Reading Rainbow

Much like my epic search for our invitation wording (y'all remember that, right?) my search for the perfect ceremony reading was a wild ride. Obviously "wild" is a relative term in this case.

After searching Weddingbee threads and posts, Googling "wedding ceremony readings" and yep, you guessed it, the Kvetch section of indiebride, I found something that I absolutely adore. Wanna read it?

Love, by Roy Croft

I love you,
Not only for what you are,
But for what I am
When I am with you.

I love you,
Not only for what
You have made of yourself,
But for what
You are making of me.

I love you
For the part of me
That you bring out.

I love you
For putting your hand
Into my heaped-up heart
And passing over
All the foolish, weak things
That you can’t help
Dimly seeing there,
And for drawing out
Into the light
All the beautiful belongings
That no one else had looked
Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you
Are helping me to make
Of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern
But a temple;
Out of the works
Of my every day
Not a reproach
But a song.*

I love you
Because you have done
More than any creed
Could have done
To make me good
And more than any fate
Could have done
To make me happy.
You have done it
Without a touch,
Without a word,
Without a sign.
You have done it
By being yourself.
Perhaps that is what
Being a friend means,
After all.*

  

I can't even describe why I'm drawn to it, I just *am*. I like that it has a sense of "realism" so to speak. It's not overly sappy, but it's still romantic. I like that it's simple and straightforward. Basically, I like it because it has all of the elements that our relationship has: romance, simplicity, honesty, realism, etc. It's uncomplicated, kind of like us.

My beautiful friend and bridesmaid Despina is reading it during the ceremony and I know she is going to do a fantastic job.

 Ain't she purty?

 Are you having any readings during your ceremony? What are they and what drew you to them?

*The italicized parts we will not be using, but I wanted to include them here in case anyone is interested in the full poem.