Our Vows
On behalf of the entire ships complement, we are delighted to be part of this very special celebration, the renewal of Joseph and Jennifers commitment to each other made on their wedding day.
Joe and Jennifer,
During the intervening years, you have lived through sickness and health, pain and pleasure, failure and success.
Yet because of your love and commitment to each other, you have persevered through the bright sunlight of the mountaintops and the depths of the sea.
Your love has brought you to this joyous occasion, where hand-in-hand you renew your vows of love and trust in each other.
[Captain instructs couple to take hands]
These are the hands of your best friend,
young and strong and full of love for you.
They are being held by each other on this day as you renew your promise
to love each other for the rest of your lives.
The hands that you hold now are the very hands that will work along side you as you continue to build your future and life together, and share your innermost secrets, hopes and dreams.
These too are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are also the hands that will hold you when fear and grief threaten to overwhelm you.
These too are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, and their children.
These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will be there to give you strength when you need it the most.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when becoming wrinkled and aged will be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
When you first joined hands and hearts 10 years ago, you did not know where life would take you. You promised to love, honor and cherish one another through all things. Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings and difficult tribulations. And you remained steadfast and true to each other. Therefore, you have fulfilled your promise! So, as you come here today to reaffirm your wedding vows and as you reflect back over the years together as husband and wife, do you now reaffirm the vows you took 10 years ago? If so, repeat after me.
Vows:
[These are repeat after me responses]
Jennifer, please look into Joes eyes and repeat after me
Joe 10 years ago, I stood with you before family and friends and promised to love, honor and cherish you;
Once again, I take your hand as my partner.
Joe, I take you this day and for all days as my husband.
Joe, please look into Jennifers eyes and repeat after me
Jennifer- 10 years ago, I stood with you before family and friends and promised to love, honor and cherish you;
Once again, I take your hand as my partner.
Jennifer, I take you this day and for all days as my wife.
Ring Exchange (Repeat after me)
Jennifer, please place this ring on Joes finger and repeat after me.
Joe, I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever.
it is with joy born of experience and trust
that I commit myself, once again, to be your wife.
And, I affirm this commitment by giving you this ring.
Wear it in memory of this moment and in honor of all the moments we shall share together.
Joe, please place this ring on Jennifers finger and repeat after me.
Jennifer, I believe in this marriage more strongly than ever.
it is with joy born of experience and trust
that I commit myself, once again, to be your husband.
And, I affirm this commitment by giving you this ring.
Wear it in memory of this moment and in honor of all the moments we shall share together.
Sand Ceremony
Jennifer And Joseph have decided to include a Family Sand Ceremony as part of their Vow Renewal. [Family walks to sand table]
These four separate sand colors before you symbolize your separate lives of each member of your family prior to today. I ask that each of you take one of the jars of sand and pour it into the empty vase. As these four containers of sand are poured into the fifth container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be divided again neither shall your family be divided.
Pronouncement of Married couple
Because Joe and Jennifer have remained committed to each other in marriage, and have witnessed this before family and friends, reaffirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and have once again pledged their love and faith to each other, sealing their vows in the giving and receiving of rings, and their commitment to each other and their family with the sand ceremony, I do proclaim that they are still, Husband and Wife. Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this union, now and forever.
Blessing
Friends, watch these hands that you see before you this day.
May they always be held by one another.
Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment.
Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love.
Help these hands to continue building a relationship, rich in caring, and devoted each other and their family.
May Joe and Jennifer see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.
Joseph, you may once again, kiss your bride!
