise them you will love, support, encourage and give your heartfelt Blessings to them today and everyday. To the friends and other family of Leah and Chris, recognize the significance of the commitment they are about to make. Today the nature of their relationships with you will change. They will put one another first and need your love, support, encouragement and heartfelt Blessings as they begin this journey together not as two people, but as one couple. So I ask all of you to show them your support today by responding with “I will” as I ask all of you…parents, family, friends, do you promise to love, support, encourage and provide heartfelt Blessings to both of them?”

ATTENDEES: “I will”

SHERI: Leah and Chris come before us today pledging their love and hearts to one another. Marriage is not something entered into lightly. It’s a partnership of two becoming one. It means being understanding, showing each other kindness and unconditional love, being friends, companions and partners as they travel on this journey. As anyone who has ever been married can tell you both, marriage can sometimes be a rollercoaster ride. It will having amazing highs and sometimes a few lows. It began with a slow climb and anticipation to get here. It will start with a big thrill and may have it’s ups and downs. One minute you’ll be flying high and filled with excitement while other times it may feel like you’re inching along or maybe at times scared. What makes marriage wonderful is that you’re not riding it alone. You have a partner beside you who is holding your hand and whispering calming words or screaming with excitement. It’ll be a rollercoaster you’ll never want to get off. Just remember, Leah, it may mean that sometimes you have to sit and laugh at some of Chris’ jokes that aren’t that funny. Chris, it may mean that you’ll have to be patient and understanding when Leah says she’ll be ready in 5 minute and that was 20 minutes earlier.

In today’s world, it’s so easy for a couple to say “Why bother getting married? We can just live together.” Marriage is making a statement to each other that not only do you love each other but you want to commit yourself to them for the rest of your life. It is telling them that you will be there for each other when they need you the most. That you will provide comfort, a kind word and a shoulder to cry on. It means you will laugh together whether you’re laughing with them or at them and enjoying life together as a beautiful adventure as one amazing couple. As a quote states “Love does not make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

Before vows are exchanged, I want to give you both some rules to follow. Yes, rules. Sorry, but since you’re both getting ready to take off on this trip together, there are rules and there are ten. One, never go to bed angry at the same time. Two, never yell at each other unless the house is on fire or you see a snake. Three, if one of you has to win an argument, let it be your spouse. Four, if you have to criticize, do it lovingly. Five, never bring up mistakes from the past. Six, neglect the whole world rather than each other. Seven, never go to sleep with an argument unsettled. Eight, at least once a day say a kind word or pay a compliment to each other. Texts are okay, but face to face is required. Nine, when you have done something wrong, admit it and ask for forgiveness. And ten, both of you remember it takes two to make an argument and usually the one in the wrong is the one doing the most talking. Just remember to love, honor, cherish, communicate and treasure one another. Today you begin a new job of protecting the other’s heart because they’ve given it to you.

Leah and Chris, please face each other now as you exchange vows with each other.

SHERI: Christopher Michael Bussard, Do you take Leah Marie Strasburg to be your bride? Do you promise to be her partner, lover, companion and friend? Do you promise to be her greatest ally, her biggest fan and her toughest critic who will always be there to trust and protect her? Do you promise to be her comrade in adventure and accomplice in mischief? Do you promise to laugh during the happy times and be her comfort in times of sorrow and that you’ll turn to her in your times of need? Do you promise to grow with her, to pay attention to all of the little things and most importantly to love, respect and cherish all of your days together? If so, please say “I will”

CHRIS: “I will”

SHERI: Leah Marie Strasburg, Do you take Christopher Michael Bussard to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor and respect him and appreciate him for who he is and support him daily? Do you promise to fill your home together with creativity, compassion and joy? Do you promise to be there beside him every day whether filled with joy or sadness? Do you promise to provide him with trust and security and be the one he can protect? Do you promise that whether you’re in a bad mood that you’ll do your best to end the day with a laugh with one another knowing that he is the one you know you can reach to if you have a bad dream or day and will always be there for you and you will in turn always be there for him because he is your companion, lover and best friend and will be all your days together? If so, please say “I will”

LEAH: “I will”

SHERI: If there is anyone here who objects to this union, speak now for forever hold your peace.

We will now proceed with the lighting of the Unity candle and exchange of rings between Chris and Leah.

SHERI: Chris and Leah would now like to symbolize their union with a ceremony of light. The flame of the soon to be lit Unity candle represents not only illumination, but also Spirit; and fire is often said to symbolize inspiration, power, and passion.

As you each bring these qualities forth from within yourselves to your union and your family, may you find the same flame burning always brightly in your hearts.

Chris and Leah, take these candles, and realize that as you light the Unity candle together, you leave behind your separate lives, your separate families, and your two separate sets of friends.

Your lit Unity Candle represents that your two lives are now joined as one. It also represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends as one. May the light of love, And the light of understanding, And the light of respect, And the light of tolerance, Shine eternally for you both.

Now that you have exchanged vows and lit the Unity candle, let us rejoice as you exchange rings as symbols of your love and commitment to one another.

May these rings be Blessed as the symbol of this union. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, they will always return to one another in their togetherness. The home they create will be their sanctuary that many will there find a friend. These rings, on their fingers, symbolize the touch of the Spirit of Love in their hearts.

As you, Christopher Michael Bussard, place this ring on Leah Marie Strasburg’s finger, please repeat after me: Leah, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and our partnership in life. You have my heart always.

SHERI: As you, Leah Marie Strasburg, place this ring on Christopher Michael Bussard’s finger, please repeat after me: Chris, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and our partnership in life. You have my heart always.

SHERI: Chris and Leah, you’ve exchanged vows, shared in the lighting of a Unity Candle and exchanged rings as symbols of your love for one another. Before I formally conclude this service, I’d like to read something for both of you and all here today.

This is a poem called “Maybe” by an unknown author.

"Maybe we are supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

Maybe it is true that we don’t know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don’t know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Maybe the happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Maybe the best kind of love is the kind where you can sit on a sofa together never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you’ve ever had.

Maybe you shouldn’t go for looks; they can deceive. Don’t go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.

Maybe you should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

Maybe love is not about finding the perfect person; it’s about learning to see an imperfect person perfectly."

Leah and Chris, it has been a great honor and privilege to not only be here today, but to perform this ceremony for the two of you and it is now a great honor for me to formally say with the power vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride!

SHERI: Family and friends, at the beginning of the ceremony you all joined me in welcoming them by their individual names; now please join me in celebrating them as an officially married couple.

It is my great honor and privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bussard.

SHERI: Chris and Leah and their families will be taking some special family photos & then joining the reception following photos and everyone is welcomed and encouraged to await the arrival of the newlyweds in the reception area until they are finished so everyone can celebrate today with them.

Please feel free to await their arrival there now. Thank you all for coming today to celebrate this special day with them.