Michael V.

"Welcome to all of those who hear these words… Welcome. For if you are here,… you know that today is a day that brings together, two bodies of one soul. If you are here, you are here because of the bond of love, the gossamer thread that is held for you by Our bride, Tanya and our Groom, Jason.

Today, here, near the ancient glacial waters. Do we witness, once again, natures return to balance… through the union of Jason and Tanya.

I asked Tanya and Jason to bring to words what they believe their marriage will bring forth to the world... I humbly give you their response...

“That answer is LOVE. We are giving the gift of LOVE to each other and to the world... The LOVE that we have for one another has changed us, and the way that we view the world, and the way that we act within the world... Everything we do now is done with, LOVE. “

And with that love, our bride and groom have come to understand that Marriage is the ultimate choice of truly making a commitment to another being... Not many of the people walking on this planet even comprehend the level of commitment I speak of... To truly commit yourself to one person, so completely, as to never leak energy to another person that is not your spouse... To always keep your mind clear, and your direction in focus, of a single unified path... of two beings becoming greater as a couple than they ever could individually.

Tanya and Jason turn towards each other

Jason, do you now choose Tanya, to be your Wife,
To share your life openly with her...
To speak truthfully and lovingly to her...
To accept her fully as she is... and delight in who she is becoming...
To respect her uniqueness...
Encourage her fulfillment...
And compassionately support her... through all the changes of your lives together?

Tanya, do you now choose Jason, to be your Husband,
To share your life openly with him...
To speak truthfully and lovingly to him...
To accept him fully as he is... and delight in who he is becoming...
To respect his uniqueness...
Encourage his fulfillment...
And compassionately support him... through all the changes of your lives together?

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A great marriage must be created. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right being, it is being the right being.

As before, with Tanya’s and Jason’s, verbal, and energetic commitment… We now complete the circle, with a physical representation of their vow to one another.

Jason please take Tanya's left hand and repeat after me....
Because this ring is perfectly symmetrical,
it signifies the perfection of true love.
As I place it on your finger…
I give you all that I am and ever hope to be.

Tanya please take Jason's left hand and repeat after me....
Because this ring has no end or beginning,
it signifies the continuation of true love.
As I place it on your finger…
I give you all that I am, and ever hope to be.

Tanya, Jason…You have both joined voluntarily in this sacred ceremony of marriage, and have been formally united as husband and wife in the presence of your family and friends and under the witness of the ancients of the world, your relations... and the state of Oregon……

As you have declared openly your clear intentions to be considered before all the world as a married couple, expressing the gift of love, in all that you do... and have exchanged rings and vows attesting thereto, it is my pleasure and honor to pronounce you husband and wife. Jason…. you may, please, kiss the bride.

Tanya,… Jason... The world is yours, This day is yours, Please join your Family and Friends in Celebration of Life and Love."

Li Bai

'He gave up fame and fortune in his youth
for the high office of mountain pine and cloud.
He toasted the moon for its beauty
and paid his tax and tribute to the flowers.
Who among us can attain such nobility?
We only breathe its fragrance as we pass.'

Rilke

"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems."

Tao

"The more I learn; the less I know"

Another Wilde

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

Woolf

“No one sees anyone as they actually are…they see all sorts of things…they seem themselves.”