Wedding Vows Written for
Cara & Michael
Cara and Michael’s story and photos were published in the Worldwide blog, “Gray Likes Weddings!” Denise was honored to write and officiate their ceremony as they were surrounded by their nearest and dearest at the scenic Peconic Bay Yacht Club on the North Fork of Long Island. Read the joyous ceremony below.
i carry your heart with me
by e. e. cummings
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
The words of this beautiful reading – I carry your heart with me – hold special meaning for Cara and Michael – for it describes a huge part of their special Love Story…..
They met in the summer of 2015 when Cara was visiting from Chicago with her dear friends for a Delta Gamma girls’ weekend in Long Beach, New York.
Cara and her friends, Marissa, Brooke and Kelly were all hanging out by the pool when Marissa’s then boyfriend/now husband Joey and his friend Michael visited. Michael helped Joey grill the steaks by the pool before the girls headed into the city.
Cara and Michael struck up conversation about the “Windy City” when Michael mentioned to Cara that he was heading out there the following month for a guys’ weekend with his friends.
When Michael and the crew arrived at their hotel the next month their eyes feasted upon one dozen of Chicago’s best donuts – hand delivered by Cara earlier that morning.
Michael extended his stay in Chicago after that weekend was over and he and Cara enjoyed a delicious meal and much laughter.
But – the icing on the cake was when Michael insisted on bringing a “doggie bag” filled with beef filet for Cara’s precious pup Maddie.
Michael instantly won Maddie’s heart and Cara’s too… and as they say… the rest is their history.
And so it started – an exciting, romantic courtship whose story will be told in the generations to follow; a courtship that involved eighteen flights in seven months linking them between New York and Chicago.
During those trips they shared their favorite parts of their hometowns: day trips to the beach and ballgames, boat tours and museums, delicious dinners and fun cocktails.
But – what they really shared was the knowledge that during those visits time was of the essence and each moment that passed when they weren’t together made them more aware.
It allowed their hearts to feel safe enough to open so that their truest selves were able to step out and be completely and honestly who they are – and – they then each unveiled the best part of the other.
Cara discovered Michael’s patience, strength and support when it was needed. He is her guiding light in good and bad times.
Cara is Michael’s number one support and inspiration in life; she encourages him to excel.
They became engaged last year in February when Michael surprised Cara and Maddie with a birthday staycation. The suite was filled with roses, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne – and the ring! – and when Michael proposed right there in the suite that was located above the Wabash Bridge where they had shared their first kiss – Cara said Yes!
Cara and Michael, you have waited for each other and your amazing friends helped you find one another.
It has been said that “Falling in love isn’t like falling at all. It is walking – walking in to a house and suddenly knowing you are home.”
Cara and Michael your hearts and souls have come home.
