I feel honored to be here officiating and many of you may wonder why- as I did when they first asked me. I am not a justice of the peace nor a person of the cloth, but a friend of both Jill and Lance. I first met Jill in June 97 - at the same party where I met my now "Husband equivalent" Oliver. Soon after, Lance entered the scene and the four of us quickly became close friends sharing many wonderful and hedonistic times, eating, hiking, traveling and skiing. The fact that Oliver is both British and an Engineer gives me unique insight into Jill and Lance's relationship. I can empathize with both of them. The major challenge for me has been trying to figure out how to pronounce Lance's name - which will become obvious during this ceremony. While, I thought I was being asked to officiate because of this close and unique friendship, but I recently discovered it is because I am one of their shortest friends and hence wouldn't block this spectacular view.
We are gathered here appropriately on the dawn of the new millennium to celebrate the beginning of marriage between two very special people Jill Riseborough and Robert Lance Pekala. On behalf of Jill and Lance I want to welcome all of you who have traveled from both far and near, to share in this joyful and momentous occasion.
Marriage is one of the most important obligations that two people may commit to in their lifetime. Marriage can offer some of life's greatest challenges, but in return, it gives us enduring love, strength, and support. The couple that demonstrates unrelenting patience and faith obtains the greatest happiness in marriage. The foundation of friendship between you, the mutual confidence, the delights of the heart and body, and the enchantment of the soul- these things do not perish. True love is a durable flame- in the mind ever burning, never sick, never old, never dead, and from itself never turning.
Jill and Lance will now share some readings that have special meaning to them.
Jill:
"To be together is or s……………we are precisely suited in character; perfect concord is the result."
Lance: …"May this day be the same day, the day of my life."
Vows:
Lance, Please repeat:
I, Lance, take you Jill to be my lawfully wedded wife,
Secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend,
My faithful partner in life, and my one true love.
On this special day, I affirm to you,
In the presence of our friends and family
My pledge to stay by your side as your husband in sickness and in health,
In joy and in sorrow,
As well as through prosperity and adversity.
I promise to love, honor and respect you without reservation
To comfort you in times of distress and to encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
To laugh and cry with you,
To Grow with you in mind and spirit, to always be open and honest with you and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live..
TO BRIDE
Jill, repeat after me:
I Jill, take you Lance, to be my lawfully wedded husband,
Secure in the knowledge that you will be my constant friend,
My faithful partner in life, and my one true love.
On this special day, I affirm to you,
In the presence of our friends and family
My pledge to stay by your side as your wife in sickness and in health,
In joy and in sorrow,
As well as through prosperity and adversity.
I promise to love, honor and respect you without reservation,
To comfort you in times of distress and to encourage you to achieve all of your goals.
To laugh and cry with you,
To Grow with you in mind and spirit,
To always be open and honest with you and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
RINGS:
Rings have many meanings. Rings are gifts, they are symbols, and they serve as reminders of the vows and commitments made on this wedding day. Their circular form can represent the continuity of past and future as well as endless love Since I am a physician in my other life, I am intrigued that in many cultures it was believed that a vein ran from the chosen finger directly to the heart. In the English and Catholics traditions it is the third finger of the right hand, and in the Jewish tradition the right index finger. It is now most customary to follow the Ancient Romans who believed that the vein in the third finger of the left hand finger extends directly to the heart . May these rings that you are about to exchange be a token of your union, and a symbol of your devotion and faithfulness to each other.
Lance, take Jill's Hand
I, Lance, give to you Jill, this ring as a symbol of my love and the vows I have spoken.
Jill, take lance's left hand
I, Jill, give you Lance this ring as a symbol of my love and the vows I have spoken.
Since Jill and lance have pledged their love and commitment to each other , By the power vested in me by the State of California as a deputy Commissioner of Civil Marriage, witnessed by your friends and family, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
May the challenges of your life together be met with courage and optimism. May you learn from you success and failures, and grow in you achievements. May you enjoy friends and family in a wide network of mutual support and enjoyment? May you face pain, toil and trouble with strength. May you share with others the radiance of your joy and pleasure Most importantly, may you always remember that laughter is the medicine of the gods.
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other
Now you will feel no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place, to enter the days of your life together.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Now ladies and gentlemen I have the pleasure of presenting to you Lance and Jill as Husband and Wife.