Flamingo Gardens

INVOCATION

Good afternoon and welcome to beautiful Flamingo Gardens. We are gathered here today to celebrate this union of marriage between Elizabeth Sue-Ann and Michael Joseph. This is a contract not to be entered into lightly, but with great and serious thought and a deep realiztion of it's obligations and responsibilities. Love, loyalty and understanding and laughter are the foundations of a happy and enduring home. With that said...

Who gives this woman away to be married?

- Jr responds

- Mike lifts veil

Elizabeth and Michael are delighted to have you here to participate and celebrate this time with them, so thank you for making the effort to join them on their special day. Elizabeth and Michael wanted to add a personal touch to their ceremony so they asked for a family member to officiate their wedding. Guess who pulled the short straw and had to get ordained and licensed? Our oldest brother, Jr, but he's doing something else instead now, which may be a surprise to him. So, she gets me, her oldest sister, Judy, Judith if you are Jamaican. And now I have to be serious as mom doesn't want any humor here. Sorry mom.

Liz is the youngest in our family. I remember the day when she came home, and I wanted to call her George, I mean Elizabeth, or Beth, or Bet Bet. Fond memories. Then I remember leaving home for college and she was 6. Just a baby. Then the baby grew up, went to kindergarten, 3 times, elementary school, middle school, college, started drinking, grad school, went traveling, got a job, and now, getting married. How time flies. But sometimes she still seems like she is 6 to me.

I first met Michael when we were in a bar - oops. Sorry mom. We were meeting Liz's best friend Natalie and Natalie's husband Joe, for dinner mom, for dinner. Mike was also joining us then. Liz told me afterwards that she and Mike used to date but the timing wasn't right and besides she said, he drives like a grandmonther, and if any of you Liz's driving, you know that alone will drive her to drink. Maybe that's why we were in a bar...

Fast forward to 2012...It was not a huge surprise to me when you guys resumed the dating process. The timing became right, or Liz accepted the grandmotherly driving. I felft honored that I knew who you were before that happened as I don't get to Florida all that often to find out about her personal life. Being a regular with the Nat/Joe/Liz crowd, you fit right in with everyone. And I was glad that you were still alive after our brothers knew who was dating their baby sister. You know, Kung Fu, and all. Just kidding Mike. Just kidding mom. Besides, it's really Louise you really need to watch out for.

Liz is our baby sister and always will be. We went through so many things, so many experiences, like the years of kindergarten in different countries, the trip up the coast of California, the late night dinner cymbals. We tourtured, I mean, shared some good times right? Remember the Arby's chicken sandwiches? The toilet paper runs? Running away with Pinny the bunny rabbit? You know how protective we are of babies. We see you through everything. Through Wonder Woman, Captain Chang, Glow worms, Tink, Archie comics, y'know, basic things like that.

Mike, as the middle child, always understands my point of view, so I like that, a lot. I'm sure you understand the isolation, the feeling of being left out, feeling like you are the one that is looked over, you're not the oldest, you're not the baby, not, well, you get the idea. So it is no suprise that the things you love make so much sense. Batman, the Punisher, Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek. Hmm, I am sensing a common theme here between you two.

I have enjoyed watching your relationship bloom from your friendship to where it is today. You travel well together, mostly with Mike going along with where Liz says. You cook well together, mostly with Mike eating what Liz cooks. You argue well, mostly with Mike giving in. You drive well together, mostly with Liz giving Mike directions. Is there another theme forming here?

But there are concessions. Ezio the cat that Liz named, gets to stay. And Ezio got a friend, named Milhouse (a Simpson reference), even though everyone else calls him Mason. That's a concession, right?

Ah, football season. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, USF Bulls. Football all day on the weekends. Thank goodness for 2 tv's right?

And Mike, stealing blankets at night. But that might be because Liz turns the air down, and turns the fan on. So yet another concession. Or is that a confession?
I think Mike has found his soul mate, even though he never thought he would. He would never change a thing. Especially if he know's what's good for him. Even though you think Aquaman is a real super hero. See, concession.

Mike has always been told you love the nicer things. Where did he hear that from Mom? He is very happy to know he is a part of the nicer things.

So I am not surprised that Liz is the one that wears the pants in the relationship.  It would take a very special guy to let his pants go, so congratulations Mike.  It would take a very special man to win Liz over, and I am happy to say that you are that very special guy. You say 'yes dear' very often, and very, very, very well.

DECLARATION OF INTENT

This is the part of the ceremony that declares your intent to have each other's hand in marriage.  

Face each other and hold hands. 

Elizabeth, will you take Michael to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, until death do you part?  If so, say I will

Michael will you take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in good times and bad, to honor and obey, in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, until death do you part?  If so, say I will

(To the congregation) Everyone, please stand if you are able.  Liz and Mike, turn around and look at all the people that have come to join you today to celebrate in your love.  Do you, everyone here, the ones that Elizabeth and Michael hold closest to them, promise to see them through the good times and the bad times, love and share with them in times of joy and times of sorrow, raise them up when they are happy, and help them up when they are down?  If so, say we will

Elizabeth and Michael have written their own vows and will now share their words that they and will now share their words that they have prepared for each other.

- Elizabeth goes first

- Michael goes second

RING EXCHANGE

Do you have anything to offer each other as a sign of your love and fidelity?

These rings are a symbol of the love that you have for each other. A never ending circle binding the lives and the love that you share.

Michael, take this ring, place it on her left finger and repeat after me.

Elizabeth, with this ring, I thee wed. I promise to be true to you, in good times and bad, in time of joy and in time of sorrow, share with each other in times of laughter and in times of tears, and for evermore love you.

Elizabeth, take this ring, place it on his left finger and repeat after me.

Michael, with this ring, I thee wed. I promise to be true to you in good times and bad in times of joy and in times of sorrow, share with each other in times of laughter and in time of tears, and for evermore love you.

PRONOUNCEMENT

You have witnessed a beautiful blessing and union created here today.

By the authority vested in me by the state of Florida. I now pronounce Elizabeth Sue-Ann and Michael Joseph to be husband and wife.

Michael you may now kiss your bride.

I am absolutely pleased to be the first to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Villarosa.

I have finally found the one whom my soul loves. It has been a long journey and when you came into my life, I knew there was something special about you and not because you are a nerd like me. While it may have taken me some time to realize we are perfect for one another, you never gave up because, I think, you somehow knew it was meant to be. But that may have been because Natalie kept insisting it was meant to be. And for that, I thank her. That is why she is my best friend…she always knows what’s best for me.

Couples always seem to have this moment in their relationships when they knew they had fallen in love and they were with the ones they were meant to be with for the rest of their lives. I always try to think back when that moment was for us, or rather me, and I realize that there has not been a time that I did not love you. My soul has been looking for you my entire life and it was only a matter of time that we would have found one another. I’m just glad it was sooner than later.

And while we may have our disagreements over who’s going to cook dinner, time travel, your driving, who’s the bigger nerd, and the list goes on…I know, at the end of the day, we are so meant for each other. I am happy when I can be myself and because I can be myself around you, I am happiest when I am with you.

So I make these promises to you…I promise to love you forever…I promise to always be on your side…I promise to try to try and not get angry at your driving…I promise to support you unconditionally, even if you go over to the dark side…I promise to laugh at your silly jokes…I promise to keep the number of our pets to a reasonable amount…I promise my life to you. And I may not be your first kiss, first date, or first love, but I want to be your last everything.

Elizabeth, 

Throughout my brightest days and throughout my darkest nights, 

I will always love you. 

You are my best friend and you make me a better person. 

You're the only one on earth that I want to share my food and life with. 

I can't prmoise you that I will always look this thin, that I will always be as great of a driver as I am now, or that I will as be as great of a dancer as I am now, but I can promise you that I will love you with all my heart, for the rest of my life.  

The day I asked you to marry me, I said "I love you with all my heart, and if you let me, I always will".  That was true then, its true now, and it will be true for the rest of my days. 

I love you.