Civil Unions, Commitment Ceremonies, Same Sex Marriages

What do the above titles have in common?? They are ALL demonstrations of commitment and love between two people witnessed by their friends and family. I am always happy when I officiate the life rituals uniting two people in love. Individuals who choose to make a lifetime commitment to one another are making the ultimate decision to share their love, hopes and dreams, and begin a shared venture, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health. When a couple decides to make their commitment together, I suggest to them different types of rituals, blending ceremonies, readings, and vows. Here is a reading that was brought to me by one couple for their ceremony, I wanted to share it with you.

The Commitment to Love Poem

Love is the strongest and most fulfilling emotion possible

It lets you share your goals, your desires, your experiences

It lets you share your life with someone

It lets you be yourself

With someone who will always support you

It lets you feel tenderness and warmth-

A wholeness that avoids loneliness

Love lets you feel complete

But in order to have a successful love relationship

You must make a strong commitment to each other and love

And you must do and feel everything within your mind and body

To make this commitment work

You must be happy with yourself

And you must understand yourself

Before you can expect someone else

To be happy with you or to understand you

You must be honest about yourself and each other at all times

And not hold any feelings back

You must accept each other the way you are

And not try to change each other

You must be free to grow as individuals yet share your life as one

But not live your life through each other

You must follow your own principles and morals

And not follow what societal roles tell you to do

In order to have a successful love relationship

You must be together always in your heart

But not necessarily always in your activities

You must be proud of each other and love

And not be ashamed to show your sensitive feelings

You must treat every day spent with each other as special

And not take each other or your love for granted

You must spend time talking with each other everyday

And not be too busy with outside events that you are too tired for each other

You must understand each other’s moods and feelings

And not hurt each other intentionally

But if your frustrations are taken out on each other

You must both realize that it is not a personal attack

You must be passionate with each other often

And not get into boring patterns

You must continue to have fun and excitement with each other

And not be afraid to try new things

You must always work at love and your love relationship

And not forget how important this relationship is or what

You would feel like without it

Love is the strongest

And most fulfilling emotion possible

If you live

Your commitment to love

You will live your dreams

Between awakenings......