I Believe in You

I Do

Rachel Hale, our officiant, stood in front of us smiling.
Conrad and I stood facing each other with our hands clasped together.
"We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, and to cherish the words which shall unite Meghan and Conrad in marriage." She began our ceremony.
"Marriage is the promise between two people who love each other, and who trust in that love, who honor each other, and choose to spend the rest of their lives together.
"This ceremony will not create a relationship that does not already exist between you. It is a symbol of how far you have come these past few years. It is a symbol of the promises you will make to each other to continue growing stronger as individuals and as partners. No matter what challenges you face, you now face them together. No matter how much you succeed, you now succeed together. The love between you joins you now as one." I smiled at my groom as we listened to her speak.
"Feel each other's hands in your own. These are the hands of your best friend that are holding yours as you promise to love each other all the days of your life. These are the hands that will work together as you build your future and make your dreams reality. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness and trials, and share the joy and happiness of life together. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you all through the years. May you always hold each other and give strength to each other to hold on during the storms and stresses of life.
"Meghan, look right at Conrad and present him your vows."
I looked into Conrad's eyes.

"Conrad Alexander Hawkins; You are my dream come true, you are my world, you are the joy in my heart, the laughter in my voice, and the smile on my face. We compliment each other so beautifully and together we can face anything, we can be comforted in knowing that we will never have to face it alone.

"The first time you kissed me I knew that we shared something special, and it wasn't long after that I fell in love with you and realized that you are the one that I was meant to spend my life with, I could see it in your eyes. I could feel it in my heart. You are the most incredible man I have ever known, and you make me feel amazing every single day, I am so excited, and completely elated to be standing here with you today. You are the love of my life, my best friend, my soulmate, my everything, and I promise to you...

"That I will love you always, with my whole heart. I promise that I will always be there for you, in good times and bad, may we always laugh together like we do now, and may the stormy days we encounter and the trials we face only ever make us stronger.

"I promise to celebrate with you, to encourage you, to always believe in you and to always be proud of the man you are, and who you are to me

"I promise to comfort, support and defend you if life ever brings you sorrow.

"I promise to be forever faithful to you, heart, body, mind and soul

"I promise to never ask more of you than what you can give

"I promise that from this day forward I will always love, honour and respect you, I will always stand by your side, there is nothing I won't do for you, all of my life, I will live for you.

"I promise to always listen to the words you speak, and listen even harder for the ones that you don't

"I promise to bring joy, strength and smiles into your life

"I promise to always be your partner, your best friend and your number one fan.

"May the bond that we make today, never be broken, and may it only grow stronger for the rest of our lives, may we never forget how we felt the first time we stared into each others eyes, the first time we said I love you and how we feel standing here today, because our love is exactly that, Ours, and you and I, and only you and I have the ability to nourish it and make it strong, and make it grow. It is our strength that binds us and our love that will carry us through, all the days of our lives.
"You are where my heart is, and the reason that I believe in love, I promise to always give all that I have and all that I am, for all of the days of my life, this is my solemn vow to you."

Conrad smiled back at me as I spoke rogue tears falling from his eyes.
"Conrad, look right at Meghan and present her your vows." Rachel Hale said.
"Meghan Dawn Bishop; five years ago I could never have imagined I would be in this place. A place where I look into the eyes of my best friend and pledge to you my love. You are the sweetest, most loving, caring, and kind person I have ever known, and I have no doubt that you will make me a better man. You believe in me and have shown me unconditional acceptance and every day you reaffirm that you are my soulmate. Together we are an unbreakable pair, bound by our love. I'm not sure a lifetime is long enough for me to return all that you have given me but I promise to spend my days by your side. To inspire you, laugh with you, cherish you, confirm you, share your dreams and grow with you. I believe in what we are and I will always love you with every beat of my heart." He vowed as my tears overflowed.
"For thousands of years, lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that love has a past, a present, and a future through you and within you. The promise which you have spoken to each other today are forever in your minds and hearts, but words are fleeting and so those who marry wear rings as visible, tangible symbols of their love and commitment. These rings announce to the world that you have recognized in each other your soul's mate. That you have entwined together to become one and that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
"Conrad, take Meghan's ring, place it on her finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you and as a reminder that I will always love you. To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days." Rachel continued.
"I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you and as a reminder that I will always love you. To be my lover, my partner, and my best friend, to the end of my days." Conrad slid a thin silver and diamond crusted wedding band on my left ring finger.
"Meghan, take Conrad's ring, place it on his finger and repeat after me: I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you and as a reminder that I will always love you. To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days." Rachel said looking at me.
"I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you and as a reminder that I will always love you. To be my lover, my partner and my best friend, to the end of my days." I slid his matching wedding band on his finger.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Georgia I now pronounce you husband and wife. Conrad, you may kiss your bride."
Conrad stepped forward and took my face in his hands kissing my lips as i wrapped my arms around him as our guests applauded.
After our kiss broke Rachel spoke again.
"Ladies and gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Conrad and Meghan Hawkins."