Patri and I will be putting up a web page with pictures and the full ceremony soon. But for now, our declarations ;)

Shannon:

Patri,

The first time I met you I knew you were special. It was the only time I'd ever met someone my age who understood what they were talking about when discussing my area of study. You expressed points of view similar to my own, had a great sense of humor, and even played keep away with an empty plastic bottle in the Jacuzzi with me ;)

I love how you're always excited about something or other and soak up knowledge. I also admire how you make things happen. Writing a book in your free time, working for an exciting and inspirational company, even flying people fifty feet up in the air with giant helium balloons. And I love how you manage to keep your head level through it all, never losing your sense of enjoyment of life and always playing.

I love how you strive to be both ethical and rational. That you have a kind heart but also try hard to make things happen well. I love that you're so accepting of me and that you don't feel the need to control other people. How you accept life for what it is and work to make things better.

And together I think you and I add to each other's lives. You help me relax and enjoy life, and I help keep you centered and safe. We provide each other with acceptance and support, to live the way we want to, a way in which we strive to be ethical, rational, and fun. We help each other seek fulfillment, and to also be alert to appreciate the here and now. And now, here we are ;). Let's have fun!

Patri:

Shannon: When we decided that we would give these declarations and talk about what we loved about each another, you asked if it would be hard for me to write one. 'Absolutely', I said. 'It's going to be hard to keep it short! [beat] Heck, that'll be hard for you too!..Right?'. And you laughed, and that made me happy. I like to make you laugh, and I like to make you happy, and the quest to do so adds joy to my life.

I love your honesty and your playfulness. I admire your dedication to things you enjoy, like mastering Rachmaninoff, analyzing psychology, or mentoring your piano students. And you have shown true dedication and perhaps insanity by enthusiastically agreeing to bear little children like us - a task whose terror, horror, and joy a number of people here today can attest to.

I deeply appreciate your willingness to accept me completely. You don't just tolerate my quirks, you embrace them. You help me understand myself better. You argue with me when I'm wrong, and occasionally when I'm right, and sometimes just for fun.

Perhaps most importantly, we share an open and analytical attitude. We're both willing to entertain any idea, whether its conventionally considered obvious or obviously absurd, learn about it, consider it on its merits, and then embrace or reject it, depending on our analysis. Well, I've learned that being together is necessary and sufficient for our happiness, so it doesn't take much analysis to see that the conventional course of marriage is correct. Let's embrace it!