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It was exactly one year ago that my best friend spoke these words:
If you had told me back then that I would spend the start of our first wedding anniversary sleeping on the floor of a hospital room, I would have probably laughed. But here I am, starting out the day the same way I have spent most of July - right next to my son but so far away from my wife. I had pictured starting some kind of romantic tradition today, waking her up with some little surprise to start the day. I guess that tradition will have to wait until next year. In any case, I still can't believe how lucky I am to have Kris and how happy she makes me. She is on her way to work now, and I am waiting for word from the doctors about moving Ben to Shand's Hospital in Gainesville, but we will be together this afternoon. Tonight we are having dinner at Victoria & Albert's, a very romantic four star restaurant located at the Grand Floridian resort. After the meal, there will be fireworks. Once, a long time ago, I promised her "fireworks every night, baby." I haven't quite managed that, but I'll try to make up for it tonight.
Happy Anniversary, Kris. As Alton Brown once said, I love you more than salt.
Friends, Romans, countrymen... Oh, sorry. Guess it's been awhile since I was on the stage, bit of a flashback there.
Friends, family, random strangers passing by. We are gathered here without an official reservation or sanction from the Disney World corporate offices, to bear witness to the legal and contractually binding union of Ronald Justin Miles and Kristine Elaine Byrd. In other words, wedded bliss, holy (*ahem*) matrimony, the official end of their "shacking up together" days. Yes, to quote the undisputed expert on the subject: "Mawidge, the bwessed awwangement, that dweam wiffim a dweam... Ven wuv, twoo wuv, wiw fowwow you fowever."
And we are here to send these two off into that dweam-er, dream. Ron, a good, caring, excellent human being whom I've personally known for two decades, and therefore know exactly how to embarrass in front of this crowd on this most auspicious of days. And Kris, also a good, caring, excellent human being, whom I've known for not nearly as long, and therefore have far less fodder to work with, so at least one of you is off the hook.
Um, let's see... Lost my place. Greeted everyone, explained what we're doing here, recognized bride and groom- oh, yes, now's when I talk about the rings. As has been pontificated in every other ceremony since the dawn of time, the wedding ring is a symbol of love and commitment, an endless band, an unbroken circle, yada yada yada, one ring for her, one ring for him, "One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." …Best not to speculate about that portion of their relationship actually.
But, yes, your rings are a symbol and a reminder of your love, your commitment, your promise to one another. Cherish what they represent, and not the symbols themselves. Still, do try not to lose them in any more rivers, mmkay?
By now, some if not most of you assembled here have noticed that this ceremony is a bit... unusual. Well that it should be. Consider: Ron's proposal to Kris was at in this very park, not far from here just outside of the Haunted Mansion — not precisely the apex of conventional romantic locations. Instead of waiting until the day of the ceremony and a "proper" exchange of wedding bands, Ron and Kris have been wearing theirs since the day of purchase. Speaking of which... (have them remove rings and hand them over)
Finally, as to their selection of wedding officiator — a devout agnostic who has historically preached *against* the institution of marriage — …not precisely mainstream.
Yet, therein lies whatever blessing, whatever benediction I can bestow. Ron, Kris: let this marriage be just that. Unconventional. Unorthodox. Non-traditional, non-conformist, not bounded by the fetters and pitfalls of standard, mundane, mainstream marriage. May your love and your life together be free from the banal and the normative.
In that light, I will not have you swear vows, take oaths or pledge allegiance. I simply ask of you to do the following: Be true to yourselves. Be true to one another. For yourself and for your other, do your best by each. All else will flow from that.
Ronald Justin Miles, do you agree to this?
Kristine Elaine Byrd, do you agree to this?
Fantastic. Finally, if there is anyone who feels these two should not be wed — friend, family, random passerby, Disney World security personnel, force of nature, supernatural entity — this is your last chance.
Then, by the power vested in me by people who should probably know better, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss — and make it good, 'cause people are watching.
If you had told me back then that I would spend the start of our first wedding anniversary sleeping on the floor of a hospital room, I would have probably laughed. But here I am, starting out the day the same way I have spent most of July - right next to my son but so far away from my wife. I had pictured starting some kind of romantic tradition today, waking her up with some little surprise to start the day. I guess that tradition will have to wait until next year. In any case, I still can't believe how lucky I am to have Kris and how happy she makes me. She is on her way to work now, and I am waiting for word from the doctors about moving Ben to Shand's Hospital in Gainesville, but we will be together this afternoon. Tonight we are having dinner at Victoria & Albert's, a very romantic four star restaurant located at the Grand Floridian resort. After the meal, there will be fireworks. Once, a long time ago, I promised her "fireworks every night, baby." I haven't quite managed that, but I'll try to make up for it tonight.
Happy Anniversary, Kris. As Alton Brown once said, I love you more than salt.
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From: (Anonymous)
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From:
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Am just back from finally seeing my Da home from the hospital and checking on you and Ben first thing. Thank you for the pictures. Wishing you a long overdue smooth and safe recovery.
And, have a very good night.