Robbie to Maria: You and I use the word “adventure” a lot. Sometimes it is used when talking about going on grand travels to new places, while other times it is used when we go to a new bar. That word is even used when we talk about doing something simple such as taking an evening trip to Lowe’s so that Toby can sniff around. Writing this message got me thinking more and more on the word adventure and how it pertains to our relationship. So that is the theme I am going to run with. I think when most people (us included most times) hear the word “adventure” they think of a physical travel to some distant location. But for me, as time has gone on, when I think of that word, I think of not only physical journeys, but also the emotional ones. In our adventures, we have made the summit to some high peaks both physically and emotionally. We have physically been to 12,000 ft elevations to see glacial lakes, we have camped on edges of cliffs overlooking vast stretches of forest, and we have watched the sun set from the top of South Mountain. We have also shared in the emotional highs: moving in together, moving across the country, and even this day celebrating with our friends and family. And at other times, our adventures have taken us into some physical and emotional canyons. We have been into the Grand Canyon, gorges in Kentucky, and lava tubes. But we have also ventured into the emotional canyons such as a ski accident and the ensuing road to recovery, a global pandemic where we spent A TON of time indoors together, and the loss of loved ones (your grandpa and my aunt). Through these peaks and valleys, I cannot imagine any other person I would want to be with. Your humor, honesty, intelligence, kindness, empathy, newly found appreciation of safety, and your strength are on display during all these adventures, and I am left in a state of constant admiration. These qualities inspire me and enable me to be the best I can be. With that being said, and in the spirit of adventuring, I do have some vows:  When your hardware hurts after a day of adventuring, I’ll help ease the pain.  When you’re mentally drained, I’ll help you recharge any way that I can.  When you’re excited about something that I know nothing about, I will be your cheerleader.  When you get blisters on your feet from hiking, I will carry your pack pack.  When you’re cold, I will let you put your icy feet under me…sometimes.  When you’re not hungry, I will still offer a bit of my food, snack, or drink because I know as soon as I start eating, you’ll want some. (even though you said no when I asked earlier). But finally, and in all seriousness, I promise to continue to go on and support you in the physical and emotional journeys. Together, we will summit the peaks, venture into the canyons, and we will visit every elevation in between. I love you.

Maria to Robbie: Robbie, you are the man who has given me the world. The person who has made me feel safe, loved, and comfortable in my own skin. you are the one who sat next to me in my many different hospital beds, the one who gave me foot massages and sat with me as I sobbed my way through recovery, and as I learned to walk again. The one who kept me breathing and eating and alive. You are the one that makes the everyday moments of life better, with your juvenile sense of humor, and perfect sense of adventure. You are the one who always does the dishes because you know there are few things I hate more. You encourage me to rest, and plan adventures, and get out of the house. I am so proud of the person you are, and the work you have done to become even better. I am so lucky to have a life partner like you. I vow to never go off a ski jump again, I vow to always point out old cars when we're driving, and let you buy as many shit box Chevys as our house can hold, I vow to give you a 20 min warning before bringing home a new dog. I vow to walk Toby (and any new puppers I bring home) in the mornings when you want to sleep in. I vow to continue our life long work of communication, openness, and vulnerability, because we really do have something special. I vow to encourage you to take care of yourself, go on adventures even if I cant come along, and I vow to help you find new projects to work on when you're grumpy. from Legos to old rusty cars. Lastly I vow to love you, and to continue to keep on letting you know I love you every day.

Welcome family, friends, and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the marriage of Robbie and Maria. Thank you for being here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow them to start their married life together surrounded by people they love. Marriage is one of the greatest and most challenging adventures of human relationships. No ceremony can create it; only through love and patience, dedication and perseverance, talking and listening, helping and supporting, apologizing and forgiving, can such a relationship be built. What we do in this ceremony is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together. And we do affirm your choice, especially Melissa who I believe claims full credit for today. As your community, we’ve noticed the ways you celebrate shared interests while encouraging differences, even when it means another Lego set. We’ve seen Robbie’s steadfast and gentle presence during Maria’s horrific injuries in 2018, even when he himself was afraid and unsure. We’ve seen you challenge and change each other – Maria now plans vacations on Excel spreadsheets, which I didn’t think was compatible with Beelen DNA. We’ve had moments when we knew the two of you were a beautiful match. Melissa from your first meal at FOMO, and Dan when Robbie said “Hey, I can work on the Jeep with you!” Weddings may be the ultimate grand gesture, but Robbie and Maria know that it is in fact the small acts of everyday care for one another that truly bind us together. No one understands that better than dogs, and so a few wise words from Toby before your vows. “Never pass up the opportunity for a joy ride together. When loved ones come home, run up to greet them; don’t hide your excitement. Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory. Take naps together. Run, romp, and play daily. Be loyal; sometimes you will go to bed angry, but it’s about coming back to try again day after day. Accept loving attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. No matter how often you’re scolded, run right back in and make friends. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk together. Forgive, again and again.”