Strandell-Traughber Wedding
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time and for always, Mr. and Mrs. Traughber!
A friend’s country estate provided the stunning setting for Justin and Megan to unite in marriage. The sun was shining on this gorgeous fall day for the celebration of a lifetime. The closest of friends and family were in attendance and radiated such love for this wonderful couple. It was a joyful honor for me to get to know Justin and Megan and to officiate their beautiful wedding.
Enjoy a few excerpts from their ceremony below.
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Today, in the presence of these witnesses, with blessings from their daughter, Layla, Justin and Megan are ready to be united as one family.
It is a beautiful blessing how life leads us through winding, cluttered pathways, and then suddenly, the path straightens and clears and you’re amazed to find that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. And it’s even more incredible when you look beside you and you find the person who is meant to be right there with you.
This moment has been 15 years in the making. It may now seem like a blink of an eye, but what an amazing journey you two have been on. From meeting as young college students at UW-Whitewater, your first apartment, and years of commuting to work in Illinois, to a house, a baby, puppies, and a business… you have been through it all together. From fire to flood, from heartbreak to hope, your love and your lives have been repeatedly battle-tested. And, from every setback and challenge, you rise together stronger, wiser, and more deeply connected to each other.
Individually, you are remarkable people- kind, thoughtful, caring. Together, you are phenomenally unstoppable- radiating energy that inspires and heals and that others glean strength from. Remember always that each of you needs the other for vital strength, like a battery needs to recharge. With your words, actions, hearts, and souls, may you journey forward, hand-in-hand, helping each other grow and learn through your most glorious, wonderous, messy, unpredictable adventure of a lifetime- marriage.
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The bride and groom have written custom vows to share with each other.
(Justin) Megan Babe, over the last 15 years, I’ve had the joy of falling in love with my best friend.
Through all the ups and downs, your strength, love, compassion and forgiveness have shown me that you’re more than everything I could ever need. You have, with the patience of an angel, pushed me to keep becoming a better version of myself. You never gave up on me. You see me for who I am, and you help me as I learn and grow. I am eternally grateful for all that you are and all that you make me feel.
As I reminisce about everything that we’ve accomplished, overcome, and enjoyed together, I can’t imagine having done any of it without you by my side. Without you, my life would be colorless. You’ve painted my life with your vibrant love. I adore your creativity, your ambition, your work ethic, and the selfless way you care for our family. It’s thrilling to me that I keep finding new reasons to fall in love with you.
Megan, you are a phenomenal mother to our precious daughter. Your loving, caring nature knows no bounds, and you provide me, Layla, and many others with all the love and strength we need to thrive.
As we begin this new chapter in our lives, as your husband, I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in achieving all your dreams, to be open and honest with you, and to stand by your side through life’s greatest joys and toughest challenges. I want you to know that, not only do I need you, I choose you, I love you, and I am forever yours.
(Megan) I’ve pictured your vows to me and imagined you going on about all the hysterical ways we met, but in all seriousness, I wholeheartedly treasure every one of those funny moments that are only ours.
I am grateful for the choices we made that led us to each other. Choosing you and choosing us was, without a doubt, the best choice I ever made.
Justin, you are my happy place, my safe space, my best friend, my biggest pain in the ass, and my everything. I could not, would not, and will not imagine my life without you.
I love you for all that you are. I love your smile and watching you when you are truly happy. I love your strong arms and how you make me feel safe. I love your eyes and the way you look at me. I love your lips and the way you kiss me. I love your big ideas and how you lovingly think of ours and Layla’s future.
I believe in us when we’re old (much older 🙂 ) and that I’ll still be yours and you will be mine- and you will always be my home.
So, my promise is simple: You will always have my heart, Justin Dale Traughber.
I’ll be your best friend and your biggest fan.
I’ll be your safe place when you need comfort.
I’ll fight for us and with you, never against you. (Unless you’re just plain wrong 🙂 )
I’ll pull my weight, and then some.
I’ll not just show up for the hard days, but I’ll stay.
I’ll remind you of who you are when the world tries to take it from you.
I’ll support you in your dreams and always include you in mine.
I’ll grow and change with you into the people we are meant to be.
I’ll hold onto us until my hands are buried by this earth.
You are my today and all my tomorrows. In this moment, we step into our forever, and I am so proud to call you my husband.
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Justin and Megan, may your love be modern enough to survive and thrive through the ever-changing years, and old-fashioned enough to last forever.
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To Justin and Megan and a lifetime of love! Salud!