Top 20 Moments of my 20′s: #7

I remember the first wedding I officiated.  It was nerve-racking.  To be perfectly honest, as honored as I was to be asked to perform the ceremony, I just wanted to get through it & get to the reception…the food at that wedding was AWESOME!

Over the years I came to recognize the significance of the wedding ceremony, and in turn my approach to it was changed.  Now, I tell people all the time I enjoy weddings more than preaching on Sunday morning.

That brings me to the #7 moment on my countdown. It’s more of a collection of moments really – a collection of moments called, “The Summer of Love”

This past summer I was asked to officiate 3 weddings.  It was great!  I am close to all three couples, and it was such a blessing to stand with them as they made their covenant with one another.

Bunch wedding – Vickie, the bride, has been a part of our lives for years now.  I am pretty sure she asked me to do her wedding before she ever met Jason.  I had the privilege of not only being a part of the ceremony, but really having a front row seat to this couple coming together.

Donahoe wedding – It was an honor to not only perform the ceremony, but to share the duties with a pastor that has done so much in Greensboro (and in Jen’s life specifically).  I got teared up in this one.

Astuto wedding – Ok.  Here is why the Astuto’s are awesome.  They let me, the pastor, take the picture of their first kiss!  Seriously, I have the best seat in the house for it anyway…and man, it’s much cooler having the background of the first kiss be the friends/family watching on (rather than just me…so awkward).  I think you can find the pic on Mike/Karen’s facebook pages if you know them.

A big thank you goes out to the Jason/Vickie, Joe/Jenn, & Mike/Karen for inviting me to share that moment.

* Several people asked me after the Astuto wedding have asked me for the exchange of rings speech.  Here it is…

“I, Mike, take you Karen to be my wife, my helpmate as I pursue God in this life.  Today I make this covenant with you:  Every day I will seek to lay down my life for you.  I will always place your needs above my needs.  It will be my ministry in life, from this day forward, to guide you to a closer relationship with God.  I promise you this: when the world sees the way I love you – they will see the way Jesus loves them.”

“I, Karen, take you Mike to be my husband, my guide as we pursue God together in this life.  Today I make this covenant with you:  I will respond to your love with love.  I will be your faithful wife, trusting you as a man after God’s own heart.  Today I promise you this:  I will follow you as you seek God’s will for our family.”