Her Vows
Doug, One year ago, we met at this place.
A place I had been countless times with friends and sometimes with secret hopes that perhaps, just perhaps, I might run into that special guy that would become my happily ever after.
Little did I know when we met, ate, laughed, chatted, and exchanged glances at each other that night, it would be you.
We went to watch the holiday lights and the sparkle in your eye was so bright that I knew it was the start of something good.
There are some women who imagine their wedding day.
They imagine a man who possesses a laundry list of qualities…kind, intelligent, funny, affectionate, gregarious, and on.
They imagine a certain type of dress, hairdo, flowers, setting, food, and on.
They imagine a picture-perfect moment that will forever be the symbol of their relationship and happiness.
For as long as I can remember, I have not imagined a wedding day filled with items as if selected from a menu.
What I imagined was a feeling that I could never fully describe.
A feeling of utter joy, comfort, peace, safety.
A feeling that I was in the midst of something greater than myself and that holding my hand through it would be a man who, in his infinite wisdom, knew what it took to make me feel this way. He would have the patience to understand me and the fortitude to chase life with me.
He would find humor every day and in the every day.
He would have empathy, compassion, and gratitude.
He would have a light in his eye that could set the world afire.
It seems I can describe this feeling much easier now, because this feeling is you.
You bring me so much joy, comfort, peace, and keep me safe.
You are my true north, my way home.
You are the place where I can be myself.
You challenge me and with you I know that together we can grow. (Though I don’t know about grow up)
Because of you my days are filled with laughter.
Because of you I have discovered Kung Fu movies.
Because of you, I can stop and smell the roses.
Because of you I have all this love to return.
So with that said, I make these promises to you.
I promise to love you with honesty, honor, respect, understanding, and all of my heart.
I promise to love you in the dark times and in the light.
I promise to love you in your most imperfect moments as well as in your greatest triumphs.
I promise to love you for all the days of my life, forever, and a day
His Vows
Jules, I knew that coming back here was the right choice – at first, because I’ve always felt this was my home.
I did not realize that, from the moment we met, one year ago tonight, my life would completely change.
Everyone has a moment when they decide to live apart or to join their life to another.
When the choice is easy, like ours, there is no doubt or confusion. The heart knows what is right.
I take you to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love, from this day forward.
I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy, as well as in sorrow.
I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Ceremonial Vows
It is the wish of everyone here today that your marriage bring each of you much happiness.
Happiness in marriage doesn’t just happen though.
You must work on it.
Remember to say “I love you”, hold hands whenever you get the chance, and at no time take the other for granted.
We are witnesses to the union of two individuals who choose to commit to a life together.
Our responsibility as their friends and witnesses is to provide them as a couple with our love, support and approval.
For the beauty around us, the strength it offers and the peace it brings, we are grateful and honored to be a part of the life you have chosen to live as husband and wife from this day forward.
Douglas Shane Roberson, will you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live?
(I do)
Julie Beth Winer, will you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love him, comfort him, honor him and keep him, forsaking all others for as long as you both shall live?
(I do)
Repeat after me:
I, (Douglas Shane Roberson), take you, (Julie Beth Winer), to be my wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
With this ring, I thee wed.
I, (Julie Beth Winer), take you, (Douglas Shane Roberson), to be my husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.
With this ring, I thee wed.
Let these rings be given as a symbol of your love and commitment to one another.
And just as these circles are without end, let your love be eternal.
With the power invested from the State of Florida, I now pronounce you, husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride.
It is my honor to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Roberson