Julie Williams

Wedding Ceremony of Jason and Lysa - 7/3/2020

Welcome

Please be seated.

Beloved and honored guests:

We gather together here to join Jason and Lysa in the union of marriage.

First, I’d like to begin by welcoming everyone and thanking each and every one of you for being here on this most happy of days. It’s no accident that each of you are here today, and each of you were invited to be here because you represent someone important in the individual and collective lives of Jason and Lysa.

This contract is not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and seriously, and with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities.

Who presents this woman to be married to this man?

[Lysa's father]: [Her mother and I do]

Jason and Lysa, marriage is the promise between two people who love each other, who trust that love, who honor one another as individuals in that togetherness, and who wish to spend the rest of their lives together. It enables the two separate souls to share their desires, longings, dreams, and memories, their joys and sorrows, and to help each other through all uncertainties of life. A strong marriage also nurtures each of you as separate individuals and allows you to maintain your unique identity and grow in your own way through the years ahead. It is a safe haven for each of you to become your best self while together you become better than ever could be alone.

You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities and love. To make this relationship work, therefore, takes more than love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful, that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them. I know how deeply these two care for and love one another, and I am honored to be here today among all of you as a witness of their commitment to a lifetime of love for one another.

You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right? You're standing on a stage, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by pretty much everyone who has meant anything to you in the past twenty-something years. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. Why this moment?

Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It is the great unifier — our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we have come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we are doing right. That is why you both are standing here. That is why you all are here to watch them stand up here. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we are reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity

All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure.

And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come.

I am here — we are all here — because we want those moments for you. We are here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It is not one moment — not even this moment. It is every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, welcome home hugs when you get home from work. These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience.

And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love — it's meant to be felt, not described.

You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter.

You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of."

Jason and Lysa have each prepared vows that they will read now.

Please turn to each other and share your vows.

[Jason]:

I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when our love is easy, and when it is difficult. I will be your stability when you are tempest-tossed, your ally in prosperity, and your partner in all things. These things I promise to you today, and all the days of our life.

[Lysa]:

Hey Goose. So, as I’m sitting here writing this, I’m trying to think of what to say. How do I say I love you in a way that so perfectly fits you and me? It’s a lot harder than you think haha. Truth is there is no perfect way. You were never one for words, and I will spout thousand of them to say what could have used two. A little bit like Burr and Hamilton in that sense haha. “That’s all you had to say.” “Okay. One more thing”.

We’ve always been very opposite. You were quiet and sullen and withdrawn when we first met; you were also calculating and observant and calm. You had a quiet confidence that didn’t need people to make you happy, and could so choose who you brought into your life. I was loud and boisterous and fun; and secretly scared, timid, and unsure. We’ve brought balance to each other and our lives that I never believed possible. I am still fun, and outgoing, and I love people; but you’ve helped me temper that with calm, and observation, and order to my chaotic world. You are still always watching everything, keeping quiet and keeping to yourself; but you’ve tempered that with more smiles, more laughs, and more affection. You have given order to my chaos; I have given sunshine to your night.

I promise to always do my best, even if I can’t finish the dishes. I promise to tell you I love you every night. I promise to get you out of the house, but also stay inside and watch dumb movies with you. I promise to do my best to not play my music so loud. I promise to make great food for us and to keep the kitchen kind of clean.

I promise to give you a smile every day. I promise that you will be the last person I see every night and the first person I see every morning (with the exception of trips to Robbie’s). I promise to love you with all of my heart every day of the rest of my life. I promise to be your best friend as long as we both shall live.

For it is plain as anyone can see, we’re simply meant to be.

[Officiant]:

And now:

[DECLARATION OF INTENT]

Do you Lysa, take Jason, to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him/her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him/her forevermore?

[Lysa]: I do.

Do you Jason, take Lysa, to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him/her, forsaking all others, and holding only unto him/her forevermore?

[Jason]: I do.

[RING EXCHANGE]

A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other.

Jason, place the ring on Lysa’s finger and repeat after me:

Lysa, As a sign of my love

That I have chosen you

Above all else

To be my wife

My partner

My best friend

Until the end of my days.

With this ring, I thee wed.

And now, Lysa…place the ring on Jason’s finger and repeat after me:

Jason, As a sign of my love

That I have chosen you

Above all else

To be my husband

My partner

My best friend

Until the end of my days.

With this ring, I thee wed.

[Officiant]:

To make your relationship work will take love. Continue to date each other. Take time to show each other that your love and marriage grows stronger with time.

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 loyalty to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.

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

[The Declaration of Marriage / "The Kiss"]

[Officiant]:

And now by the power vested in me by the American Marriage Ministries and the state of Indiana, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. Jason, you may kiss your bride.

[Kiss]

Honored guests, it is my honor, and greatest pleasure to introduce, for the first time, Mr. Jason Malaise and Mrs. Lysa Clifford-Malaise.

[Procession begins]