Oren

Carl Sagan once said about his wife Ann Druyan that he had always thought of their love as a "kind of religion." He said it was not supernatural or preordained but instead something to trust in, something to honor, something to cherish, and not take for granted. Like a religion our love has its hallowed origin story, beginning with the most duplicitous lie I've ever convinced myself: that I was emotionally unavailable on October 11, 2022.

We met completely without pretense, like how the nitrogen in our DNA and the rocks at Moab merged to build the blueprint for the fortuitous bond we've built together. Almost instinctually it was like our psychic energy immediately recognized the natural progression of our future together. Since then, we've traveled over 10,000 miles (of course I did the math)... and stabbed each other in the ass 110 times over 800 days with the intent to mold our future as we see fit.

Standing with you today reminds me of the last time we were here in Seabeck at that wood firing, with the excitement to be here performing a historic and wholly human tradition with you. Using the clay metaphor, sometimes it feels like we have been taming wet and clotted mud, still every day ends with the beauty we're able to mold together. For almost 800 days we've centered ourselves and leaned into the alchemy of moving from strangers, to lovers, to committed life partners.

Sagan also said that rituals are, among other things, tools that help us process change. It is true that the only thing assured in this universe is change, defined by the second law of thermodynamics as entropy. Marriage is a fusion and a fight against this physical truth. With an attentive potter's touch we can shape and mold our two individual natures to a renewed reason for living, an evolutionary purpose.

It's said that we're the universe experiencing itself, and it's with this in mind that every atom in "every lot" is so lucky to be shared the joy your company brings me in the boundless expanse.

That said, I promise:

• to fight over who loves the other more, every time

• to give you the space to grow on your own and to do the work to grow with you

• to protect you from harm and stand by you in times of trouble

• to remind you that you're capable of anything

• to center our relationship every day

Iphis

They say you always find love when you least expect it and it think that was true for you and I, But from the first moments I was myself with you, you were so easy to talk to, be with and listen to, I thought you were captivating, everything about you felt like an invitation to lean in.

Our love is joyful, playful, restful and secure. I’m so blessed to start my days in the sheets with two arguably huge dogs and you.

Your green eyes captivate me, they tell me so much without a word on your lips.

When we had only been together a few days you booked us flights to ny in February and it was only October, you had so much faith and hope that we would make it that long, I was so nervous to trust it to let my guard down, but oh my dear Oren I’m so grateful I did.

I held onto the first I love you for as long as I could. A mire 30 days after we met, I remember those musicans coming up to us the night we began sharing love telling us that our love was palpable and they could see it on our faces as they played. We’ve been lucky to hear how visible our love is by many, and it’s a miracle to know that it isn’t simply what others see it is so much deeper and vast than they could imagine.

I delight In you.

Drew said the first night I brought you to kareoke, ‘so you went away for the weekend and came back in love?’ I blushed and lied and said not yet. But throughout the trip all that weekend I thought , I can’t wait to love you.

And boy oh boy do I love you.

I love your heart, and your steadfast loyalty. I love the way you light up when you look at me. I love that I always know what’s on your mind because there is not a secret between us. I love the way you think, and make choices. I love how patient you are when i have no idea what direction we’re going. I love that you support me in my artwork and believe in my dreams. I love that I feel safe with you. I love that you’re so green, so golden and completely yourself. You’re so beautiful to me. Im so often breath taken by you. I love how are bodies fit perfectly together, I love the wave of calm I feel when we hug at the end of our day. I love getting to be myself with you.

I’m so excited to be with you forever to have you by my side, my big brave fierce partner. And now I’ll share my promises for our future together.

• I vow to listen until you feel heard

• I vow to cook for you and make ‘exactly what you wanted’

• I vow to be honest and trustworthy

• I vow to be your place of comfort and rest

• I vow to witness your life and be present with you

• I vow to partake in your joy every day

• I vow to keep track of the tides and listen as you teach me about the world

• I vow to wake up with you when your have nightmares and hold you when they’re rough

• I vow to indulge your sweet tooth

• I vow to give you every shot so we can continue to become ourselves together

• I vow to see you, all that you are

• I vow to be curious with you, about you and about the world as we move through it

• I vow to let my guard down, be vulnerable and heal with you

• I vow for ours to be a relationship focused on repair, to always make space our growth and connection

• I vow to be on your side, loyal through everything