"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These 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 the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These 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.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."

I didn't write this one but I wish I had. Susan and I first heard it at Fleming and Sarah Herring's wedding a few years ago and wanted to suggest it when Anderson married Campbell. They, too, loved this blessing or prayer and they wanted it added to their wedding in 2014. It was the most commented on thing from the ceremony and 30-40 people took the time to say something to me about it. Since I've been to so many great weddings this summer and had so many funny things happen (a few that I could write about and share with you), I thought I'd add something serious (and that I didn't have to write) to the blog this morning (with apologies to Anderson who asks me to please make every post funnier. I'm working on that!). After 36 years of marriage, I can tell you there's a lot of truth in the words of this blessing. I'm adding it here with best wishes to all the newlyweds out there and especially those who are nearest and dearest to Susan and me!