For our ceremony we selected two readings that we believe explained our love for one another and how we both view our marriage. We asked two very special people to read the selections for us and luckily they both agreed to do so! Here are the readings for everyone to, um, read!
Love
Read by Sandra Kemp
Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of its Love
Read by James Tonelli
I love you
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out;I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to findI love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple.Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good.
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.You have done it
By being yourself.
Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of its Love
Marriage is a commitment to life, to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal; a joining that is promised for a lifetime.
Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. There may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent for a child.
Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller; memories are fresher; commitment is stronger; even anger is felt more strongly and passes away more quickly.
Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing love through the seasons of life. When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.
Marriage is a promise, a potential, made in the hearts of two people who love, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Aunt Sandy and Jim – Thank you both very much for being part of Our 10.11.08! :heart:
Josh's Mom said,
November 19, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
It seems that these words were written just for the two of you……
Well…… I may steal “Love” as one of our favorites here, too.