It’s so easy to get caught up in the pretty images, details and practicalities of planning a wedding that we can forget about the marriage part beyond the big day… the deep and meaningful stuff such as the love, companionship, compromises and lifelong promises we make to each other. So I thought I would share one of my favorite parts of my wedding… the hand blessing during our ceremony. Hands are considered to be a connection to the heart, and a hand blessing symbolically brings two hearts together. These words still make me cry when I try to read them out loud.

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.