Kristin Kay Zastrow

Welcome, everyone. It's such an honor and blessing to be here with all of you as we celebrate Mandy and Steve and the new family and life that they begin together today.

As we begin, many of you probably know the song that played when Mandy was making her way to Steve, but did you notice the words? (OK - not "getting tattoos and trashing hotel rooms"...) The words like, "Baby take my hand - I don't want to be a one-man band" - They chose that song for a reason. And here we are...

INTENT TO BE MARRIED

So Steve and Mandy.... is it your intent today to take each others hand, profess your love and commitment to one another, and be united in marriage? If so, please say YES, WE DO...

Now that we know your intentions, let's ground ourselves in the Word of God.

SCRIPTURE READING

From the Book of Ruth - It's a reading about the love and loyalty of a woman to her family - actually, from Ruth to her Mother-in-Law after the loss of her husband. This part of scripture reminded me of the kind of love and commitment that I heard when I was talking with Mandy and Steve... Ruth Chapter 1 verses 16 and part of 17: "But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried…"

Now, how did I get to thinking about a love and commitment to someone like that of Ruth?

It was a conversation we had about how they met - on the internet - of all places, and five and a half years later, we find ourselves here. (Now, if this was MY internet dating story, We'd find ourselves on Dateline, sooo....)

All kidding aside, Steve...Mandy shared that she would have waited another 5-years - whatever it took - to be standing by your side - and that's a story that reminds me of the kind of love and commitment we find in the book of Ruth. And Mandy - the words Steve shared about his love for you?.... well...I'm going to let HIM tell you....

DECLARATION OF INTENT AND VOWS

Steve and Mandy is it your intent to exchange your own vows to one another? Please, join hands...

Steve, are you prepared to declare your vows to Mandy?

(BACK-UP) Steven Frank Lau, will you keep Amanda Marie, as the person that was made for you - to laugh with her, support her through life's easy and tough moments, be proud of her and support her, grow old with her, and continue to be her best friend today and every day, from this day forward? If you do so, respond with: I will)

Amanda, have you prepared vows for Steve?

(BACK-UP) Will you, Amanda Marie Haut, keep Steven Frank as the person that was made for you - to laugh with him, support him through the easy moments as well as those that challenge him; will you be proud of him, grow old with him, and continue to be his best friend today and every day moving forward? If you do so, respond with: I will)

Now that you've made your personal vows to one another,

Will you, Steve and Mandy, be each other's partners, continue to be open and honest, sharing the sorrows and the happiness with one another, be there for each other through the worst of days and the best, and will you love each other absolutely - for the rest of your lives? If you do, respond with: We will.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Steve, if you could take Mandy's left hand and as you place the ring on her finger, repeat these words after me: "Mandy, this ring symbolizes my love and commitment to you, and that you are the person I want to be with for the rest of my life".

Mandy, if you could take Steve's left hand. As you place the ring on his finger, repeat these words after me: "Steve, this ring symbolizes my love and commitment, and that you're my person for the rest of my life."

Family Union

Kasey and Grace, could you come next to us and join hands.

Is it your intent to be a family together, supporting one another through the fun times and the tough ones, accepting Mandy as a "bonus Mom" and Mandy, accepting that you now have "bonus kids"? If you do, please answer with WE WILL... Thank you.

PRONOUNCEMENT

Steven Frank and Amanda Marie... you have both chosen to be here freely, and in the presence of your family and friends, you have declared your love and commitment to each other and exchanged rings as a symbol of your promises. Therefore, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Steve - you may kiss your bride.

For the first time, I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Rau.

RECESSIONAL