Rozalyn Louise Mendence

Heather & Zain Garibay ~ Wedding

September 21, 2019

Welcome! For those of you that haven’t had the pleasure of knowing me yet, I am Heather’s “Aunti Roz,” and lucky for you, Zain, I am now YOUR “Aunti Roz!” I cannot tell you both how extremely honored I was, and still am, that you selected me, of all the people you had to choose from, to officiate your wedding and be such an important part of your wedding celebration!

Heather & Zain have invited you all here today, to share with them in this beautiful celebration of their love, and the desire to join their lives together in marriage. As family and friends, each of you has played some part in bringing these two to this moment and in various ways will continue to support and contribute to their relationship. Heather & Zain, I want you to realize that in a greater sense, no other person or officiant can truly marry you, only YOU can marry yourselves. As Heather & Zain come before you here today as two, they will leave as one, united in a magical marriage!

Marriage is more than a formal exchange of rings. It is a sacred and solemn promise to one another that no matter, you’re in this together. Life is full of surprises…. Both positive and negative. It is impossible to know what is around the bend… however, with a trusted partner by your side, you may take comfort in the unknown. Whatever storms may come, you will weather them together. This is the beauty of love: not only does it cradle us when we are feeling weak and tired, it creates a solid foundation on which we can always rely.

Throughout life, we are faced with struggles, some big, some small, and some that look at us right in the face and require a “headbutt” to help us see things clearly. Although this should not happen again, as broken noses are not fun. Hopefully, we get the picture and have learned from this experience.

Heather, I have known you since you were born. You were a little girl full of imagination, creativity, innocence, a free-spirit full of love and laughter. You changed your clothes at least 12 times a day! You loved to play “dress up,” to put on make-up, to wear your mom’s shoes and jewelry and parade around the house. You were a tiny, petite, pigeon-toed angel whose world was absolutely magical! You were absolutely adorable, made a mess wherever you went, had numerous projects going on at once, only a few were ever completed, you were mischievous, daring, fearless and confident. You had a way of getting exactly what you wanted, especially with your Mom. You grew up into an absolutely beautiful young woman with sincere loyalty, love & passion for those you hold close to your heart! Zain loves you for being a really generous person, one who puts everyone before yourself. Although, his biggest “pet peeve” about you is that you complain about anything and everything! In case you don’t know, Zain, Heather is a Princess!

Zain, I have only had the pleasure of knowing you a short while. It took a while to get to know you…… YOU’RE SO QUIET!! You were probably thinking the same thing about me too, right? I have come to know you even more through your Mom & Dad. You were a very sweet little boy, played baseball for 14 years, you were a good little leaguer and a great eater. Chili Verde is your favorite food. An olive on each finger was a favorite snack when company visited. You were never a real social butterfly by nature, but your friends were everything to you and the main reason you got up to go to school each day. You have the brown “soulful” eyes of your French Grandmother, Charlotte. The light in your smile comes from the Garibay’s, Arbuela Cecilia. Your first babysitter was Aunti Maryann and her daughter, Cousin Carla. They used to take you shopping at the young age of 2 and get credit for your sense of style! You know all about skateboards and Vans shoes. You were a good metal drummer for a few years but didn’t want to follow your dad in the guitar world. You have a love for cars. Your parents can attest to this by your many broken down and towed away vehicles for various reasons. At the age of 10, you and your buddy, Alex, loved to sneak off to eat chocolate cake at Effie’s Restaurant. Jacky Boy’s Pizza was the hangout for you and your buds. You grew up into a very loyal, protective and supportive friend. You always liked to look your best and be physically fit. Zain, you have become a man of integrity with a “must-do” mentality. You are so caring, giving, hard-working, a very good friend and you can fix anything! Heather loves your “fun” personality.

Years later, in November of 2016, Heather & Zain met….. AT A BAR, the Willow Den. Zane knew that he MUST meet this girl. He asked Heather’s friend all about her yet never asked for Heather’s phone number. Instead, he looked her up on Facebook and messaged her, giving her his number. Heather was all over it! Their first date was at Sushi Confidential followed by a dive bar where they played pool. 2 years ago, Zain knew this was the woman he wanted to marry. Zain’s Mom gave him his Grandmother’s engagement ring to give to Heather when he proposed to her. It was very clear that if Zain hadn’t proposed to Heather when he did, Heather was ready to buy a ring and propose to him!

Your marriage will take trust, to know in your hearts, that you truly want the best for each other.

It will take dedication, to stay open and honest with one another, to learn and grow together.

It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.

It will take commitment to hold true, to the journey you both promise today and share together.

You will experience a lot together, some wonderful, some difficult. But even when it is difficult, you must manage to call upon the strength in the love you have for each other to see you through.

Zain, Heather wrote you a little note and has asked me to read it to you.

“For the first time, I know what it means to love, be loved, for better and worse, seeing the beauty and the flaws, seeing the worst in someone. Having the faith to risk you seeing me, the real me, that no one gets to see but you. I didn’t realize how dark my life felt until you dragged me into the light. You are my Northern Star. You are my home. I vow to you, Zain, you will always have me to turn to, in your darkest hour or your brightest moment. I vow to you today for a lifetime of memories, the good and the bad and promise you a love so strong, Superman couldn’t break it. I love you infinity times infinity ~ or ~ I love you double infinity!

VOWS

Heather, please repeat after me:

I, Heather, take you Zain………. to be my husband…….. You are my ride or die…….. the true love of my life ………. I will treasure our life together ………. and love you today, tomorrow and forever……… I will trust and honor you ………… I will laugh and cry with you……… with unfailing love………… I will stand by you ……. through the best and the worst………. through the difficult and the easy………. As I have given you my hand to hold ………… so I give you my life to keep.

Zain, please repeat after me:

I, Zain, take you Heather………… to be my wife……….. You are my ride or die……….. the true love of my life………... I will treasure our life together ………… and love you today, tomorrow and forever………… I will trust and honor you …………. I will laugh and cry with you ………… with unfailing love………. I will stand by you ………….. through the best and the worst ………… through the difficult and the easy…………. As I have given you my hand to hold……… so I give you my life to keep.

RINGS ~ “Will the ring bearer please bring the rings forward”

These rings are a symbol of the love and commitment Heather & Zain hold for each other.

Heather, please repeat after me:

Zain, I give you this ring……….. As a symbol of my love……….. As it wraps around your finger……….. May it remind you always………. That you are surrounded by my eternal love……….. Whenever you look at it………. May it remind you of the vows we make today.

Zain, please repeat after me:

Heather, I give you this ring………. As a symbol of my love……….. As it wraps around your finger……… May it remind you always……… That you are surrounded by my eternal love……… Whenever you look at it……………. May it remind you of the vows we make today.

Heather & Zain, you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind and the power invested in Me that I pronounce you husband and wife!

And now………. The moment you have been anxiously waiting for……..

Zain, you may kiss your bride!

It is my privilege and with great honor to present to you for the very first time………… Mr. & Mrs. Zain & Heather Garibay!

THAT’S A WRAP!!!!