David Alan Boling

Dearly Beloved and Honored Guests,

We are gathered together here to join Brian Scott Davis and Summer Nicole Upton in the union of marriage.

We talk a lot in our culture about how marriage is hard work. How it takes commitment, and sacrifice, and most of all, love, but what we don’t often talk about is why we do it. Why do we agree to stick by one another when it seems so hard to do sometimes? Why do we agree to share our most intimate secrets and details with another, and make ourselves so vulnerable to that person so as to be considered one flesh by so many?

The answer, of course is love. But what does love do for us? Love - real love - the kind that’s a verb, not a noun - is having someone to rely on when the world is throwing you to the wolves. And real love is being committed to be there when your lover is being thrown to the wolves, too. Real love is a partnership and a commitment to facing not only life’s challenges together, but life’s triumphs.

Real love is being able to run down the hall and tell someone you just got the best news ever, and it’s being committed to jumping for joy when your spouse runs down the hall and tells you about the news they just got.

Real love is about being open and honest with one another, and trusting that the person you love is going to help you work through things together, as a partner.

Together, you will encounter many challenges that can help you grow. Spend time doing the things that make life precious – cooperate with each other, always make time to laugh together, and never lose appreciation for the love that you share. Remember, too, to adhere to the vows that you will make today. Seek strength from each other, give hope to each other, and let your trials help you grow together. They say love can build bridges and climb mountains — and they're right. You will find that as it grows and matures over time, your love for one another will prove both fulfilling and empowering.

Yes, there will be challenges in life, but the strength of your bond will offer you protection against life's storms. Always make your relationship a priority, and continue to nurture each other. Through a commitment to love, and with the power of faith, together you will be able to navigate any obstacles that come your way.

The contract that you make here today is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.

Brian and Summer, I want to urge you to hold to that vision of your love for one another, because even though all of us here are behind you and rooting for you, life throws us challenges, and in the midst of those challenges, it’s the kind of love that is going to get you through it.

Knowing this, it’s time to declare yourselves to one another.

*(Declaration of Consent)*

Do you, Brian, take Summer to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage; to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, and give yourself only to her as long as you both shall live? If so you will answer, "I do."

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Do you, Summer, take Brian to be your wedded husband, to live together in marriage; to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, and give yourself only to him as long as you both shall live? If so, you will answer, "I do."

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Adley, Emmie, Tracy, Autumn, and Braydon, you will have a share in this marriage, for your lives will be touched by the promises made by your mother and father today. Your participation will be needed to develop the bonds of this new family. You all join together to create a family of mutual help, respect, and support. We ask that you help to create a home and a way of life in which all of you may grow into the best people you can be.

Brian and Summer, as you give yourselves to one another in love and loyalty, will you also promise always to keep room in your new life together for Adley, Emmie, and Tracy? Will you commit yourselves to respect and honor them as individuals and members of this family? Will you pledge to cherish, encourage and tenderly care for them as long as they need you? If so, answer, "We will."

*(Wait for Confirmation)*

Always remember the love that has brought all of you together and that will guide you and nurture you in the years ahead.

Now, please face towards each other and join hands.

In marriage, rings are often exchanged and, be they simple or elaborate in design, the symbolism associated with them is great. A wedding ring is, of course, a universal sign to the outside world that the wearer is committed to another. To the individual, the ring provides a tangible reminder of the marriage union and the promises that have been made. The rings you bring here today are, in many ways, representative of the very nature of love and marriage. Made in a circle, their design tells us that love must never come to an end; it must always be continuous. The rings will not always shine as brightly as they do today. Like the marriage relationship, they are subject to the wear and tear of daily life. From time to time they must be cleaned and polished up, just as from time to time the marriage relationship must be refreshed and renewed. Brian and Summer, as you exchange these rings today, be aware that in your life together you will go through many cycles, this is just the beginning of a long journey. As you go through life together, remember that you love for each other and commitments to one another are never ending, they are rare and precious and will sustain you throughout the journey ahead.

Brian and Summer will now share their vows and rings.

*(Vows/Ring Exchange)*

Brian, please place the ring on Summer's hand and repeat after me.

Summer,+ I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. + Myself and all that I have I share with you. + With all my heart it is you I love.+ From this time on,+ in days of joy and sadness,+ in sickness and health,+ in poverty and plenty,+ until death itself parts us,+ I shall cherish you above all others.+ With this ring, I wed you.

Summer, please place the ring on Brian's hand and repeat after me.

Brian, + I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.+ Myself and all that I have I share with you. + With all my heart it is you I love.+ From this time on,+ in days of joy and of sadness,+ in sickness and health,+ in poverty and plenty,+ until death itself parts us, +I shall cherish you above all others.+ With this ring, I wed you.

By the authority vested in me by the State of Oklahoma, I now pronounce you husband and wife!

Brian, you may kiss the bride!

It gives me great pleasure to now present Mr. and Mrs. Brian Davis!