Matt and Heather’s Wedding Talk
Coordinator: Everyone take your seats, we're about to begin.
6:35-6:38
JB to the front
Matt and Heather take their places at the back as Alison start to sing "Someone to Watch over Me" by Gershwin. Matt and Heather walk together hand in hand down the aisle, timing arrival with end of song.
6:38-6:45 (Introduction)
Good Afternoon,
I would like to welcome you all on behalf of Matt and Heather as we join together to witness their union in matrimony. It's an honor I am glad to share in. I've had the pleasure of watching their love for one another blossom over the past two years into the wondrous partnership they now share. I have known them only as a couple, whereas many of you have known them as individuals and as the unit you see before you today. Although, every time I have asked them how long they have been together, the answer is without fail, “Always.” It seemed to me, even when I first met them, that here were two people who just fit together, much like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. They work diligently to complement one another and continue to build on the solid foundation of their love. When one of becomes overburdened with endless challenges of life, the other is always there to provide unwavering support. And though it may seem incredulous, I have never heard either speak an ill word of the other. I believe in their love wholeheartedly, and there is no question of its totality.
What does love mean? Love means embracing the desire to see your loved one's hopes and dreams realized. Committing to a bond as reverent as marriage means having the wisdom to know you want to play an integral part in the realization of those hopes and dreams. I believe that my good friends, Matt and Heather have a love like this for one another and have not committed to this union lightly. To them no goal is unreachable, no burden too much to bear, no mountain too high to climb, as long as they face it together. They’ve seen each other through loss and pain, through joys and successes, and each obstacle they face becomes an opportunity for them to find new ways to solve problems together and improve both themselves and their relationship with each other and with others. Their love is destined to sweeten as the years pass them by. I can envision them, old and bent, still laughing as they walk down the street hand in hand, or arm in arm, singing the silly songs and making the silly noises that they are known to do.
I'm often reminded of the simple beauty life holds when I am with them. The kind of beauty that hides in waiting in the quiet moments that occur between the daily work that makes our lives. Little things, like Heather's uncanny ability to discover shiny dimes on the sidewalk, or the way Matt’s eyes look afar as he talks in partial sentences and jumbled outbursts when describing his latest programming project, remind me of the childlike wonder and amazement that often escapes us as adults. And yet, at 31, Matt and Heather have retained so much of their childhood and it is a wonderful thing to witness. Their collaboration is something altogether special, and best sums up my appreciation and reverence for them as a couple. They work together, in union, and today take the step steeped in tradition to announce to the world that their cooperative spirit transcends the ordinary.
(How Others Inspire Them)
In choosing a life partner many people will seek out the qualities they most admire in their parents. Matt and Heather are no exception. Matt's musicality and creativity, his pun-laden parodies, entrepreneurial spirit, brilliant mind and generous heart; Heather's keen business sense, awesome cooking ability, sharp intellect, and strength of character—capable, creative, and instinctively nurturing and caring. They both are guided by a strong moral compass and a love of learning which they gratefully attribute to their positive upbringings. Both look to their parents as amazing role models, and have become role models for others, driven to accomplish and excel, and inspiring those around them to reach for their and their own goals. Both are goofy, sweet, imaginative, and talented, and maintain a sense of childlike wonderment with the world around them. They share a delightful sense of humor, with constant inside joking, word and math games, and wildly imaginative streams of stories and songs.
Heather said once that she looked at Matt and saw clearly in him the complement to her in every way; that it was as if they had once been the same person, fit neatly together, and had split apart, only now to rejoin in perfect harmony. In the time that I’ve known Matt and Heather, they rarely spend a day apart—in fact they even work on the same block! To call them inseparable would be an understatement—they consider each other in everything they do, and while they are each strong individuals capable of achieving anything on their, together they present an unstoppable force that allows each of them to flourish, pursue their dreams, and give of themselves to others.
Matt and Heather also find joy and support in their happy group of family and friends, many of whom are gathered here today to celebrate their marriage. Each of you brings something special to the lives of these two people—talented musicians and dancers, brilliant designers, crafters, and artists, incredible photographers, chefs, seamstresses, workout partners, inspirational spiritual allies, storytellers and confidantes, caretakers and merry makers, old friends and new — you all hold a dear place in the lives of Matt and Heather, and they are honored to share this day with you.
6:45-6:50 (How They Met)
Matt and Heather met in a rather serendipitous manner-- both of them worked at a large company on the east side, but their paths had never crossed. Heather was the lead vocalist in a rock and roll band and one day posted flyers in a number of campus kitchens looking for a new drummer. Matt happened upon a flyer and delivered it to his friend Rene, who then called, auditioned, and joined the band. Sometime later, Rene mentioned something to Heather about his friend Matt ("you know, the one who gave me your flyer?"), but she was unaware of this mysterious friend person or how he'd come across said flyer. At the same time, Rene told Matt 'I think our lead singer works at the same company as you' which sparked his curiosity, and upon looking her up in the address book, was surprised to realize she worked in the same building exactly one floor above. Even before they knew each other they were still together. By this time, Matt had completely forgotten about the flyer.
For approximately two weeks, Matt snuck by Heather's office hoping to catch a glimpse of this person somewhere other than the band's web site. His curiosity, as he recalls was equally matched by his desire for the peanut M&Ms in the dish at the end of the hallway (which made a good excuse to go up there again and again…). One day, Rene finally pulled both of them into an instant messaging session where they talked about Steely Dan songs and agreed that they should meet up for lunch sometime and talk about jamming together. Not long after, Heather looked up Matt's office number and wandered down to say hi, possibly grabbing some peanut M&M's on the way down. Peeking through the door, she saw two people intently working and nervously called out "Matt?" unsure of which would answer. When the handsome young man lifting the bowling ball with his feet turned around in response, their eyes locked and they were smitten, so much so that he even agreed to her suggestion of a sushi lunch, even though Matt hated sushi at the time. Now five years and four months later, they stand here... and Matt likes sushi.
(How They Became Engaged)
Most people or couples have their power animal or animals; for these two, it’s the common bumblebee. The bumble bee has been a recurrent theme in Matt and Heather's lives together, cropping up in everything from pet names for each other to computer naming strategies to symbols at significant times in their relationship, and all the more fitting since Heather’s childhood nickname was “Heather Bee”. She was even drawn to her current job because the name of the company is bee-themed, and because her honey-pun filled cover letter didn’t dissuade them from talking to her. To best illustrate the significance of bees in their lives I would like to now recount Heather’s version of their engagement. It's no small wonder that on that day in the middle of a barren desert, on a massive salt flat, with no vegetation for miles around, two bees were to bear buzzing witness to Matt's proposal.
August 30th 2006—A Wednesday in the desert, Black Rock City, Nevada
With our friends Seussically wed, we departed Lemuria at 2:00 and Fate and trekked out across the brownie-baked crust of playa to observe the city from afar and frolic in the prehistoric lake bed magnificence. Wind fluttering up flamey skirt and silhouetting sun falling closer to the mountain line, we set up the tripod and began to play.
From nowhere, there and gone again, two alien bees manifested and swarmed and danced around our heads before winking away. We stood in awe and disbelief, and then you came to me, held my hands in your hands, and looked lovingly into my eyes, taking away first one ring and then the next before dropping to one knee and asked me to be yours always. Shaking and crying and laughing and intermittently wiggling I sank to my knees with you whispering yes, yes, a million times yes as you slipped the most amazing ring onto my finger and placed the band upon yours that you had once given to me on your birthday in November, In a mall in Portland when I could hardly contain my glee. We stood again, clasping each other, and I screamed to the sky YESSSSSSSSSSS! And as if on cue, the world disappeared in a tornado of white and all we could see was each other (as always, only this time most literally and with pelting playa-clods and otherwise). Huddled on the ground we covered each other with dusty kisses and cried into our goggles of love eternal. Ever beaming, ever willing, always yours, mine, ours…
6:50-6:55 (Exchanging of Vows and Rings)
Now, nearly two years later we are gathered here in celebration of that promise. Joining together in the union of marriage is a decision that Matt and Heather enter into wholeheartedly and with much meditation and consideration. They believe in the sacredness of the vows they are about to make to each other, and in the lifelong bond they are here about to seal in front of all of you as witnesses.
(I Dos)
First, I’ll ask each of you the question I know you’re eager to finally answer.
Matt Brian Anderton, do you take this woman, Heather Ellen Ramses to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live and beyond?
Matt: I donut
Heather Ellen Ramses, do you take this man, Matt Brian Anderton to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love, honor, and cherish, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live and beyond?
Heather: I donut
(We Are Family)
We know that two people in love do not live in isolation. Their love is a source of strength with which they may nourish not only each other but also the world around them. And in turn, we, their friends and family, have a responsibility to support the new family they are creating today with our steadfast care, respect, and love.
Will everyone please rise?
Will you who are present here today, surround Matt and Heather in love, offering them the joys of your friendship, and supporting them in their marriage? (Do we really want to ask our guests to get up for this brief moment?)
Everyone: Yay!
Your affirmation speaks to your love for these two and the bond they share. You may be seated.
(Vows)
As you make your vows to each other, I ask you to remember that love—rooted in respect, trust, and acceptance—is the foundation of your abiding and deepening relationship. No other vows more sacred than those you now assume. By thinking on the vows you make to each other today and keeping them close to your hearts every day of your lives together, you will experience the joy of loving and being loved fully, without limitation, and your home will be one built solidly on respect and appreciation for one another, a place in which you both will be able to root and grow. Now will you please read to your vows to one another?
Matt:
Heather, you are the unwavering calm that tempers my storms. You love me unconditionally are the rock of my existence. I promise to hold you up and to be held, give you all of my love, and trust in the trueness of our friendship and our commitment to each other. I will always be honest with you, work as a true life partner to support our goals and dreams, and care for you with the highest respect. I promise to be your loyal friend, your equal in all things, your inspiration and your solid support. A day doesn’t go by that I’m not thankful and amazed that you are by my side, and I will love you faithfully and unconditionally until the stars are no more, and even then we’ll glow on together, hand in hand. I look forward to living, loving, learning and perhaps most importantly, laughing in the days, weeks, months, years and lifetimes to come. I give you all of me, my hand, my heart, and my love, for always. And, I promise to try and be less annoying.
Heather:
Matt, you are my best friend, the most brilliant, beautiful, and kind-hearted person I know (although sometimes I am funnier). I promise to nurture and care for you, to inspire you, to make you laugh when you are blue, to respect the wonderful being you are. I will always be honest with you, kind, patient, and forgiving. But most of all, I promise to be a true and loyal friend to you, your equal life partner in a loving relationship. Together we will face all of life's triumphs and failures, explore its mysteries and wonders, and together we will share and support one another's dreams and goals. I can’t imagine sharing every day with anyone else but you, and I will love you faithfully and unconditionally throughout this life and whatever comes beyond. I give you all of me, my hand, my heart, and my love, for always.
(Rings)
The ring is a symbol of eternal union, and so it’s fitting that Matt and Heather bind their vows with an outward symbol of their commitment. May I have the rings please? Akookie?
Please repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a daily reminder of my love for you and the vows we share.
6:55-7:00 (Closing of ceremony)
And now by the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. Mister, you may kiss your missus!
Kissing, etc.
I am honored and pleased to present to you the newly married couple! <CHEER>
Dad plays Blackbird on guitar while we wiggle, hug, and high-five and walk together back down the runner.
Matt and Heather request your presence at a reception honoring their marriage, this evening at the Sorrento Hotel on First Hill, downtown Seattle. If you need directions, please see <DIRECTION PERSON> for a map. You’re also welcome to stay here and enjoy the park and games and refreshments for until 7:30, and then we’ll move to the Sorrento Penthouse for dessert and snacks!