Officiating wedding ceremonies is an enjoyable experience for me and hopefully, for the couples that have hired me. This week I have been invited to perform a special service in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. I have never been there and the prospect is quite exciting. I will be staying with the other guests in a large villa on the secluded side of the island – they’ve hired a chef – oh please … pinch me : )
As I draft the words for the couple, what they will say, what I will say, I gain a deeper understanding that the ritual of marriage is one of the joyous moments in life’s journey. I have discovered that serving as officiate adds zest to my life as well as reminding me the importance of love. Most of us know this – love is all there is (Beatles) - but troubles and challenges often absorb our energy – our focus becomes blurred. We forget.
What I have witnessed at the moment of union when the betrothed gaze into the eyes of their beloved, join hands and repeat their vow is a spiritual beauty, an aura, or a presence, if you will, that embraces all of us in attendance with love. This emotion can be felt; there is a momentary hush among the onlookers as the man extends his heart to protect and honor the woman before him. She knows that she is his girlfriend and more…she is cherished.
In my last post, I quoted a scene from the movie: P.S. I love You. I am going to use that movie dialogue again. The main character Holly is strolling along the water’s edge with Daniel when a senior couple stops near them to also enjoy the view. Holly and Daniel are eating and laughing when Holly makes an observation about the older couple.
Holly: That’s a real honest to goodness couple right there. They’ve probably been together since the flood.
Daniel: We’re so arrogant, aren’t we? So afraid of age, we do everything we can to prevent it. We don’t realize what a privilege it is to grow old with someone. Someone who doesn’t drive you to commit murder or doesn’t humiliate you beyond repair.
Ahhhh...call me a romantic…I don’t care. In a world where many folks are not making commitments, selfishly worried about what they may give up or what they need to get; I feel honored that there are men and women who cherish each other enough to take this important step and, this is the fun part, ask me to oversee this promise. All of us who witness such vows have a duty to support and encourage the couple. It is a privilege.
