Abigail M. Martin

Abby: On September 5th, 2020, Thomas and Sarah intended to marry each other in a sunlit ceremony on the side of a mountain in Utah, in the presence of all of us, their loved ones. But, as we all know, the universe had different plans. Ever the optimists, Thomas and Sarah persevered and held out hope that their day of celebration would come. As they navigated the replanning process, it became abundantly clear that what was most important to the two of them, beyond sealing their love for and commitment to one another, was to have their families and friends bear witness to the occasion. And, finally, here we are, three hundred and fifty long days later, not on a Utah mountainside, but, in Milford, Michigan, at the lovely home of Sarah’s parents, Dan and Joanne. Sarah and Thomas want to thank you all for coming, from near and far, to share in their day of love and celebration. And they would also like to take a moment to recognize everyone who was unable to make it today due to the current circumstances, and to remember all of their loved ones who have passed on, but who are with us today in spirit.

Abby: Welcome, everyone, to the marriage of Sarah Teresa Jones to Thomas Reid Martin. I’m Abby Martin, Thomas’s oldest sister. I have known Thomas since the very moment he came into the world, and it has been such an incredible gift to witness him grow into the man you see before you today. As the baby of the five Martin children, he grew up in all of our shadows, yet managed to excel at everything he put his mind to: drumming, scouting, academics, and now nursing. He is courageous, kind, and hardworking. Then, there is Sarah, the second oldest in the four Jones children. And, while I didn’t get to witness Sarah become the woman you see before you today, I can say that it has been an incredible gift to have her join our family. With her big, beautiful smile, kind heart, and charming innocence, she has won us all over. Together, Sarah and Thomas, make the perfect pair. They met while working on the Red River in Moab, and have been on one adventure after another ever since. Along the way, they have seemingly managed to achieve what eludes most of us in life: balance. They, like a great poet, endeavor to live deep and suck the marrow out of life. But, what is most enviable about them, is that they manage to live so fully, while still being generous with their time, nurturing their relationships with friends and family and honoring their personal and professional commitments. It is their dedication to building this beautiful and well-rounded life together that awes me. And I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them as husband and wife.

Abby: Our mom, Genny Martin, will now read a poem for the couple.

Mom:

[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]

By e. e. cummings

i carry your heart with me(i carry it in

my heart)i am never without it(anywhere

i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done

by only me is your doing,my darling)

i fear

no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want

no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)

and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows

higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)

Abby: Sarah and Thomas, you have chosen to write your own vows, and it is with these words that you express your love and commitment to one another. If you are ready, please face each other and begin. Sarah, you first.

Sarah: Thomas,

To the man that has stood beside me through it all and made me laugh harder and love fuller: I am honored to stand here in front of our family and friends and become your wife.

I love the way you move through life, a constant reminder of what is important: caring deeply for those around you. As a recipient of that love and care, I can tell you I'm blessed to be signing up for a lifetime of it.

I vow to be your partner in life. I will take on the whole journey with you. I will be there to celebrate the joy as we continue to build a life of intention. I will be there for the hardships, there to help move us forward stronger.

Thomas, I vow to honor our dream, a big beautiful life together, by doing the work.

Thomas: To me this ring represents shared sunrises, carport hangs, truck bed campouts, garden weeding, family cuddle puddles, bicycle rides, and Monopoly deal games, and maybe I’ll win someday. Over these past 6 years, you have grown into my companion, guide, glucose guardian, and best friend. I have always believed that home is not a place but more a state of mind, and with you, I find no truer words. You asked me once, or twice, why I love you. And I think the best answer I ever had for you was that I like the way I feel when I’m around you. Maybe a better answer is: I love you because of the way you treat me, the way you care, the way you nag me for what I eat, the way you say “okay” when you’re nervous, the way that Bean chews on your hair, your smile, how you chew with your mouth open, and most of all, your passion for life. Thank you for being you, thanks for being my teammate. Absoloodle.

Blessing - Joanne & Dan Jones

Abby: The parents of the bride, Dan and Joanne Jones, would like to give a blessing.

Dan & Joanne: [BLESSING]

Abby: Now, to express your binding promises to one another. Sarah and Thomas, do you pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration, and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy, and equanimity?

Sarah/Thomas: [together] We do.

Abby: I would now like to ask all of the guests to stand.

Two people in love do not live in isolation. Their love is a source of strength with which they may nourish not only each other but also the world around them. And, in turn, we, their community of friends and family, have a responsibility to this couple. By our steadfast care, respect, and love, we can support their marriage and the new family they are creating today.

Will you who are present here today, surround Sarah and Thomas in love, offering them the joys of your friendship, and supporting them in their marriage? If so, please say “We will.”

Guests: [together] We will.

Abby: Thank you. Please be seated.

Abby: Now, Sarah, place the ring on Thomas's finger and repeat after me.

As this ring encircles your finger...from this moment forward...so will my love forever encircle you...You will never walk alone...My heart will be your shelter...My arms will be your home...We will walk through life as partners and best friends...I promise to do my best to love, cherish and accept you...just the way you are...I give you my heart until the end of time...I have no greater gift to give.

Thomas, place the ring on Sarah's finger and repeat after me.

As this ring encircles your finger...from this moment forward...so will my love forever encircle you...You will never walk alone...My heart will be your shelter...My arms will be your home...We will walk through life as partners and best friends...I promise to do my best to love, cherish and accept you...just the way you are...I give you my heart until the end of time...I have no greater gift to give.

Abby: In the presence of their family and friends, Sarah and Thomas have made their solemn vows to each other. They have confirmed their promises by joining their hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. Sarah and Thomas, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness and patience, and crown all these things with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. By the power given to me by the American Marriage Ministries and by the State of Michigan, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may now kiss the bride.

Abby: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great honor to present for the first time, Thomas and Sarah Martin!