This is an actual sample of one of our recent Love Stories. The names and places have been altered to protect the innocent. Your own actual Love Story will vary greatly.

Before I turn the microphone over for this evening's toasts, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you all just a little bit about how we came to be here today. The story of boy meets girl, falling in love, and ever after has been told over the ages... and no two are ever alike. Tonight we celebrate the Love Story of John & Mary Smith, and are proud to share it with you now.

When we asked John & Mary "why you love each other" she said, "I am so blessed that God brought him into my life. I love him for the person he is, he is my best friend, willing to be there for me and someone I have fun with". John says "I have found my soul mate, Mary makes me feel wonderful and content in so many ways". Just look at them, this is a truly incredible couple just made for each other.

So how does a boy from *** and a girl from ***, that are perfect for each other, actually meet? Scary as it may seem, it would have absolutely never happened except for fate...and fate goes by the name of *** ***. *** is the common link and friend between John & Mary, and this is how it happened.

Mary graduated from *** University with a BBA in 2000. For a few of her summer jobs she sold books in the Dallas, Texas area. This is where she met ***, and they became very good friends.

***, our "connection", went on and graduated with a degree in education and guess where she did her student teaching! Of course it was at *** High School where John Smith had been teaching German for about 15 years. John & *** became colleagues and friends and as the semester was coming to an end, *** and her new husband ***, made plans to move back to the *** area. John had been through some tough personal times, but some time had past now and *** decided before she left she better follow her instincts and tell him about a great girl she wanted him to meet. Nothing like cutting things close, it was the day before graduation and maybe her last chance. So she asked him, "John, are you ready to get back into the game?" He didn't get what she meant..."are you ready to date again?" She told him about Mary and assured him that she would not be setting him up with a "dog"! He wisely agreed to meet Mary. Then *** called Mary and asked if her ears were burning, and filled her in. They were both invited over to dinner at *** & ***'s house the next Sunday June 10th.

John traveled across Wisconsin from *** to *** ... not knowing that this would be the first of many, many, many, many trips. This is how John describes the first meeting, " It was a nice moment. She was wearing a red top and tan skirt. Her smile was wonderful. I felt very much as ease after some initial nervousness." Mary also was nervous... She said, "it was a blind date...but after just talking with John awhile I felt very comfortable and interested in finding our more about him". They had a great evening and John asked if they could get together again the next day, which was Monday. He spent the night at *** & ***'s. Mary had to work the next day but they made plans to meet afterwards. John had the choice of meeting Mary in downtown *** or at Mary's condo in the suburbs. John picked the condo and skipped the metro driving...being a country boy that worked best. They ended up going for a drive, for some 2 1⁄2 hours around the lake and talking the whole time...they found all the rustic roads and enjoying the beautiful homes and lake views. This activity turned out to be something they both liked to do. Then soon found there way to *** and stopped at The *** for beer and pizza. John, the German teacher, was impressed when Mary ordered Hackershore, a German beer...and she liked only sausage and cheese on her pizza... the first indications of a match made in heaven!

They must have really made a great impression on each other because after that night they spent almost every weekend and every holiday together. Near the end of July, Mary went up to *** and met John's family and got to see the log home he was building in the country. The house was already started before they met. They showed Mary around the house. She made a comment about the beautiful view of the valley from the upstairs dormers...John, his dad, and the contractor had not even thought about dormers, but the idea was perfect for this house...and the 3 men got right on that change the very next day. After that Mary added some other woman's touch suggestions and she and John worked together on ideas and decisions for the lighting, cabinets, flooring and lots of finishing touches.

The summer of 2007 they saw in each other qualities they both loved and admired... and were seeking each other as a life partner. If you asked John how he feels when he is with Mary, he says, "I feel like I am the luckiest man on planet earth. I know that sounds cliché, but it is so very true...it feels awesome". Mary says, "I feel happy, secure...things just feel right".

One day in September, sort of out of the blue, John brought up the topic of maybe getting engaged. Since Mary had been working in the *** area for *** since 2004, that comment made her a bit nervous and stressed with thought of relocating and finding a different job. Then John asked, "Well if we were going to "do this" what kind of ring would you like?" All Mary said was round and white gold. Well, that's all a guy needs isn't it?

John was about to put his plan into motion. It was early October just last year when John bought her engagement ring. Just like the description, round and white gold, it was stunningly beautiful. He then arranged a visit with Mary's parents to ask for her hand. They gave him a warm and loving reception and said yes.

So, on the day of the first big snowstorm last winter...you probably all still remember it vividly...Dec. 1st, the cold, the snow, the freezing rain, the ice, the warnings to stay off the highways...John & Mary started out on a drive from *** to ***. Part of John's grand plan was to pop the question on the bank of The *** River overlooking the beautiful Christmas lights. But, their friend *** called on the cell and squashed that plan, she said the roads were really terrible and they should turn around. John had to quick come up with a plan B! So he announced that he wanted to go to the log house and check on the drywall. The weather was getting nastier by the minute and Mary just wanted to get back to *** and just hunker down for the night...at this point to say the least, she was not in a very happy mood. When John & Mary arrived at the log house they went in, but John had to make an excuse to go outside to check on something or other...but actually he had to get the ring out of the wrappings for the grand presentation. So, John hid under the deck, in the driving snow and sleet, and prepared for the big moment. Once back inside, as they were standing in the middle of their open concept house, with the snow falling outside...John told Mary how much he loved her and that he wanted to marry her. He was so nervous. Well after Mary said yes, John remembered the ring...and asked her...Oh, would you like to see your ring. It was exactly what she wanted, and round and white gold never looked so spectacular...John, you did good. Mary likes to say now that they got engaged in the middle of a snowstorm, in the middle of a construction site.

All that happiness and excitement was enough encouragement to brave the snow storm and drive to *** to share the news with John's parents, then ended up making it to *** and then to *** that same weekend to share the news with Mary's parents.

Over the next few months they planned this lovely wedding and in March started to move all of Mary's things to their new home near ***...And Mary recently started a new position as a financial planner for a firm in ***.

When asked what they are looking forward to the most about being married, Mary said, "Waking up next to him, taking day trips, laughing with him at stupid things. Just having a best friend to go through life with". John said "I am looking forward to living life with Mary and if it's in the cards raising a family with her. I look forward to quiet evenings on our porch watching the sun go down. What ever the challenges, we will make it".

So now ladies & gentlemen, here they are today...surrounded by all of you, their dearest friends and family, to share in their happiness, to witness the beginning of their life together and to celebrate with them this incredible day. Please stand and join me in expressing your love and congratulations to John & Mary Smith, as they begin their new life journey together.