Elora Wedding at Elora Mill, Ontario

December 16, 2024 Parallel

A letter to Sindi and Jonathan…

To the future Mrs. Jansen, to my lovely, to my one of a kind: we made it. As we celebrate our union today, I want to make sure that I express how much you mean to me. You are my priceless beauty, and your kindness, gentleness, devotion inspires me to be a better person every day. My prayer for us is that the Lord keeps nurturing our relationship and taking us to new heights every day. You are my best friend, my treasure, my joy, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life making memories with you.

I mean, anyone who knows Johnny can mention this: he's so diligent. He has a good character because he is diligent, but he adds to that humility. He adds that, the willingness to learn. Johnny has, in fact, changed; his hairstyle hasn't, but he has. It's amazing. He's always there. Maybe he missed five alarms, but he gets there eventually. It's cool.

One of Sindi's greatest attributes is her compassion. Her love and empathy for people stem from her relationship with and love for God. It has been truly beautiful to see her and Johnny together demonstrate a desire to love people and serve God in various capacities, whether it's on the church worship team, in small groups, or kids ministry. Once they became engaged, it was even more obvious how great of a team Johnny and Sindi make. From the very start, they have been well-disciplined and worked tremendously hard to make even the smallest details come to life and make today very special. We are so glad, truly glad, to add another brother to the family, even more glad that our little sister Sindi has found her Prince Charming.

A few things that stood out to us early on about you is your character, your loyalty, your word-keeping, and your generosity, especially with your time. We wish you both a life full of joy, God-filled moments, and blessings.

Jonathan, now you have grown up, fallen in love, and are starting a new life with your beautiful wife, Sindi. Marriage is about supporting, understanding, loving, and caring. We are happy for you both. God bless you. Happy married life. Never forget, we love you both, always.

Honestly, Johnny, the way you've always showed up for your friends and your family, like even my own kids, and the way I know my kids look at you as like a second father figure in their lives, just helps you to know that as you guys have kids and as you do family, you know just what a great father you're going to be. And so, man, I'm not even worried at all about just how you're going to lead your family, how you're going to lead Sindi. Sindi, you got yourself a good one. In fact, you got yourself a great one. But here's to a life of loyalty, love, and an unwavering, consistent life with Christ, with Him being at the center because we know that that's the type of life Johnny will definitely lead.

My wife Raimonda and I are delighted to see our youngest daughter in her white dress today. Sindi is one of the nicest people I have been blessed to know and help raise, and she has a real talent in communicating. Nowadays, she is not only a daughter to me but, honestly, a close friend with whom I often love to discuss anything. Sindi, we, your parents, are so proud of the person you have become. You are kind, intelligent, and strong. We have no doubt that you will have a wonderful life together with Johnny. We advise you to believe in yourself as much as we believe in you. We can’t promise to be here for the rest of your life, but we can promise to always love you for the rest of ours. We know there will be plenty of good times ahead, and so may this be the first of many. We want to wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness.

Jonathan and Sindi, this rite in which you two come now to be united as in bonds of faith is the world's oldest rite. Marriage has never fallen but is what a paradise continues still by God. This it will be to you if you have it in your hearts to beautify and sweeten it by your tender care, your mindfulness in the little things, your patience, and your sacrifice of self to each other.

Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. How true that is to have a companion beside you! But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him, and a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.

Sindi, to my one of a kind, to my lovely: I'll never forget the day I first met you. It was your radiant smile that first captured my heart. You're my best friend, and as Christ treasured His bride, so do I. I promise to stand by your side through the ups and downs of life, to support your goals and ambitions, and never stop loving you for who you are. I vow to continue to support your dreams, to be your rock in times of need, and to celebrate your victories. Today, I declare my commitment to you, promising to cherish and honour the love we share and to cherish the many moments we've had the privilege to spend together. I love you.

Throughout our journey, whenever we've shared sappy moments together, we often smirked and said, "Let's save it for our special day." Well, our day is here! So today, I vow to love, to trust, to encourage, and to submit to you as the leader of our new family. Some of those will come easier than others, but I know that the Lord will continue to edify me as I step into my new role as your wife. As we embark on this new chapter, I pray that the Lord would continue to use our relationship to refine each one of us, to be more impactful together than we are as individuals. And I pray that we never take the gift of one another for granted. For all the days of our life. Love, your best friend.

So, I now pronounce you man and wife. Jon, you may kiss the bride.

Sindi, thank you for making my brother the happiest and the best version of himself he can be each day. I couldn't think of anyone else to be by his side. And just know that we are always here for you both, no matter what. We have created some amazing memories over the years as a family, and I can't wait to share some more. It has been such a blessing watching your love grow and deepen over the past three years. It brings me immense joy to see the strong, loving bond you share. Here's to many more years of happiness and shared adventures as you lean on and grow closer to Christ.

Jonathan, we love you. We have loved you since you were a little child. You are a bundle of love. From the moment he was born, I knew he was special. My heart is filled with memories of times when he was a little boy. I have watched my son grow into the incredible man he is today, but no matter where life takes you, I will always cherish you for the precious son you will always be.

To my Johnny, we went from acquaintances to friends to significant others to fiancé, and now finally I soon get to call you my husband. The Lord truly answered a prayer at a time I least expected. You swooped me, bought me a basket of French chocolates, and somehow made a way into my heart. The more I uncovered, the more I knew you were God's perfect partner for me. The time has finally come for me to admit it: you played your cards right. Never forget, I'm proud of you always, and I can't wait to begin this new chapter with you.

Vendors that Made the Day Happen

Videographer: Parallel Weddings (www.parallelweddings.ca)

Venue: Elora Mill (https://eloramill.ca/)

Hair Stylist: KC Hair Styling (https://www.instagram.com/k.c.hairstyling)

Photographer: Mango Studios (https://mangostudios.com/)

Cake: Dash of Delicious (https://www.dashhofdelicious.com/)

DJ: EJ Entertainment (https://ejentertainment.net/)

Florist: Wild Flora and Co (https://www.wildfloraandco.com/)

Make-up Artist: Alana Marie Makeup (https://www.alanamariemua.com/)

Details About the Wedding

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