Robert Tim Miller

Opening

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the joining of two hearts, Sean and Kennedy.

This is also a celebration for the rest of us, for it is a pleasure for us to see young love and the commitment from these two as they have chosen to be joined to one another in friendship, love, and as a family.

Words of Wisdom

• A good marriage must be created.

• In marriage the "little" things are the big things.

• It is never being too old to hold hands.

• It is remembering to say, ”I love you" at least once a day.

• It is never going to sleep angry.

• It is standing together and facing the world.

• It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

• It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

• It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner

VOWS (face each other and hold hands) (repeat after me)

(Groom/Bride) do you pledge to love, honor, and cherish (bride/groom), and throughout your years together be honest, faithful, and kind to her/him? Do you pledge to give her the same happiness she gives to you, to react to her as only you can, and to respect her for who she is, not who you want her to be?

Sean and Kennedy, I would ask that you always treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together.

Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty attack your marriage - as they do to every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong.

This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness.

Ring Exchange

I have heard some say that there are 3 rings of marriage. The engagement ring, the wedding ring and the suffering. We hope the latter can be held to a minimum.

Today you bring beautiful rings to exchange as a symbol of the love, and promises you each will make here today. The ring has been a symbol of many things to many people. First of all the ring is created of a material that will never tarnish, symbolizing your love as it is today will stay forever untarnished.

Ring Exchange Vows

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today."

As often as either of you looks at this symbols of love, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you have made here today.

Sean and Kennedy have just sealed their relationship with the giving and receiving of rings. Today their relationship is further symbolized by the tying of a fisherman's knot; a true lovers knot, for it is the strongest there is; its bond will not break, becoming ever stronger under pressure.

Rope

The fisherman’s knot - “true lovers knot” is the strongest there is; it will not break, and will only become stronger when under pressure (begin tying the knot). These two cords represent your past, your own individual and separate lives before today. As you intertwine your pieces, you are joining your two lives into one, representing the present. The finished knot symbolizes your future, and how your love and marriage will continue to be strong despite any trials life may throw your way.

Although the fisherman's knot is one of the simplest knots to tie, it is also one of the strongest. The rope itself will break before the knot will. (pull the rope together).

I see by this knot before me that you both share the same intentions concerning this relationship, that you will hold each other’s heart tight, and form a strong bond from here to forever.

Let this knot be a symbol of the strength of your love for each other.

Closing Comments

To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.

• 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, as a couple and as a family, without knowing exactly what the future brings.

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

By the power vested in me by the State of Idaho, I now pronounce you . . . . . .

The Kiss

Sean, you may kiss your bride.

I would like to introduce the happy couple