Xi, Ai, bao bei.
Mal & River's wedding ceremony.
Wedding Post.
Comment with full ceremony.
When Mal had caught up to him that day, he just smiled. Sounded like River 'n' Mal-- Just, today, at sunset. No muss, no fuss. He had spent the better part of the afternoon in the kitchen, helping prepare the wedding feast, up to his eyebrows in food. It felt good to be useful, and using his hands to prepare food for a celebration of this crew, a celebration of a happy future together, was a blessing itself. As the sun sank lower, he hastily grabbed his bible and what little notes for the ceremony he had compiled, taking a minute to pray by himself, just him and God, before heading down to the beach.
He stood at the front of the small band of folks with Mal and River, looking at their two smiling faces, their eyes locked and their hands entwined; family and friends stood just past them, in support and affection. He raised his hand to call for quiet, his bible in his hand at his side and a warm smile on his face.
"Welcome, and thank you all for coming here today." He looked down at River and Mal, and was thankful for the second chance the island had given him, allowing him to be there.
"As we join together today to celebrate the joining of these two lives, let us take a moment to reflect on those no longer with us. We remember loved ones back home who are not with us on our new home, and loved ones gone before us, generations of ancestors and family blessing us from hereafter. We remember loved ones who have been here with us, who have been taken home or away, who have, if only for a moment, joined us on our journey." He looked up to the statue of Jayne just at the treeline. "And we give a moment of silence to remember those lost so recently, of whom memory is too sharp and close to bear alone." He bowed his head, pausing in silence.
Book took a renewing breath, opening his eyes to scan across the crowd.
"It is in all of their names that we come together today to join this couple in union. If our time in this place has taught us anything, it is to live in this moment, and with this beating heart. We need to tell each other we love one another, every day. Our time is short, but our love is long; we are here to celebrate that."
"Marriage is a going-forth, a bold step into the future; it is risking what we are for the sake of what we yet can be. Only in giving of oneself and sharing with another can we truly grow to be entirely of ourselves. Only in loyalty and devotion bestowed upon another can that which is eternal be known. Two among us, who have stood apart, come now, in our presence, to declare their love and to be united. Mal and River, it is you’re your love and your affection that you have come to us, your friends and loved ones, to share your joy. Love is a living thing, waiting within each one of us for an awakening touch. May this love grow sure and straight and strong."
The couple whispered their vows to one another, sealing their promises with a kiss. With joy and pride, he looked on with the rest of the assembled guests. Book reached into his pocket, pulling out traditional red envelopes that the bookcase had snuck him a few days ago, and small sachets of tea. He pressed them into their palms, whispering to them, "For good luck."
He stepped back, spreading his hands to quiet the crowd once more. "The Chinese word for marriage, hun-yin, implies not just a joining of individuals, but a relationship between families. We are the family of this couple, and by witnessing these vows, we share in the promise of their future."
"Zhu Ni Men,
Xiang Jing Ru Bin,
Xin Xin XiangYin,
Hua Hao Yue Yuan,
Bai Nian Hao He.
Xi, Ai, bao bei."
"Go now to walk the ways of the world together, and may your days be both good and long upon the earth."
Book smiled fondly, watching the celebrants hugging and kissing, laughing together. This was a good day.
The Chinese wedding blessing:
"A wish for you two:
May you respect each other like honored guests,
May you always see heart to heart like reflections of each other,
May fragrant flowers bloom and full moon shine over your life together,
May your joy and happiness be for ever and more.
Double happiness, love, sweethearts."
Wedding Post.
Comment with full ceremony.
When Mal had caught up to him that day, he just smiled. Sounded like River 'n' Mal-- Just, today, at sunset. No muss, no fuss. He had spent the better part of the afternoon in the kitchen, helping prepare the wedding feast, up to his eyebrows in food. It felt good to be useful, and using his hands to prepare food for a celebration of this crew, a celebration of a happy future together, was a blessing itself. As the sun sank lower, he hastily grabbed his bible and what little notes for the ceremony he had compiled, taking a minute to pray by himself, just him and God, before heading down to the beach.
He stood at the front of the small band of folks with Mal and River, looking at their two smiling faces, their eyes locked and their hands entwined; family and friends stood just past them, in support and affection. He raised his hand to call for quiet, his bible in his hand at his side and a warm smile on his face.
"Welcome, and thank you all for coming here today." He looked down at River and Mal, and was thankful for the second chance the island had given him, allowing him to be there.
"As we join together today to celebrate the joining of these two lives, let us take a moment to reflect on those no longer with us. We remember loved ones back home who are not with us on our new home, and loved ones gone before us, generations of ancestors and family blessing us from hereafter. We remember loved ones who have been here with us, who have been taken home or away, who have, if only for a moment, joined us on our journey." He looked up to the statue of Jayne just at the treeline. "And we give a moment of silence to remember those lost so recently, of whom memory is too sharp and close to bear alone." He bowed his head, pausing in silence.
Book took a renewing breath, opening his eyes to scan across the crowd.
"It is in all of their names that we come together today to join this couple in union. If our time in this place has taught us anything, it is to live in this moment, and with this beating heart. We need to tell each other we love one another, every day. Our time is short, but our love is long; we are here to celebrate that."
"Marriage is a going-forth, a bold step into the future; it is risking what we are for the sake of what we yet can be. Only in giving of oneself and sharing with another can we truly grow to be entirely of ourselves. Only in loyalty and devotion bestowed upon another can that which is eternal be known. Two among us, who have stood apart, come now, in our presence, to declare their love and to be united. Mal and River, it is you’re your love and your affection that you have come to us, your friends and loved ones, to share your joy. Love is a living thing, waiting within each one of us for an awakening touch. May this love grow sure and straight and strong."
The couple whispered their vows to one another, sealing their promises with a kiss. With joy and pride, he looked on with the rest of the assembled guests. Book reached into his pocket, pulling out traditional red envelopes that the bookcase had snuck him a few days ago, and small sachets of tea. He pressed them into their palms, whispering to them, "For good luck."
He stepped back, spreading his hands to quiet the crowd once more. "The Chinese word for marriage, hun-yin, implies not just a joining of individuals, but a relationship between families. We are the family of this couple, and by witnessing these vows, we share in the promise of their future."
"Zhu Ni Men,
Xiang Jing Ru Bin,
Xin Xin XiangYin,
Hua Hao Yue Yuan,
Bai Nian Hao He.
Xi, Ai, bao bei."
"Go now to walk the ways of the world together, and may your days be both good and long upon the earth."
Book smiled fondly, watching the celebrants hugging and kissing, laughing together. This was a good day.
The Chinese wedding blessing:
"A wish for you two:
May you respect each other like honored guests,
May you always see heart to heart like reflections of each other,
May fragrant flowers bloom and full moon shine over your life together,
May your joy and happiness be for ever and more.
Double happiness, love, sweethearts."