#2 read – Union by Robert Fulghum
"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.
The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”
Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.
For after today you shall say to the world – This is my husband. This is my wife"
There were a few shaky moments when #2 stood up to read. This was the first time that she had managed to read the passage without crying.
She had practised in front of her partner and in despair wailed that she couldn’t stop crying his response was “man up and strap on a pair”! Love it!
She had practised in front of her partner and in despair wailed that she couldn’t stop crying his response was “man up and strap on a pair”! Love it!
We had that reading too. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love that passage. It is just so spot on!
ReplyDeleteAnd I kind of want to high-5 #2's partner; I probably would've said the same thing (after hugging #2 first).
I love this, it's in my top 3 readings but sadly we only need two!
ReplyDeleteThis was our first reading!
ReplyDeleteAww, so lovely :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like it's meant to be - my wedding aim today was to find a reading.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I saw on my google reader this morning was this...and I love it. Sent it to my man, who also loves it. Just sent it to the vicar to see if he also loves it, and if so, it's a goer.
This was like the easiest wedding planning moment ever!
Thanks!
We used this one too! I found it from A Los Angeles Love's blog :)
ReplyDeleteI so want to use this now! Tis wonderful.
ReplyDeletehe he he. i can see that it must have been hard to read without crying! you picked such lovely readings
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely reading; would be in my list if we had found it before the wedding! Instead we had a bible reading from my mum then grahams uncle read 'this day i married my best friend'.
ReplyDeleteSo so love this reading
ReplyDelete