A Wedding Reading

Yesterday, I read the below at the wedding of beloved friends Amanda and Trey. I got many compliments, so I’m sharing it here in case anyone else wants to use it. The first portion is a modified version of Mari Evans’ “Celebration”, where I replaced “I” and “you” (etc) with “he” and “she” (admittedly this only works well when they have different and “singlular” pronouns). I hope that Mari will not be upset that I am publishing the modified version here. The second portion is a blessing, written by me, and I would be honored if you used it.

~

She has brought a whole person
and he has brought a whole person
and they will have twice as much
of love and everything

She is bringing a whole heart
and while it does have nicks and dents and scars,
that only makes her lay it down
more carefully
And he is bringing a whole heart
a little chipped and rusty and
sometimes it skips a beat but - still, he’s bringing polish too
and looks like he intends to make it shine

And they are bringing, each of them
the music of themselves to wrap
each other in

Forgiving clarities
Soft as a choir’s last
lingering note their
personal blend

She has brought him someone whole
and he has brought her someone whole
and they are twice as strong
and they are twice as true
and they will have twice as much
of love
and everything

~

May these two souls
Melt into a flowing river of love
And share in the secrets of the heart,
Experiencing all the happy quietness,
Stubborn tenderness,
And fierce wholeness,
The universe has to offer.

And may the vow of this day keep itself
In ways that surprise and delight them.
May it grow strong, and full, and true,
Bear fruit, and offer shelter,
And be a sign to all - of all that is good.
May it be a vast blessing, unfolding
For the rest of their days.