To see the coverpage of the Civil Union program, click on the image to the right.

1. Welcome
2. Purpose of Today
3. Statement of Intent
4. Exchange of Vows
5. Exchange of Rings
6. Pronouncement
7. Back Page - "With You" from Pippin

Welcome to Vermont and to the Timberholm Inn. Most importantly, welcome to this most special civil union celebration of David Remele, David Slater, and Ken Bryant, Ted Brockus. We have come to witness, support and celebrate the commitment they make today.

We come together not to mark the start of a relationship of these two couples, but to recognize a bond that already exists.

We live in a world of joy and fear and we search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder. We discover the truest guide to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes. Love is the eternal force of life. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.

Through Dave and Dave’s love for one another, and Ken and Ted’s love for one another, their lives have become richer and fuller and they are both made stronger. Having found one another and entered into a committed relationship, they have come here to give it special significance by celebrating it here in these beautiful surroundings. This ceremony will not create a relationship; rather, it will reinforce the relationship of equals that already exists. It is a time for declaring vows and intentions and for facing life’s uncertainties with the one thing of which they are certain: their love for one another and their desire for that love to last for eternity.

Dave and Dave, Ken and Ted, you are about to make promises to one another. Today, these vows you are about to share are beautiful words representing even more beautiful intentions. But you will find that as you live these vows over the years, investing your time and your love and your commitment to one another, the happy times of your life will be twice as joyous, because there will always be someone to share those joys with, and when life gets tough, it will only be half as bad, because there will be someone by your side to help carry the burden.

Dave and Dave, Ken and Ted, what you promise today must be renewed tomorrow and each day that stretches before you. That promise includes the greatest responsibilities and the greatest gift. Having carefully considered the seriousness and the joy of this commitment, are you now prepared to commit yourselves in civil union with a full heart and an open hand, each to the other?

Response: We are.

Now that you have declared your intentions, I invite you to share your vows with one another and we will start with Dave and Dave.

Please repeat after me:

Dave:
Dave, today I choose you to be my lifelong partner, and I do it proudly and openly in the presence of these witnesses and God. I promise to love you, to listen to you, to nourish you with my praise, to never take you for granted, to hold you close when you need to be held, to always be open and honest with you and to be your safe haven in this uncertain life. I will be faithful to you always. I take you just as you are, above all others, to share my life. I will love you truly from this moment on and promise this from my heart, with my soul, and until death parts us.

Dave:
Dave, today I choose you to be my lifelong partner, and I do it proudly and openly in the presence of these witnesses and God. I promise to love you, to listen to you, to nourish you with my praise, to never take you for granted, to hold you close when you need to be held, to always be open and honest with you and to be your safe haven in this uncertain life. I will be faithful to you always. I take you just as you are, above all others, to share my life. I will love you truly from this moment on and promise this from my heart, with my soul, and until death parts us.

Ken:
Ted, today I choose you to be my lifelong partner, and I do it proudly and openly in the presence of these witnesses and God. I promise to love you, to listen to you, to nourish you with my praise, to never take you for granted, to hold you close when you need to be held, to always be open and honest with you and to be your safe haven in this uncertain life. I will be faithful to you always. I take you just as you are, above all others, to share my life. I will love you truly from this moment on and promise this from my heart, with my soul, and until death parts us.

Ted:
Ken, today I choose you to be my lifelong partner, and I do it proudly and openly in the presence of these witnesses and God. I promise to love you, to listen to you, to nourish you with my praise, to never take you for granted, to hold you close when you need to be held, to always be open and honest with you and to be your safe haven in this uncertain life. I will be faithful to you always. I take you just as you are, above all others, to share my life. I will love you truly from this moment on and promise this from my heart, with my soul, and until death parts us.

The four of you have chosen rings to symbolize your love and dedication. These rings represent the mutual confession of love you have made here today. Inherent in the ring's symbolism is a spirit of unyielding commitment, heartfelt compassion, and eternal love.

As you place the ring on each other’s finger, please repeat after me, and we will start with Dave and Dave.

Dave:
Dave, I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love. As you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life.

Dave:
Dave, I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love. As you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life.

Ken and Ted, as you place the ring on each other’s finger, please repeat after me:

Ken:
Ted, I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love. As you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life.

Ted:
Ken, I give you this ring as a symbol of my eternal love. As you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life.

In as much as you have at this place and at this time chosen to make this public and legal commitment to each other, therefore truly by the authority vested in me by the beautiful State of Vermont I hereby recognize, certify and celebrate both of these civil unions that has been created by your love.

You may now kiss.