Weddings, Renewals and Committments

Gretchen and Jim McErlean

Congratulations to Gretchen Renner and Jim McErlean, who were married On September 12, 2003 at sea, off West Sisters Rock in the Middle Florida Keys.

Several days of late afternoon thunder storms worried us that an evening ceremony aboard eau naturelle would be ill-advised. But, magically, the weather cleared, and the seas calmed, and we were able to realize Gretchen and Jim's dream of a very private and romantic ceremony at sea.

We wish them a very long, prosperous and happy love together.

Their Vows

We are invited together today on this beautiful evening in the Florida Keys to share one of life’s great moments: the joining of two of us in marriage. We are invited here to recognize the worth and beauty of love and commitment. We are invited here to witness and celebrate the joining of Gretchen M. Renner and Jim McErlean

Gretchen and Jim: You have each made a place for the other in your life. You must now work each day to ensure that that place remains always a safe place, a loving place, a place that remains welcoming even when the world around you is not.

To do this, you will have to laugh together every day. You will also have to share each other’s fears and sorrows, risks, triumphs and failures. You should be prepared to give each other a hand up when life offers a special challenge, and shout out a warning when danger is approaching.

You should share a quiet meal together every day and talk about what is to come and what has come to pass.

Show each other passion and kindness, love and desire, trust and respect. Trust in each other. Look to each other for companionship, understanding, perspective and guidance, because as you grow together, you will know each other better than anyone. Be friends together. Be lovers. Be partners. Be pals. Be family together. Work together. Never stop playing together. Be serious together when there are serious issues to be addressed.

Be one together, but as you are being one, never stop seeing that your partner is an individual, with special knacks and feelings and unique ideas. Because if you do this, you will keep the joy of wonder and surprise in your life, a fundamental element of the phenomenon called happiness, and the reason you are here together today.

You will have to be able to stop and really listen to each other. You will need to be positive and clear toward each other with your needs and feelings about each other and the events and people in your lives. This will help you share with each other the good things that will happen in your lives. And it will make you stronger and healthier and better able to confront bad times and hard decisions should they intrude.

Nancy will read the thoughts of Gretchen’s friend.

Jim, do you here and now proclaim your love and devotion for Gretchen? Do you promise to affirm her, to trust her, to respect her, and care for her during times of joy and hardship? Do you commit yourself to share your feelings of happiness and sadness? Do you pledge your faithfulness to her?

Gretchen, do you here and now proclaim your love and devotion for Jim? Do you promise to affirm him, to trust him, to respect him, and care for him during times of joy and hardship? Do you commit yourself to share your feelings of happiness and sadness? Do you pledge your faithfulness to him?

Rings

From our earliest times, the circle has been to us a universal symbol of completeness, of wholeness, of one. In marriage, it symbolizes a commitment to never ending companionship and love. It is our hope that whenever either of you looks at or touches or thinks about this symbol, you will be reminded of the commitment that you make to each other here today.

As a token of mutual fidelity and deep, abiding affection, your rings will now be given and received.

Vows

Jim

Gretchen: All of the experiences in my life have lead me to you. I’ve had relations in the past, some good, some bad. Nothing prepared me, though, for the depth of my feelings for you. I can’t imagine my life without you now. You are the very heart of my life. No other woman will ever match the passion you bring to me. I have never had a foundation like our live to build on before. All I don from now own will be because I want the best for you. I will love you and honor you always.

Gretchen

Jim: You are such an amazing man. You;ve made me feel so loved and special. You center and ground me with your gentle strength in a way that makes me feel so safe. I love your open mind, your hilarious humor, your unconditional love for all living things. I feel blessed and proud to be your wife, best friend, and mother of your children. I vow to be your partner for life, your family, your lover and your friend. I will try to make you as happy and loved as you have made me. I am blessed. I love you. I love you. I love you.

If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the costs. You will always believe in him, always expect the best in him, and will always stand your ground defending him.

You will always have a safe and loving place for him in your heart and in your life.

And now, by virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Florida, I am honored now to declare you to be husband and wife