I have taken a vow as a “minister” to most specifically be a wedding officiant.  My promise is that I support each couple to perform this ritual of coupling exactly the way they choose.  I support all and every religious and spiritual system.  If we are to avoid religious words–even saying “amen”–that’s what I support.  If we have a celebration filled with readings from the Bible, Bhagavad Gita or Rod McKuen–that is where I am nodding and blessing.

The public commitment to couple–to be a couple, to declare a house a home and a family–is an eternal human urge.  “Look at us, we are in this community as one entity.”  That’s what a marriage ceremony is all about.

However, I always suggest that the two love birds have a private ritual–just the two of them–declaring their intention of love and union separate from and before the public/family celebration.  Because any and all relationship patterns (good and difficult) from generations of family habits, will appear in the public ceremony.

Just how we can bless all these seemingly contorted expressions of love (aka control and fear), is my adventure–and my release.

Human love at its best is the tiniest, dearest glimpse into the light from the sliver of the doorway into the mesmerizing gaze of Her eyes.