Wedding Day
Doug and Lori Holdread

July 20, 2002

Wedding day dawned sunny and excitement was high.

Doug got up early and got the house tweaked for the reception,
stuck flowers in the cake and groomed carefully.
Lori went to the beauty parlor with Lindsay and got a curly “‘do”.

 

 

  

We met guests out at Doug’s studio and drove down to the riverside. Doug led them to the wedding glen,


 

whilst cello music wafted softly in the background.

 

Marshal walked mom down the aisle...
or through the woods…		  Deb Bernhardt was matron of honor.
Phyllis Brown greeted the guests,
then prayed with us.

               

(Marsh has outgrown me by a foot!)     

 

Here are Lori’s vows to Doug:

    

Doug,

As we stand before loved ones, and before God,
I want them to know who you are in my eyes:
You are generous, and you assume the best in me.
You are kind, and I am made kind in turn. 

You are tender, and I am melted by your tenderness.
You are honest, and I can live beside you with confidence.
You are funny and smart, and you make me feel the same.
You are brave. I draw courage from my association with you. 
You are the one I want to walk beside. You have my heart.

Walt Whitman said

 “... I give you my hand!
I give you my love, more precious than money,
I give myself before preaching or law;
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?

 And so, Doug,
 I pledge to be your wife.
I will help you, hold you and love you,
Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick.

 I will be faithful to you, and I will
Honor and keep you in my heart
All the days of my life. 

 

Here are Doug’s vows to Lori:

       

Lori,

On this day, as we join our lives in the presence of God and these witnesses, I want to recount some of the things that I've learned from you over the past few years.

 I've learned that it is a good and noble thing to simply be a human and a man;
that I don't have to try to be a mystical monk or a sinless saint.

You've taught me about "giving passes"; that being gracious and merciful is
better than being "right", and "counting coup."

I've experienced that love will buoy me in my frailty and my flailing anxiety;
that my heart is safe, cradled in the arms of God.

You've taught me how to be a "happy camper" in adversity and a "trooper"
in the midst of emotional assaults. 

I've learned not to "hoard my dittos", but rather to share freely from the
abundance of our generous God.

You've shown me how healthy it is to own my fears and my failings,
accepting that I am one with humanity in my weaknesses.

 So Lori, 

I promise as your husband:

To tenderly care for you, both in times of creative, energetic abundance,
as well as in times of diminishment and loss.

To keep myself open to you; to talk and write and stay in the light of Grace.

To keep our love alive, delighting in you, appreciating you and romancing you.

I will ever be by your side to support, encourage and defend you as we continue
this journey together to its fulfillment.

 


Rings were joyfully exchanged!

 

 

More pictures here!

 

 

 ...and laughter and merrymaking followed at a housewarming and reception
at Doug and Lori's new home at 1221 Alta.

 

   
 

 


The traditional wedding toast was given by Lori's brother, Tom Hardin.