Thank all of you for coming today.

[Pause, settle]

Every one of you knows, of course, the reason for our
gathering. There's going to be a wedding, in case you didn't.  

A marriage starts with vows and is held together with the daily patter
of words. 

We need to express ourselves. 

We strive to make our thoughts and feelings known and our speech is
ornate with symbolism. 

We dig into the rich soil of imagery and lift out figures of speech- a
heart on fire, bound together, links in a chain, the wounded deer, the
songs of angels, the dream within a dream.

We speak in similes- my love's like a red, red rose- and in metaphors-
you are my working week and sunday rest and, memorably, the immortal
words of Barry White: You are my first, my last, my everything.

[short pause]

We must be heard but sometimes we're not well understood. 

We find ourselves at a loss for words. They don't come out right. We
can't say what we mean or don't mean what we say.

Our symbols can be just as uncertain.

Take a ring. What could be more simple? A powerful symbol: union. A
circle, perfect and unbroken, but isn't it true that the circle
defines not just that area it enscribes but also that which it
excludes?

There are limits to language. Acts, as we all know, speak much louder
and more eloquently than any uttered words.

[Addressing bride and groom]

But here, in front of all of you- mothers, fathers, brothers and
sisters, family and so many friends- I ask you to speak so simply that
there can be no misunderstanding; to act that your intentions will
forever be clear.

[to Russ]

Russell, look at Karen. 
Take her hand. 
Repeat after me, "I love you like I love no other."
Put the ring on her finger.
Repeat after me, "I want you as my wife, forever."


[to Karen]

Karen, look at Russell.
Take his hand.
Repeat after me, "I love you like I love no other."
Put the ring on his finger.
Repeat after me, "I want you as my husband, forever."

[to both]

There is nothing I or anyone else can say that equals what was said by
yourselves in thought, in word and in deed today.

You are and always shall be husband and wife.

Kiss.