Hello, all — We ask that you please silence and put away your cell phones for an unplugged ceremony. Natalie and Andrew are happy to share the professional photos after the wedding.
You may be seated.
Good afternoon, family members and friends. On behalf of the bride and groom, we wish you a warm Southern welcome to bear witness to the blessed union of Natalie and Andrew. You have traveled from 18 states to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
And just as Natalie and Andrew have navigated myriad metaphorical twists and turns, many trials and triumphs together, so you have literally taken a variety of routes to gather in this beautiful space today. Whether by plane, train or automobile, you have arrived to share in their joy.
You are here because this couple feels close to you and asks that you join with them in this dedication of eternal commitment. You represent symbolically all of the people in the world who will be touched in any way by the life of this couple. You represent their friends and family, now and forever.
Our spirits are also nourished today as we hold close the memory of Natalie’s grandparents, and Andrew’s grandparents and great-uncle.
We have all been blessed … touched … motivated by … and/or are otherwise extremely grateful for being parts of the lives of two committed individuals who are about to solidify one everlasting bond.
Natalie and Andrew, we gather here and now, not only in this history-rich space but also in that place where the two of you have arrived in each other’s hearts — prayerful and hopeful that your love will radiate warmly out into a world so in need of your collective compassion.
So … maybe we should back it up just a bit here.
My name is Jeff Woodard, and I am Andrew’s godfather. Andrew’s father and I go back — way back — to a friendship that began some years ago — in the tiny burg of Chardon, Ohio. At the end of my teenage years, I started running around with Mark. We shared an avid interest in sports, a devoted love of beer and a commitment to keeping one another out of trouble. Somehow, some way, we were successful. For the most part.
Mark would turn out to be a cherished lifelong friend who, along with Andrew’s mother, Melissa, not only asked me to be best man in their wedding some years ago but also to become the godfather of their three children. (Turns to Steven) The oldest of whom is Steven; (turns to Mallory) the youngest of whom is Mallory.
And then … then there’s this one. This one, who always made it a point to invite me to share Christmas with his family. This one, who, along with his sidekick, paid me a surprise visit to Cleveland during the holiday season a couple years ago. Along with Andrew’s parents, they treated me to lunch — and quite a surprise.
It’s called an “escape room.” Now … Once I became comfortable with the notion of being locked in a large, odd-looking room, by someone I didn’t know, and realized that water and bathroom privileges would not be an option for a while — it was fun! In an “escape room, your group collaborates to find clues, complete tasks and solve a variety of puzzles. This little caper involves doors, drawers, locks, latches, numbers, knobs, combinations and concoctions galore. The goal is to solve all these little challenges, in order, within an hour to “escape.”
Our intense spirit of collaboration and perseverance won out; we freed ourselves with a few minutes to spare! And when I say “we” … I did NOT have much to do with it. But (pause) I’ve thought about this lately and how the whole “escape house” experience is a metaphor of the way Andrew and Natalie live their collective life together. As a team. As one. Thriving in the banquet of life by using appropriate measurements of intuition, patience and perseverance. Always. Moving. Forward.
Natalie and Andrew, I thank you for inviting me to serve in this role today. I am humbled and I am honored to be part of this extraordinary celebration of your exhilarating journey together. I commend both of you for the courage and commitment it has taken for each of you to make your way to this place today.
From this point forward, Andrew, Natalie’s needs will carry the same priority as your own. Likewise, Natalie, from this point forward, Andrew’s needs will be seen to be as important as your own. The energies of your individual lives shall blend into harmony and oneness. Also, to foster further joy and happiness, I ask that you forgive each other any past transgressions and allow the waters of forgiveness to wash you clean.
You are given the chance to begin your lives again this day with this radical renewal through the power of commitment. You commit to a compelling future for yourselves, for any children you might one day have, and to any part you might play in the healing of the world. This union is one in which the roots run deep and extend widely.
In the forest of marriages, this one is at least an oak tree — if not a Sequoia. Both of you have expressed to me your profound appreciation and gratitude to those loved ones who have helped you reach this point. Most notably, Natalie’s parents, and Andrew’s parents. The two of you have told me the support of your family and friends is sacred, that you value beyond words the manner in which all who are present in this moment have played a pivotal role in helping you to become who you are, both as individuals and as a couple.
You need only look at the home you purchased here in Charleston and consider the monumental transformation it has undergone in the past year. The scrubbing and sanding. The priming and painting. The plumbing, the flooring, the landscaping, the heavy lifting, the light lifting and all the lifting in between. The blood, sweat and tears inherent to first-time homeownership. All the highway miles tirelessly traversed on the rural roadways and highways connecting Charleston with Columbus.
These family ties that bind are strong and durable. Consider, if you will, these “coincidences”:
- Natalie served as Andrew’s sister Maggie’s mentor when Maggie was a freshman at Worthington Kilbourne High School.
- Imagine the surprise for Andrew’s cousin, Trevor, when he showed up at sister Maggie’s high school graduation in 2015, and the reason Trevor’s former teacher and advisor at OSU was there: Turns out that teacher is Natalie’s father.
- As a freshman at Denison in 2013, Natalie played soccer with Jackie. Not only would Jackie become Natalie’s best friend and bridesmaid, another fun fact came to light when Natalie told Jackie the last name of her boyfriend. Jackie said, “Hmmm, that’s funny, that’s the last name of the physician’s assistant in my doctor’s office.” Yep, that’s Andrew’s mother!
- Fast-forward to the July 2021 wedding reception of Andrew’s brother, Steven, to his beloved Lisa. Unbeknownst to just about everyone in the house, Natalie’s sister, a dance major at Ohio State, had conspired with the groom and his mother to choreograph the mother-son dance — a funky little number that surprised and entertained reception-goers.
- Lastly but not least, a new family bond was forged within the past year when Andrew not only became uncle for Steven and Lisa’s baby boy, but also his godfather. Baby Taylor’s first birthday is just 20 days away. So … to all … congratulations on the part you have played in raising a daughter and a son of such serious purpose.
Today they accept a very mature and meaningful task in entering into this marriage. I remind you that it is more than their blood that is joined here; it is yours as well. With this marriage, God joins your two families, and it is the family unit that can heal the world.
With this in mind, I ask you, Natalie’s parents, to take this man, Andrew, as your son. I ask your family to take him into their hearts, as son and brother, and beloved to Natalie. And of you, Mark and Melissa, I ask the same — to take Natalie into your hearts, that she might live from this day as your daughter. I ask your other children as well to receive her as their sister, for she is dear and beloved to their brother.
I ask all of you to use your energies to support these two, that any words you say or any actions you take protect the holiness of this bond — a union a formed with the answer to the simple question: “Why — why this person?”
Well, they told me that early on in their relationship they discussed their views on relationships, love, and religion. They felt an alignment in their beliefs, parallels in their upbringing and a shared focus on building a good life. The next thing they knew, they’d dated long distance four years across states and continents; moved away from family and began anew in South Carolina; quarantined through the pandemic together; and raised their beloved puppy, Poppy.
They’ve endured the financial strains of young adulthood, graduate school and painstaking renovations, and through these experiences have learned how to maintain communication, mutual respect and partnership. In essence, they’ve learned how to grow together.
Andrew told me recently, “There are the cliches that she completes me, makes me better, adds just the right amount of spice to my life to keep things exciting. But I think, at the end of the day, she is a bit like me, as much as I don’t want to admit it. She is empathic to a T — almost debilitating at times. She can go all in on something with little to no context, understands how to have fun at the myriad moments of life. She is smart but not mean or in your face about it; a bit short-tempered but in a good way, and knows how to put up with me.
“I have seen throughout the years that, even as we change and grow, I can’t think of anyone else I would want to go on this road trip of life with. I’ve seen us pick up hobbies, put others ones down, relocate, go through some trying times, and every time I take a moment to reflect I think, “Dang, how lucky am I that I found someone that is so perfect and quintessential to my happiness — and she lived less than five minutes from my parents’ house?”
Natalie, meanwhile, expressed to me an “endless admiration” for Andrew. “I adore his genuineness, his patience and his zeal for life. Andrew naturally brings people together. He helps me be a better version of myself. Andrew has integrity and he is steadfast; he has the discipline to make choices toward his goals. He is accountable. I admire that of him.
“He is optimistic and playful — his wit and charm keep me on my toes. He makes the smallest moments enjoyable. He is my champion and my partner. I love his viewpoints and his perception of the world. He supports my dreams and he helps me reach them.
“I have watched him grow into the man he is. I have absolutely no idea how our life will evolve, but I have no fears of the future with him by my side.”
Natalie and Andrew would like to share with you a brief essay by acclaimed author Robert Fulghum. If the name sounds familiar, he is the author of the best-selling treatise on life titled “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
The essay is entitled “The Union.”
“You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks — all those conversations that began with, ‘When we’re married,’ and continued with ‘I will’ and ‘you will’ and ‘we will’ — all those late-night talks that included ‘someday’ and ‘somehow’ and ‘maybe’ — and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, ‘You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed — well, I meant it all, every word’.”
Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another — acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.
For after today you shall say to the world: This is my husband. This is my wife.
Andrew and Natalie, please turn toward one another.
Natalie, please repeat after me:
With this ring …
I give to you my promise…
That from this day forward …
You shall not walk alone…
May my heart be your shelter …
And my arms be your home…
May we walk together through all things …
May you feel deeply loved …
For indeed you are …
I give you my heart ..
I have no greater gift to give …
I promise I shall do my best …
I shall always try…
I feel so honored to call you husband …
I feel so blessed to call you mine…
May we feel this joy forever …
I thank God …
I thank you ..
Andrew, please repeat after me.
With this ring …
I give to you my promise…
That from this day forward …
You shail not walk alone…May my heart be your shelter …
And my arms be your home…
May we walk together through all things …
May you feel deeply loved …
For indeed you are …
I give you my heart ..
I have no greater gift to give …
I promise I shall do my best …
I shall always try …
I feel so honored to call you my wife …
I feel so blessed to call you mine…
May we feel this joy forever …
I thank God …
I thank you.
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.
Andrew and Natalie, do you vow to love and to honor one another; to support and sustain one another, to grow even more steadfastly devoted to one another all the remaining days of your lives? If so, say, “We do.”
Friends and family members, as you are able, please rise.
I now ask of you, the witnesses: Will you support this couple through hardship and challenge, as well as celebrate them in happy times? Will you surround them in love, support them in being steadfast in their promises and in the family they are creating today? If your answer is yes, say, “We do.”
Please join me in prayer.
Dear Lord,
the source of all true love,
we pray for Natalie and Andrew.
Grant to them joy of heart,
seriousness of mind
and reverence of spirit,
that as they enter into the oneness of marriage
they may be strengthened and guided by you.
Amen.
Ladies and gentlemen, through the power vested in me in the state of South Carolina, it is my honor … my privilege … my joy … to present to you … the Petersons.
Thank you all! Andrew and Natalie welcome you to the Breezeway for drinks and appetizers during cocktail hour. We ask that family remain seated for family photos.