Hand Ceremony for Children

“Sherri and Tom, please face each other and hold your hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and all the days of your life.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Terry, Susan and Jeff, please hold your parents’ hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. [we’ll all move to new positions]

These are the hands of your parents, strong and full of love for you, that you are holding on their wedding day, as they promise to love each other and to love you today, tomorrow, and all the days of your life.

These are the hands that have chosen each other and have also chosen you that you may all join together as one family.

Terry, Sherri is asking that you be a part of her life forever, to love you as a mother loves a son, not to replace your mom, but to love you with a mother’s lasting commitment and love.

Susan and Jeff, Tom is asking that you be a part of his life forever, to love you as a father loves his children, not to replace your dad, but to love you with a father’s lasting commitment and love.

These are the hands that will honor and respect you. These are the hands that will provide for you to the best of their ability.

These are the hands that will care for you and make your home a haven, where trust, love and laughter are abundant.

These are the hands that will be there to hug you when you need support, comfort you when you are sick, and cheer for you as you accomplish your goals. These are the hands that will wave goodbye to you as you leave to begin your lives on your own and these are the hands that will welcome you home as you return.

These hands are to be honored and respected and not taken for granted as they will serve you long and hard with a love that only a Parent can give.

Now, Sherri and Tom, please hold Terry, Susan and Jeff’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your children that you are holding on your wedding day, each a gift from God. These are the hands that will love and respect you all the days of your life.

These are the hands that will fill your life with laughter and make you proud that you are their parents. These are the hands that will share in making your house a home filled with happiness.

These are the hands that will often challenge you as they search for independence, but will always respect you as they grow into maturity.

These are the hands that will reach to you for guidance and will honor you by growing into respectful and caring adults.

These are the hands that will learn to parent from you.

These are the hands that will care for you when you are old and let you know that you have not been forgotten.

These five hands represent a family that has come together as an unexpected blessing from God. This family places its trust in God and will continue to grow in His Love.”