I never expected to have said this then be saying goodbye so soon. I love you Momma! My heart is with everyone who loved Eddie, as he leaves a big of a hole as he filled.
The Marriage of Mr. Eddie Cohee to Mr. Robert Richardson
July 1, 2017
Welcome friends and family not just to the house, but to the home of Eddie and Bear.
We are here to witness your commitment to one another and to celebrate your love and friendship.
Please bow your heads in prayer:
God grant this couple the serenity
To accept the things they cannot change;
Courage to change the things they can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as we would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If we surrender to His Will;
So that we may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen.
Eddie, Bear-
The universe moved a great many puzzle pieces to bring you together by chance, Your hearts allowed you to fall in love through cautions courage, Now, you are here to wed by choice. And it is by choice that you are here, under the eyes of God, your friends, family and with each other to show that your love runs as deep as the trouble you will be in if you dishonor the vows set forth today.
We are also here by choice, to surround you both with the warmth of our love. Do you feel the warmth, because Lord I do! It’s getting hot in here!!!! And to witness the union of two friends, lovers, partners for an eternity of happiness and love.
Lori Christiansen will now read from the Song of Songs.
Bear: you have survived a life threatening accident, but God clearly wanted you and Eddie to be together- and here you are. You left your family and friends in New Jersey to come to little old Milford, Delaware to build a life with this man, who based on all of this, must be your soul mate.
Eddie: I remember when you first met Bear and you told me you had met the most handsome man you had ever seen. That he took your breath away. And now he will be your husband! As he should be.
I met you 30 years ago. Oh! You were sunshine and happiness, glitter and fringe, and shone a follies pink spotlight on the heart of everyone you met. You set aside your own pain to comfort others; when your own heart is hurting you crack a joke so those around you will smile. You sing even on the darkest days, and move us to tears because we know we are hearing the voice of God flow through you.
I overheard you alone in the chapel at your mother’s funeral, standing next to her casket, saying, “Well mother, I hope I did you right and I hope I made you proud. I love you.” I know, she is looking down right now, so proud. You did her right and anyone who knows you believes in angels, because they know you are an angel on this earth.
Now to the vows. Your vows are not promises, they are privileges, so please, never take them for granted.
Eddie, Bear- do you have any words to share with one another, or is that a conversation that is not appropriate for a PG-13 audience?
(They state their love to one another.)
Now, Do you Edward L Cohee take Robert William Richardson to be your lawfully wedded husband, to hold, to hug, to kiss…come what may? To accept his faults and learn with him through mistakes, love him unconditionally, to celebrate all expressions of love no matter how small, and to find new reasons to love him every day?
(response, repeat for Bear)
It has been said that you only get one life, but if you do it right, that’s all you need. You are doing it right. May we present the rings? Please gaze lovingly into each other’s’ eyes, and repeat after me,
“Every experience I am going to have, from this moment forward, I need you to be a part of it. You are the man I want by my side for the rest of my days. This ring is a symbol of eternity and the shackles of marriage that will bind us together from here on.”
(To the guests)
Do you, Eddie and Bear’s loved ones, whether you be present in the flesh or in spirit, promise to love this couple unconditionally and be there to support their love no matter what God throws their way?
(response)
Sister Ruth Shelton will play us out before the final declaration. (You Went and Saved the Best for Last)
By the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and husband. May I present to you, for the first time, Mr. Eddie Cohee Richardson and Mr. Bear Richardson Cohee. You may now kiss your husband.