After reading "
Rise Into Love," many people have written asking if they may read this passage at the wedding for somebody they care about. To every person who has this heartfelt response, I am deeply honored for your connection to this work and am grateful to support you in sharing it with your loved ones. You may use it under two conditions: First, is that it is not modified in any way (except for my recommendation below to use their real names) and secondly is that I am acknowledged as the author. That said, just remember to make the following minor changes and you're good to go! :) Instead of wife/husband in the following paragraph, use the actual names of the bride and groom (or bride/bride or groom/groom if appropriate):
You may think you came together in marriage for specific reasons. Perhaps because BRIDE'S NAME is compassionate, playful, and generous. Or because GROOM'S NAME is a true romantic who balances the gifts and needs of family with being a caring and attentive partner.
Secondly, you may replace the 3 qualities "compassionate, playful, and generous" with the qualities of the bride you most admire, and the "true romantic who balances the gifts and needs of family with being a caring and attentive partner" with the qualities of the groom that you most admire. This will give the reading a more personalized feel, while still staying true to its essence.