Jackie (l.) and Shannon (r.) were married overlooking the valley west of Arlington (WA) this past Thursday in a simple ceremony attended by about a dozen of their friends and family.  I enjoyed meeting this fun couple and doing the honors at their wedding.  Congratulations, Jackie & Shannon!

Sometimes couples run off to Las Vegas to get married.  Certainly that has some advantages, like no waiting period for the license and the likes of Captain Kirk or Elvis as officiants.  But that wasn't the case as Kathy and Rick married on April 30th at a beautiful home east of Woodinville.  The living room, reaturing a grand fireplace, is where a few family members gathered to give their blessing.  The groom's son, as a surprise gift from Kathy to Rick, was flown out from Washington DC where he serves in our country's military.

So, where will the happy newlyweds be living?  Las Vegas, of course.

By the way, if you are noticing the name badge on Rick's chest, it says, "Rick's HDL."  You actually might see this one coming; it stands for "Rick's Honey Do List!"

Love is an amazing thingas it takes two people who have traveled different paths and brought them together as soulmates.  Such is the story of Deby and Rick whom I married in a short ceremony in front of a handful of loving family members. Their home is on Panther Lake and the day was absolutely perfect on their back deck.

Congratulations to this lovely couple!

I had an enjoyable day on Friday, May 20th when I traveled out the Big Rock Road out of Duvall to an outskirts-of-Carnation address in some beautifully wooded country.  Cassi and Kevin, both from Gold Bar, were married at a family home in a beautiful park-like setting.  They had selected a "hand fasting" ceremony as a symbol of their marriage, where I would ask them to affirm their faith and commitment to each other while wrapping a ribbon around their joined hands.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, I literally "tied the knot" and offered a prayer of blessing.

Congratulations to Cassi and Kevin!

Jericho Daniels called me up a few weeks ago and told me about her fiancee Justin Matulka working in the fishing industry in Alaska.  She said they hoped to get married this weekend.  In the ensuing days, we put together a plan for this morning in my home chapel.  At first they were going to have just two witnesses, but soon the list expanded somewhat.  What I met this morning was a very delightful couple and several wonderful family members.

In our brief ceremony, I reminded them of the importance of respect in a growing marriage.  After a very brief honeymoon night near the airport, Justin will be flying off to Dutch Harbor, AK to work in a fish processing vessel.

Wishing the very best to our newest wedding couple, Jericho and Justin.

Seattlephiles will quickly recognize that in the background is Alki Point and Elliott Bay.  Fewer, though, have experienced the view from the historic Smith Tower, particularly the Chinese Room on the 35th floor of what used to be the tallest building west of the Mississippi.

The view is worth flying from Indiana for, for that's exactly what Amy and Scott did.  Knowing that there is a three-day waiting period, the couple downloaded the marriage license application, had their signatures notarized then overnighted the parcel to King County last week.  I picked up the license for them awaiting their arrival for their Monday wedding, license valid and ready to go.

The ceremony was fun and meaningful; I reminded them to have the kind of love our Maker has for us in seeking the best for each other.  In the picture, the couple sits in the Emperor's Chair.

The romance started at a New Years party, and it continues with a great milestone on March 28th as Amy Swartzell and Robert McCollum married in Bothell in the afternoon.  They had many close family on hand to lend their blessing to the glad occasion.  Here, the bride and groom are flanked by Amy's sister Heather and Robert's brother Larry.

During the ceremony, I reminded them that love and growth are a product of forgiveness and respect.  We wish them every success in their marriage!

This afternoon, I received a phone call from a delightful young lady named Kara.  Living in Sultan, WA (just a few miles from my Monroe home), she asked if she and her intended could get married soon, perhaps at my home chapel.  I told her this was certainly something I'd like to do for them, asking if they could provide two witnesses.  Kara said she'd call me back shortly, and shortly she did.  We set up a wedding for five hours later at 7:00 PM.

Kara and groom Brody arrived several minutes early.  Quickly they were joined by the groom's brother and sister-in-law, Toby and Brandy; then the bride's parents, Edwin and Karrie.

Brody serves our country in the US Air Force, currently at Fairchild AFB near Spokane.  Kara is an ambitious student who is enrolled in two schools.  At their ceremony, I encouraged them to remember that patience with an imperfect person is a hallmark of a good marriage, since each of them was marrying someone who was imperfect and, worse yet, each of their spouses was marrying an imperfect person!

Congratulations to Kara and Brody as they begin their married life together.  I'm so glad I could accommodate their request this afternoon.

Monday evening we met at 8:00 PM in my living room.  Though Layne was a witness of sorts, at 10 weeks the couple's son was too young to sign the marriage certificate.  Two of the other four witnesses had that duty.

It was fun for me this afternoon to meet Laurel Anderson and Toby "TJ" Howard.  Practically neighbors, they live less than a mile from me.  I enjoyed fielding an inquiry from Laurel this past week wondering if a small ceremony could be arranged for 6:00 PM Sunday.  Of course, my answer was Yes