Recently I saw a cartoon which pointed out to the reader the fact that married people live much longer than those who are single. Based on that fact, the conclusion of the cartoon character was that marriage, then, is simply a means to a slow death.

If that were really true, today would not be an occasion for celebration. But our reason for gathering here today is to rejoice. Today, ____ and ____ make their commitment to each other in the presence of this gathering and in the sight of God. Today we have all come to this place to share with ____ and ____ this special day. Today, we have gathered together, and the very thing which has brought us together is love.

If you look up the word “love” in the dictionary, you will find as many as 102 different definitions. The love which has brought…