Eljay & Jesse's Vows

The friends and family of Jesse and Eljay are gathered here today to celebrate their marriage, the beginning of a lifetime commitment between them.

Marriage is more than making a home together and raising a famiy together, although those are the most important results.

Marriage is more than just friendship and more than just love, although that's where relationships start.

Marriage is more than just sharing day-to-day experiences, although that's what makes for a strong relationship.

Marriage is more than just living together, although that's the hardest part for people who have had adult lives apart.

Marriage is about being partners in everything you do, about planning the rest of your lives together, about sharing dreams and hopes for the future, and about loving each other enough to rejoice in each others' strengths and accept each others' weaknesses.

Eljay and Jesse today are ready to make that commitment and begin their lives together.

Jesse Alan! Repeat after me, I, Jesse Gordon, promise to love Eljay in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, to accept Spike and Coco as my children, for all of our days.

Additionally, do you promise to love her even if she is moody and it seemed like she grimaced at you; do you promise to always tell her the whole truth, to not punch walls, to always remember that you love and respect and trust Eljay, in all your dealings with the world and yourself, and, to not leave a gallon of juice in the fridge with one sip left in it?

Lisa Jayne! Repeat after me, I, Eljay, promise to love Jesse in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, for all of our days together.

Additionally do you promise to love him madly even if he forgets your birthday or where you were you supposed to meet on that date? Do you promise to love him even if he lets Spike eat spare ribs and the sauce is all over him right before it is time to leave for school? Do you promise to hug him on demand up to five times an hour? Do you promise to at least pretend to listen carefully when he discusses the socioeconomic implications of the environmental libertarian program? Do you promise to always tell him the whole truth, but smooth him afterwards if it is darkly colored by the harsh, jagged edge of life and to try to stop giving any look to Jesse that might be perceived as a grimace?

Eljay and Jesse, Do you both promise to calm each other down when the other is panicking? Do you both promise to remind each other of your eternal love and support when things get bleak? Do you both promise to never forget how to laugh, and to always appreciate each other, despite your all too human imperfections? Do you both promise to love each other forever from this day forward?

By the power vested in me by Jesse and Eljay, I pronounce you partners in life, friends in love, lovers in destiny, husband and wife.

Spike, do you promise to accept Jesse as your dad and part of your family forever? Do you promise to love him always, even when you're a grown up?

Coco, do you promise to accept Jesse as your dad and as part of your family forever? Do you promise to love him always even when you're a teenager?

I now pronounce you a family.

Wedding Program by Spike

Pre-Ceremony

11 AM: Family gathering with bagels and lox.

12 Noon: Change into formal clothes.

12:45: Paparazzi arrive.

1 PM: Photo ops.

2 PM: Guests arrive.
Open bar and hors d'oeuvres.
Mayhem commences.

Official Ceremony

Post-Ceremony

3:30 Informal receiving line.

4 PM - 6 PM Dancing & Buffet.

6 PM Guests begin to depart, after signing Katubah.
Change to informal clothes.

7 PM Sword ceremony. Michele calls from China.

8 PM Spike & Coco bedtime.