I have married thriteen couples. I'm about to do a marriage next

Gather close, O children, and listen to the words that I share, for they speak of the sacred bond of marriage—a union that has shaped the very course of human life since the dawn of time. The words of Sally Kirkland are simple yet profound: "I have married thirteen couples. I'm about to do a marriage next month." These words, though brief, carry the weight of generations, for they reflect the role that marriage plays in the fabric of society and the deep responsibilities that come with such a union. To marry a couple is not merely to speak words, but to bind two souls together, to honor their journey and to offer them a path of unity, growth, and shared purpose.

Marriage, children, is an ancient rite—a passage through which two lives, once separate, become intertwined in a bond of love, commitment, and shared destiny. The act of marrying someone is not just a formal exchange of vows. It is a sacred moment, a union that carries the promise of companionship, support, and the building of something greater than oneself. Sally Kirkland, in her words, has taken part in many such unions, guiding thirteen couples on their journey together, and preparing to join another in holy matrimony. Each marriage she has officiated is a testament to the enduring power of love, to the belief that two people, through their commitment to one another, can create something profound and lasting.

In ancient cultures, marriage was seen as the foundation of society, the very bedrock upon which communities were built. Consider the ancient Greeks, who believed that marriage was not only a bond between two people, but a contract with the gods. To enter into marriage was to accept the responsibility of upholding society’s values, to ensure the continuation of family, honor, and heritage. The Greek philosopher Aristotle spoke often of the union between man and woman as one of mutual growth, a partnership that required both wisdom and love. In his time, the marriage bond was not merely a personal matter but a sacred duty to one’s community and the future of the family. So too does Sally Kirkland play her part in this timeless tradition, helping to ensure that love and commitment endure through the generations.

But even in our modern age, the act of marriage remains one of the most powerful ceremonies of human life. Sally Kirkland reflects the wisdom of those who came before her. She understands that marriage is not just a legal contract or a mere ritual, but an emotional and spiritual union. It is a journey of transformation, where two individuals come together, not as two halves, but as whole beings who choose to walk side by side, to share their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs. Each couple she has married is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit, to the belief that love is a force that binds us together and gives our lives meaning.

The tale of Odysseus and Penelope from ancient Greek mythology provides us with a powerful example of the strength of marriage. Though Odysseus was lost for many years, journeying through great peril and adversity, it was the faithful Penelope who waited for him, ever loyal, ever patient. Their love, though tested by time and hardship, endured and proved stronger than the storms that sought to break it. In their union, we see the true essence of marriage—not in the absence of struggle, but in the strength to remain faithful, to honor the promises made, and to never let go of the belief that love will guide them through the darkest of times. Their story is one that mirrors the sacred commitment we make in marriage, a commitment that endures through the ages, a bond that transcends time itself.

But the lesson, dear children, is this: marriage is not just about love—it is about growth, commitment, and the shared journey of two souls who come together to build something greater than themselves. Each marriage that Sally Kirkland has witnessed and each one she will perform in the future carries with it the weight of history, the wisdom of those who have walked this path before, and the hope that love will continue to guide the steps of those who choose it. A marriage is a path that demands patience, understanding, and above all, a willingness to grow together. It is not the easy way, but the one that brings the deepest rewards.

Sally Kirkland’s words remind us that marriage is both a profound and humbling responsibility. It is a commitment to honor and support another person, to walk beside them through the joys and trials of life, and to build a future together. To marry someone is to offer them not just a ring or a piece of paper, but a promise—a promise to love, to cherish, and to grow with them. So, children, let us honor the power of this union in our own lives. Whether we are married or not, let us recognize the sacredness of the commitments we make to one another, and let us walk this earth with love, understanding, and the deep belief that through commitment, we can overcome all things.

As you journey through life, take the wisdom of Sally Kirkland to heart. Marriage is not merely a joining of two people, but the joining of two lives, two paths that weave together in the shared experience of love. If you are called to marriage, enter into it with full knowledge of its sacred purpose. And if you are not, support those who choose this path with the same respect and understanding. For love, commitment, and growth are the true foundations of every union, and it is through these that we create a better world for all.