Groom: Eric Forrester
Bride: Stephanie Douglas Forrester
Bestman: Thorne Forrester
Maid of honor: Macy Alexander Forrester
Other guests: Amber, Rick, Taylor and Ridge Forrester
Location: Stephanie´s hospital room
Date: October 28, 1999
Minister:
We are gathered here today to witness and bless the union of Eric and Stephanie. On this occasion we are both solemn, as we reflect on the seriousness of their commitment to one another, and joyous, as we celebrate the love they have found together. And no one knows more than these two wonderful people what it means to find love. For they have found it not once, but twice in their lifetime. We celebrate their rediscovery of one another.
And while there might be a tendency to look back in regret on the years that Stephanie and Eric were apart, it is far more accurate to see that time in the context of a tempering, a preparation for a greater love that is yet to come. We begin that "greater love" on this day. And who among us does not believe that this is a love that will last until the end of Eric and Stephanie's days?
The Lord says no greater love hath a man than that who will lay down his life for a friend. There is no doubt in my mind that these two people would willingly - without hesitation - lay down his or her life for the other. And so, on this day, we rejoice in that love. All of us here are related to Eric and Stephanie through family, marriage, or friendship. They would want each and every one of us to learn some of the lessons they've learned on their journey. That it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that truly matters. That it's not the tragedies that we encounter - for we all will encounter many in life - but how we respond to those tragedies. That heroes are those who do what has to be done when it needs to be done regardless of the consequences. And finally that we should always leave our loved ones with loving words for it may be the last time we see them.
Stephanie and Eric have learned all this and more on their path back to one another. They pray, as I do, that all of us value from those lessons.
Eric, you have chosen Stephanie to be your wife. Will you live with her, cherish her, protect her? Will you invite her into your heart in times of joy and in times sorrow? Will you include her in all the important decisions of your life - as someone who is no longer separate from you, but a part of your strength, your success, your life? Will you always be true to Stephanie?
Eric:
I will.
Minister:
Stephanie, you have chosen Eric to be your husband. Will you live with him, cherish him, protect him? Will you invite him into your heart in times of joy and in times sorrow? Will you include him in all the important decisions of your life as someone who is no longer separate from you, but a part of your strength, your success, your life? Will you always be true to Eric?
Stephanie:
I will.
Minister:
Will you now vow your love to each other?
Eric:
Version 1:
Today I vow love to you, Stephanie. I give you all that I am, all that I have, all that I will ever become. It's yours - as you have given so much of yourself to me and our children. The struggles, the hardships we'll face together - I meet them with strength, with confidence in our success from this day forward. I promise to stand by your side, to help you, to commit my life to your happiness, your recovery - not because it's my duty, Stephanie, but because it's my joy. For a life with you, regardless of the challenges God puts before us, is infinitely more rewarding than any life I could spend without you. I look forward to our days ahead. I look forward to every moment we're blessed with. I will never want for more than you. I consider it a great miracle that I've been given this second chance. I will love you with all my heart and I will be true to you for the rest of my life.
Version 2:
Today I vow my love to you. I give you everything that I am, everything I’ve ever been, everything I ever shall be. And I promise you before God and in front of this wonderful family that you and I made together to stand by you and help you and commit my life to your happiness and to your recovery. And I don’t do this out of a sense of duty. I do this out of a sense of joy because any life that I could have without you regardless of how many challenges God may place in our way will be infinitely more valuable to me than any life I could have without you. I look forward to every year we have together and I will cherish every moment I spend with you. And I consider it a great, great blessing that you have agreed to give me a second chance. I love you. I love you with all my heart and I will be true to you for the rest of my life.
Stephanie:
Version 1:
Eric, I fell in love many years ago. I stayed in love all my life. And the man I gave my heart to I knew would be with me until I died. Yes, we've both made mistakes; I as much as you. But somewhere inside me I always believed that one day we'd share a moment like this. I had faith in you, Eric. It never faltered. Through hard times, even through our darkest hours, I believed in us. Not because I'm special or strong but because of you - a man I knew I could count on and a life I knew meant so much to both of us. But for you to accept me in the condition I am today, for you to tell me and more amazingly, convince me, that I can still bring so much to your life, for you to want me as I lie here, half the person I was just weeks ago makes me see that the love I always had for you is a small fraction of what I feel now. I vow to make you happy, Eric - to do whatever I have to to keep your days rich and you nights fulfilled. I thank you for making me what I am, for giving me feelings of worth, of value during this, the darkest time of my life. I will be true to you always, Eric. No matter what the future holds for us, your joy will be my reward.
Version 2:
Across a crowded room, at first sight I fell in love with you. You’re the man I gave my heart to, the man I knew I’d spend my life with until I died. You’re the one. We both made mistakes but somehow I knew we’d come back to this moment again. Through hard times and good times I believed in us. Because of you I knew wherever I were I could always count on you. And now you tell me I could still bring something to your life, you want me even though I’m half the person I was a few weeks ago. That tells me that the love I gave you was never misplaced. Thank you for making me what I am, for giving me a sense of value and worthy in this moment when it’s the darkest moment of my life. I love you. No matter what the future holds you’re the one, you’re the one. Your love will be my reward.
Minister:
Eric and Stephanie, you have pledged yourselves to each other. May your lives be an example to all of us - not only of the power of love, but of the joy of facing life together. You have, by your promises, pronounced yourself husband and wife. Let us now celebrate this sacred and marvellous event. Eric, you may kiss your bride.
Eric:
With great pleasure.