After perusing several "write your own vows" sites, we came up with our own, very short and simple ceremony. First, we had the wedding party process down the "aisle."

• Tom's grandmother Lillian Dege and his sister Jean.
• Tom's parents Lou and JoAnn.
• Tom.
• Yoshiko and Debi.

We asked our friends Drew Lundsten, John Schmidt, and Brian Patterson to share in the responsibility of "marrying" us by each reading a short part of the ceremony.

Drew: Dear friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love. Marriage is an adventure in the dearest of human relationships, and today we share the first moments of Debi and Tom's journey together.

Brian: Debi and Tom, may you always treat each other with kindness and respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the understanding, cooperation, and tenderness that your marriage deserves.

John: If each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness. Tom and Debi, do you take each other as husband and wife?

Tom & Debi: We do.

Tom: With this ring, I take you as my wife ...

Debi: And with this ring, I take you as my husband ...

Tom & Debi: And I promise my love to you for as long as we both shall live.

After our first kiss, we launched right into our first dance ("It Had To Be You" by Harry Connick Jr.) while everyone had fun blowing bubbles at us.