Vows

Mary Ellen, in giving you this ring,
I acknowledge my love for you & invite you to share my life.
I take you, Mary Ellen this day as my wife.
I choose you to be my life partner for eternity.
I offer everything I am, everything I have
& everything I hope to be.
I take you to be no other than yourself.
I will honor your goals, dreams & help you to fullfill them.
From my heart, I will seek to be open & honest with you.
I do not pledge my love until death do us part.
I pledge it for all eternity because I believe that you
and I will be together always.
I pledge my love for you throughout this lifetime
and for all the unknown, unseen lifetime to come.
We have been together before
We are together now
and
We will be together always.

A ring is a circle, which has no beginning & has no end. It represents the undying love that exists between you. As you wear your rings throughout your lives, periodically notice that they are round & that will remind you the Love that is given.... Comes back around, again & again.
Rings are an ancient symbol, blessed & simple. Round like the sun that shines,
like the eyes that see, like the arms that embrace. May these symbols remind you
that your love, like the sun, shines; that your love, like the eyes, must see clearly;
that your love, like arms that embrace, is a grace upon the world.
Lord & Lady, Bless these rings which all of us here bless in your name.
May these rings be a symbol of true faith for Mary Ellen & Steve and always remind them of their love for one another.
Place this ring on Mary Ellen's finger & state your vows.

Mary Ellen, Do you take this man, Steve to be truthful of his vows & to be his lawful, wedded wife, to love him, honor him, respect, nuture & sustain him through times of darkness as well of light from this day forward & for all eternity? I respond " I DO"
Place this ring on Steve's finger & state your vow.

I said the same vow to Steve.
The minister ask Steve " Do you take this woman, Mary Ellen to be truthful of her vow & to be her lawful, wedded husband, to love her, honor her, respect, nuture & sustain her through times of darness as well as light from this day forward & for all eternity? Steve's Reply " I DO"
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Then we had the Handfasting, Wine Ceremony, Unity Candle then came the Blessing;Earlier I asked all of you here, as witnesses, to be actively present & to be conscious of your commitment to this couple during this ceremony. I now ask that your presence & support in their lives continue & therefore, bless this couple as I read the Apache Wedding Blessing.

The Apache Wedding Blessing

Now you will feel no rain; for each of you are shelters to the other.
Now you will feel no cold; for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there will be no loneliness; for each of you is companion to the other.
Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion and may
your days be good and long on the earth.