"Should there be anyone here who has just cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. "
He addressed both of us, "Billy and Sherri, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our families, or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and this is the shared goal of a married life.
"Billy and Sherri have a few things they want to say to each other before they make their vows.
Billy turned to face me - "Sherri, I loved you the first night when we met at the Hub. Until you came into my life, I felt empty and unfulfilled. If anyone had even told me last week that I would be standing here marrying you, I would not have believed them. But here I am, Sherri, pledging my love to you."
It was my turn, "Billy, I knew I loved you that day that you came to Eaton's when I was signing my album. Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I had ever done, but it took me a long time to realize that we belonged together. I still can't believe that this really happening, but I know that I love you with all my heart and nothing will ever come between us again."
Paul turned to Billy, and addressed him, "Billy, will you take Sherri as your lawful wedded wife?"
Billy looked into my eyes and said , "I do."
Paul continued, "Do you promise to love, honour, cherish, and protect her, in sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, forsaking all others, until death do you part?"
"I do."
Paul turned to me, "Sherri, will you take Billy as your lawful wedded husband?"
"Do you promise to love,honour, cherish and protect him, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, forsaking all others,until death do you part?"
"I do."
Paul continued, "Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman i marriage. The rings please. " He turned to Billy and told Billy to say, while he slipped the ring on my finger, "I, Billy, take thee Sherri, to be my wife - to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, until death do us part. He then had me do the same thing. Paul then addressed the both us , "Billy and Sherri, as the two of you come into this marriage. uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day, affirm your faith and love for each other, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals. Remember to respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of each other. Be able to fogive. Please do not hold grudges. Live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward, you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge. May your marriage be strengthened by your love and respect for each other. A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments. But it is also a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians. I believe it is a true model of love and it is a model of love I hope you will pursue in your marriage:
"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them."
Paul then said, "Let us pray: Dear Lord, our hearts are filled with glad happiness on Billy and Sherri's wedding day,as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of and pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be eath other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony. where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray, and walk beside Billy and Sherri throughout all their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen."
He then turned to us and addressed us," Billy and Sherri, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare that you be Husband and Wife. Whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder." He then tured to the rest of the people. "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious onto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto you and give you peace." He turned to Billy for the last time." Congratulations, Billy, you may kiss your bride." He turned to everybody for the last time also, "Everybody, it is in deed my pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. Billy Duke." There was not a dry eye in the house as Billy leaned over and kissed me on the lips. The day that I had only dreamed of during those months we were apart had come true. Everyone stepped forward and one by one hugged and kissed us and congratulated us.
