Friends, this weekend I had the privilege of presiding over the wedding of one of my best friends and her now husband. I have to admit, I was intimidated by the task of joining two people I love so much together for the rest of their lives - but I did my best! Here's what I said on that beautiful evening in New Orleans:
Katie and Mike, today is one of the most memorable days of your life. Someday your children will want to hear about it. They’ll ask you questions and pour over pictures. They’ll want to know if the weather was fair, what color the flowers were, and how young you both looked on the day you created your family. They’ll want to know because in some small way they will feel like they were here, like they were a part of today’s celebrations.
And in a way they are. Your children, your grandchildren, the friends you have yet to meet, the places you will travel to, the songs you will hum together – all of it is somehow a part of today.
Because a wedding is a celebration of the future. It doesn’t gaze upon what is so much as it raises our eyes out towards what is to be. It’s an unapologetic announcement of hope - bringing the brilliance of your future into focus.
That’s why we’re here. We’re here because you both hope and believe in the promise of your future together. And we all have joined you because we share that hope and belief.
You will make vows today that when fulfilled, will keep this marriage – this family – together, in good times and in bad. Nurture that. Cling to it. Remember your vows.
But also remember today. Remember all of today. Remember, when your children ask you, remember if the weather was fair, what color the flowers were, and how young and beautiful you both look.
Remember these forever, because they will remind you of your love and your hope. The palpable hope that we all feel right now for this family you are creating before us. Keep that hope for the future alive – and you will find the blessings of life and love in abundance for all the days of your lives.
May it be so.
So beautiful! I love these words and the hope they express.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! The couple was lucky to have you officiate and as a friend!
ReplyDeleteIt is very special to have a dear friend's wedding be one's first to officiate! (My first was for someone who'd been my friend for 30 years.) Congratulations to you on officiating your first wedding.
ReplyDelete