Wedding Days

My good friends are getting married in a matter of days and they asked me to officiate. I'm greatly honored, but at the same time incredibly worried. Other than being amazing friends of mine, they partially asked me, I believe, because they heard my wedding vows.

Not to pat myself on the back too hard, but I am very proud of those vows. I wrote them from a place I very seldom reach into and shared those sentiments in a room full of people. Writing their ceremony has been difficult.

Work has killed a large part of my optimism. The fact that my associate can not only say the things he says but be rewarded by the partners for them is unthinkable. The quote today was "Every group of pretty girls has one dull one. But I can put up with it for a night". Just... grotesque.

But after many months I think I've created a passable ceremony for them:

Thank you all for being here today. We are here today to celebrate Rochelle and Harrison.

You fell in love by chance, but you’re here today making a choice. And that choice is each other. You’ve chosen someone who makes you smile, who challenges you, who makes you a better person, and makes every day just that much better.

I remember when Rochelle first told me about Harrison. She stated that she “met some dude” at a conference. He seemed really cool, but they were just hanging out. I think we can all agree it’s progressed far past that. And we couldn’t be happier.

Harrison you’re the Ron to Rochelle’s Hermione, the Westley to her Buttercup, and the Doug to her Patty Mayonnaise. But in my eyes and I’m sure many others here, you put all those couples to shame. Because so very seldom have I seen a couple that loves each other as deeply and completely as the two of you.

If there’s one thing we all know about Rochelle it’s just how much of a strong, accomplished woman she is. She loves fiercely and she’s willing to protect those she loves with everything that she is. Harrison is equally successful, smart, and pretty darn cute. But what makes their relationship so perfect is their support of each other. Harrison is never intimidated or belittling or Rochelle’s success. To the contrary I think we’ve all heard him praise Rochelle more than once. Rochelle in turn never let’s us forget how justifiably proud she is of Harrison, although not always to his face. It’s this strong support, almost unconscious support of each other that make Rochelle and Harrison more than merely a couple. They’re partners.

Love is a sentiment that’s so profoundly felt that it’s describable in almost too many ways. It could be described by sharing your bed with many tiny dogs. Or throwing amazing surprise parties. Or moving across the country to share a life with someone.

Despite all the differences that we have, love is something we share. It’s powerful and frightening at times. It leaves you vulnerable. But it’s something we all seek.  It’s one of a few universal truths that shows that life is worth giving a damn about. It’s the capacity to forgive, a common search for the good and beautiful, and finding the right partner.  

All of us have our own stories, some are crazy, some are funny, and some are yet to be written. I have a feeling that Rochelle and Harrison’s will be long, full of laughter and drink, and of course many many tiny dogs.