Wedding 1 part 2...

So we get onto the bridge where there are people fishing. Jaime's mom informs them that we are having a wedding there... and they run. (Men, so silly) Me, Matt & Jaime go to one end of the bridge and everyone informally gathers around. I begin with a greeting and a prayer and then to the part I was most worried about: The Two Hands Reading. My voice cracked a bit but we all giggled together and just went with it. I love this reading, I remember being a young bride with all the hopes and dreams ahead of me, stars in your eyes. Yeah. Plus there's a part about letting go of your babies when they grow up... good thing Rhia wasn't at this first one. Here it is:

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.

These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family

These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Isn't that beautiful? There's a whole second half for the woman but I'll give you a moment to collect yourself. We all were enveloped in a cocoon of joy, it was very nice. Then I gave the guests a chance to give their own blessings to the couple. Jaime's mom was first, she had brought a family heirloom, the tree of life pendant that Jaime didn't know she was going to give her. She bestowed it upon her with a beautiful blessing which then stopped the wedding as the bride needed a few moments to pull herself back together, it was so touching. Needless to say, no one else wanted to follow.

Vows, Rings, Prayers and a special Rose & Vase Ceremony, it was really, really a great wedding. We cheered and hugged and all made our way joyfully back to the park and to the potluck party after.

Ready for the rest? Here's the women's part:

These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go

These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times

These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.

They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.

These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Yeah. Unfortunately, I guess the bride and groom must've gotten some questions about the whole baby thing so they elected to take it out of wedding part 2. And the rose/vase ceremony would have been redundant so...

will finish with part 2 soon...