[Joe Brummer]

My partner and I have been together for six years. We too believe that that Universe or god if you will say, brought us together. In the intro to our "wedding" this is what the preacher said, but we wrote it:

Any ritual that celebrates the love one person has for another is always significant and a time of great rejoicing. Joe and Rick have asked each of you to be here today because you are those whom they hold closest to their hearts. You are the people they have chosen to share this important milestone, because you touched their relationship in a special way. Not only are we witnesses to the deep and committed love that Joe and Rick have for each other, but we also to rejoice at their courage to live out who they are, and what they know to be true for them individually, and as a couple.

Joe and Rick believe the Universe is a Power that is much greater than we are and it guides us through our lives. The universe creates us, preserves us, and destroys us. It is deep and old beyond our ability to reach with our senses. It is beautiful beyond our ability to describe in words. It is complex beyond our ability to grasp in science. This overwhelming presence is everywhere inside us and outside us. They are talking about the way our senses and our emotions force us to respond to the overwhelming mystery and power that surrounds us. It sends to you exactly what you need and when you need it. If you listen to it, it will never guide you wrong. Joe and Rick truly believe that the Universe carefully orchestrated the events over the course of their lives, which brought them together and here with all of you, today.

The basis for Joe and Rick’s relationship is friendship – they share interests; the desire to work together; to work towards common goals and; to understand and share each other’s thoughts and dreams. They know they truly love one another. Together, they feel as if they can do almost anything. Burdens seem lighter because they divide them, joys more intense because they share them. Their love for each other has brought out the best in both of them.

However, the uniting of two people goes way beyond the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It’s not about being so totally absorbed in the other that each loses his sense of identity, but it means looking outward in the same direction, together.

This is an important day for Joe and Rick, as it symbolizes their union as two people who have freely chosen to be together. Although, they began to build their lives together more than five years ago, today they wish to take their love for each into another dimension.