Archive for the 'Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions' Category

Attention to Details

Published May 24, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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I like to think I am attentive to the details in life. I try to listen and observe as best I can. It doesn’t always work out, but I try.

Today I sat outside on the patio of the The Burger Shack Grill in Victor NY and enjoyed the beautiful weather, the people watching and I was blessed to see two very interesting things on the topic of details:

One: The chef behind the counter at the Burger Shack Grill loves his job. I watched him craft my mushroom swiss burger from start to finish. I like watching someone do something they love. The passion comes through, and it’s hard not to be captivated. It ended with the chef placing the burger patty complete with melted mushooms and Swiss cheese perfectly on the bun. It was slow, and deliberate. He savored the moment. It was as if he was a curator placing a fragile porcilian sculpture on its much deserved perch inside the Memorial Art Gallery. After it was resting on the bun he stepped back and said to his sous chef, “Now that’s a fine looking burger. See that? That’s perfection.”

It was a good burger. I almost felt bad that I had to add some ketchup to it.

Two: While on the patio I had the fortunate angle for some prime people watching. Two guys from the Town of Victor were busy placing flower pots on all the streetlamps. One by one they’d take two pots from the back of their red truck, and place them in the holders. One guy would step back, then tweak it to make sure it’s level, then he’d touch it again. Step back. Then re-adjust. It was nice to see that he took the time needed to make sure they looked as best they could. He very easily could have ploped them in quickly to move on to the next lamp post. It’s his attention to the details and good work ethic that allows the best to shine through for a job well done.

I wish we all had that much attention to detail in our jobs as these two guys I saw today. If so, I am confident this world would be way different.

Angels in the Infield.

Published May 6, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me. I have been a baseball coach in the Webster Athletic Association (WAA) for the last 9 years (we’ll if my math is right) and I thought I have seen it all. Sometimes as the assistant, but most times as head coach. I’m fortunate to have two sons who love to play, and a daughter who tried to like the game for at least one year. My only year coaching Rebekah the game of baseball was a special time, and one I will never forget. Now that Joey, my oldest, is done playing my focus is on AJ. It’s nice getting to go back to a 9-10 age group where the focus of the game is still on development. Yes we keep score, but I feel my job as head coach is to have these kids leaving this year with a bigger passion of baseball in their hearts, to learn about the why of the game, to build character, to have fun and want to come back next year. Sure I’d like to win games along the way, but for me the focus is on the process and development, not the final standings.

One nice by-product of Joey no longer playing baseball is that I get to have him in the dugout with me. He is my official scorekeeper. Now Joey gets to learn a whole different aspect of the game, and it’s a pleasure seeing him there in his new role. Last Wednesday we had a game on feild #2. The Rockies pounded us pretty good. It was cold. Rainy. I got there late because of a work commitment with the local newspaper, but I could see our kids still had fun. After the game my son Joey learned that part of his new role is to help cover the field at the end of the game. We covered field #2 with the tarp to protect it from the rain.

Fast forward to Saturday. We (the Angels) had a game versus the Twins in the morning and the league President pulled me aside beforehand and said he was going to give a special presentation before the game, to our team, to me and one of my players, but he did not say why. Tom, our league President proceeded to tell everyone over his loud speaker that last Wednesday he witnessed something special. He witnessed one of my players, Mikah, and their Mom covering field #1 thus protecting it from the rain. Now, keep in mind we did not play on field #1. We played on Field #2, but Mikah saw that it needed to be done and took the initiative to cover the field. Mom got dragged out to help and Tom witnessed the whole thing and was left amazed. As a result, Tom called me to join him on the pitchers mound. Called Mikah to join us as well and then proceeded to said some very nice things while telling the tale of Mikah and Mom covering feild #1. He also presented our entire team with an ice cream party from the local parlor and gave a special New York Yankees caramel apple specifically for Mikah to celebrate the good deed.

Pretty cool. I was a proud head coach for sure.

Mikah is a special player who is smart and always thinking about the game. Hits well. Has a great arm, can pitch, hit, is an all around solid player and is one of the best on the team. Oh, I should also mention that she is a girl and the only girl in the league at that. I am fortunate that my other boys on the team don’t treat her any different. I certainly don’t. I expect the same things from her as I do them. The only difference is she always steps up and exceeds my expectations, not because she has something to “prove” in a game filled with boys, but because at her core Mikah is an all-around good kid and one that I am glad to have on my team. I am convinced that whatever she does she will excel. She’s just one of those types of kids.

I also appreciate Mikah’s sarcasm. During our first scrimmage when I asked if there was anyone who wanted to play the position of catcher she raised her had first. When I asked if she was wearing a cup (a league requirement) she responded with a quick smile filled “Um, No… I don’t need one coach.”

Yep Mikah, I guess you don’t.

It’s a Small World

Published April 30, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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Last Thursday night was a great example of the Disney song, It’s a Small World. I will try my best to explain a small portion of this night, and I apologize now if it does not seem to translate.

I need to start by saying that StormFrog, the digital company I work for, is fortunate to work with some pretty amazing companies. The newest of which is a Cleveland, OH based company. We have logged many hours on I-90 meeting with our client. The marketing director knew I had spent some time living in Michigan, specifically the Detroit area, but we never did get a chance to talk about the connection. I myself was born and raised.

She and her coworker came to Rochester, NY for an all day Friday kick-off meeting and while in conversation over dinner Thursday night at the Wegmans restaurant, Next Door Bar and Grill the subject of our Michigan connection came up. She told me she and her husband lived there… A time in Ann Arbor, another stint in Birmingham. I shared that my Aunt JoAnn lives in Birmingham and she casually mentioned that her father-in-law worked as a columnist for the local paper and that overall she enjoyed her time in Michigan. Me a former paperboy asked her who her father-in-law was and I was surprised at her answer. “He was Joe Falls” She says… “Um, wait” I respond, “Joe Falls was your Father-in-Law”, “Thee Joe Falls? The legendary columnist and reporter for the Detroit News?”

“Yep” she humbly responded.

I was stunned. Now as a former paperboy I used to read the paper before I delivered it, and the columns of Joe falls, Mitch Albom, and the daily box scores of the Detroit Tigers defined my summers and after school routines. (Notice I never said I was a good paperboy).

We spent the next ten minutes reminiscing of Ernie Harwell and the Detroit Tigers, Tom Monahan, the Unions, the paper strike, and the small patch of Tiger Stadium field turf my Uncle Joe ripped out of the ground when he and thousands of other fans stormed the field after the Tigers won the World Series in 1984. Planting that small patch of grass in the back yard of my childhood home solidified my love for a city, a baseball team. Frankly for baseball itself. During our conversation I was a kid again. Recalling a time when life was care free. Time spent at my Grandma Mayernik’s house, listening to the Tigers and Ernie Harwell on the radio and drinking Pepsi. Man those were good times.

And her Father-in-Law was Joe Falls, former Detroit columnist who saw everything first hand. Oh the stories he must have had.

Now Pepsi is replaced by 2 Red Stag Manhattans. Care free summers are replaced with responsibility and deadlines. While I wouldn’t change a thing it was nice for a short moment to come back to being 11 years old. To be a fan again. To be awestruck by a man who I never once met, but knew what he stood for because some 25 years earlier I used to read his communications of the written word. And now I get to work with his Daughter-in-Law. Good times—potato salad. The last time I was in Tiger Stadium was on May 15th, 1999 and it was my Father-In-Law’s birthday that day. 1999 was the last season before the new Comerica Park opened in 2000. The photo at the top of the post is the view from my seat, and this picture hangs in the hallway leading into the office in my house. As irony would have it, the Cleveland Indians were in town. (Cleveland beat the tigers 12-7, boooo).

And though I won’t know for sure, I bet Joe Falls was there covering the game.

It’s a small world after all…

10 and 2

Published April 16, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions 1 Comment
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Keep your hands at 10 and 2 my Driver’s Ed teacher used to tell me. Good advice that I need to adhere more often. It seems that with the birth of the multitasking revolution I am finding it harder and harder to follow this one simple rule. A rule that at its core is designed to keep me safe on the road. Ah, but I have this smart phone. This smart phone is magic. In fact I am writing this blog post from the WordPress App on my iPhone (from the couch, not the car). Pretty amazing toy we all have access to.

It tells me when I have email. A gtalk message. A text. A calendar alert… and oh yeah, a phone call. It’s way to easy to look.”oh I’ll look just once, no worries.”

Now I have been driving for awhile, and while I’m arrogant enough to think that I’m not distracted. The truth is I am. And more importantly I need to set the example for my kids. I admit… I have texted “i’m on my way” or “just leaving now” texts with the kids looking on.

Do as I say. Not as I do. Right?

Well, as the parent I need to set a positive example. As a result, I am joining the Ad Council of Rochester and taking part in “Put Down Month.” Which means just that. When I am driving in my car this month, I AM PUTTING THE PHONE DOWN. The text, call, email, Facebook post, tweet or anything else that makes my phone go buzzzzzz CAN WAIT. I am going to keep my hands at 10 and 2, and reinforce to my kids the need to stay focused while driving a half ton weapon on four wheels. So that when my kids are in a similar situation they will hopefully do the same. I’m not sure what I would do if something happened to them while they were distracted as a new driver. I dread the day one of them turns to me and says “well, you do it. I thought it was okay.” The Ad Council goal is to get 1,000 people to join this event. One. Thousand. People. Log in to Facebook and join the cause with me.

So, right now it’s… Do as I say. And as I do. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Hug O’ War

Published March 25, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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I recently did a Google search to find pictures of the poet and illustrator Shel Silverstein. I was surprised to find out that some of my friends didn’t know who he was. Surprised, because Silverstein’s books were a big part of my childhood, and i just assume that everyone knows who he is. Aren’t his books in every elementary school in America?

I’ve read his books, A Light in the Attic and Where The Sidewalk Ends in school and I was always drawn to the simple line drawings and the silly but and somewhat irreverent tones of the poems. What I found out later (read: a few years ago) was that Shel was also an accomplished songwriter. He wrote the song “A Boy Named Sue”, a song made famous by music icon Johnny Cash.

During the Google image search, I came across the image for his poem “Hug O’ War” This is a poem used to be on the family fridge growing up. My two brothers and I used to practice the Hug O’ War while cleaning the kitchen, just passing by or while setting the table for dinner. The image of the poem was a nice find and a pleasant remembrance of a simpler time. The fact that we used to randomly hug each other was pretty cool. I have three kids now and I can’t image them doing this to each other. I’ll print out the photo of the poem and give it a try though. You never know they may, just like my friends, surprise me.

I Just Can’t Quit You

Published March 5, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions 2 Comments
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The classic line from the movie “Brokeback Mountain” “I just can’t quit you”, is something I can relate to right about now. Not in the direct association with the movie but I relate to the sentiment of the line. I’m having a hard time letting things go. Remember the dryer? The old house? For me it’s also hard to quit stuff I start. This applies to projects and commitments. All renting space in the brain. It’s my own fault. I enjoy being involved, solving design problems, and helping those who need it, however lately it’s at the expense of a normal life. And for a control freak like me it’s hard to flip that switch. There are some commitments or relationships I truly enjoy and I guess the trick is too hold on to the ones that fill a need in the soul and delete the ones that don’t. As I get older I am gaining a better perspective of realizing which is which. Still, overall I find it difficult to quit things. I wish I knew how … well let me restate this. I know how. I just need the courage to just say no. The courage to say goodbye to commitments. The courage to move on.

14 Things I Love and Hate

Published February 16, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions 2 Comments
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Valentine’s Day is about a cliche as it gets. In the spirit of those in love or in heartbreak, I figured I’d share 14 things that I love, and 14 things I hate.

I love tater tots … maybe more than a good thin crust pizza.

I hate onions. Even the ones called sweet.

I love improvisation, lamp, and the rest of that movie too.

I hate the music of Rod Stewart.

I love the smell of freshly printed 4-color brochures.

I hate walking into a bathroom with poor ventilation.

I love how certain people seem to reinvent themselves with ease.

I hate seeing good people give up.

I love how sincere Joey conducts himself.

I hate watching people put on Chapstick.

I love Rebekah’s innocence.

I hate the hearing the words slacks, moist and penetration.

I love holding hands.

I hate movies featuring live-action pets that speak.

I love how Aaron can dramatically effect the energy in a room for the better.

I hate that not everyone likes cauliflower.

I love that I have a tight circle of friends who know me better than me.

I hate the days when I don’t laugh.

I love the sound of wood pencils in a sharpener.

I hate watching a pencil die.

I love and admire how resilient Julie can be.

I hate birds. They peck, they poop, and they have beaks.

I love music and need it like water.

I hate walnuts in brownies.

I love getting paint on my hands, so much that it’s like a topical cocaine.

I hate smoking.

I love Max. Even if he is … a little shit.

I hate lists.

It’s Just An Opinion

Published January 23, 2012 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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That’s all it is. An opinion. My opinion. But it’s mine and no one else’s. My own take on a subject. It’s a collection of life experiences encapsulated into a series of short bursts that i dispense when the time is right. My opinions determine mood, impact feelings, reward creative and sting and build up egos. I rarely think of the impact when in the moment. I would think it’s much like a surgeon who doesn’t think of the future scar he/she leaves behind after a major procedure. They’re just concerned with the success of the operation. But then again, that is still just an opinion (since I am not a surgeon, nor have had any medical training outside of the application of band-aids).

The latest was judging creative work for the Canton Ad Fed Addy award show. A years worth of blood, sweat, tears and budgets judged in a matter of hours by me and my three fellow judges. The creative fate of the entrants rest in the balance of our opinions. When judging creative work it’s hard for me to suppress the hurt feelings filter, or conversely the “I wish I thought of that” response. Overall the work was solid. I did my share of involuntary laughter, and marveled at some executions that pushed the limits of budgets and what I thought possible. Long story short … there is some great creative coming out of Canton, Ohio.

All around the country, there is a lot of good creative work that gets produced for clients every year. However the good work goes on the fridge. It’s the exceptional ones, the ones that went from good to great, are singled out and get the gold.

And even that … is still just my opinion.

The 75th Ride on the Reading.

Published January 3, 2012 My Little Buddy , My Marsupial , My Sweets , Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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I love the game Monopoly. If I had to pick a favorite board game this would be it. Monopoly is the perfect game. Just enough strategy, balanced with luck. I love the game pieces, the colors of the board, the illustrations on the Community Chest and Chance cards. Monopoly has just enough math for me and I love that the playing board is filled with properties that are named after actual locations around Atlantic City, NJ. (However Illinois Avenue was renamed Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in the 1980′s and the actual St. Charles Place no longer exists courtesy of a casino.)

Thanks in part to my Brother Dan and his friend Eric this is one game I know far too much about. Property costs, mortgage rates, and the fact that the famed Reading Railroad is pronounced Redding, not Reading. I have played so much I know what properties are the “real” ones you want to get, and when going to jail can sometimes win you the game. If your in the mood for a quick parlor trick, quiz me sometime. I won’t disappoint.

In 1998 Julie and I got a Deluxe Monopoly game for Christmas. The set has wooden, not plastic houses and hotels, gold colored game pieces including a classic train. A sweet spinning holder for the property cards, and a banker’s tray to keep the cash at the ready. More importantly the board has a dark purple Mediterranean and Baltic Avenue. Unlike the brown of the new sets of today. On January 1, 1999 we played our first game. Julie was the boot and I was the racecar and Julie won. I know this because for that game, and every game since, I have written on the underside of the box lid in a white Prismacolor pencil who played, what piece they used, what the date was, and more importantly who won.

Thirteen years later, game 75 was played last Sunday, New Year’s Day, 1-1-12. We had had several opportunities to play this game, We had the chance to play with Dan and Linda, My Mom and Norbert, Julie’s sister Joanne, and even our friends Mike and Rachel. For one reason or another we opted to not play and Game 75 was held. Held until Sunday.

This was the cliff notes version of game 75:

Julie was the thimble, Joey was the train, Rebekah was the dog, Aaron was the racecar, and I was the old utility van. Rebekah made it around the board first and ironically bought the Mediterranean Ave as the game’s first property. Aaron spent a lot of time in Jail, and I mopped up free parking and landed on Illinos Ave seemingly on every pass around. Aaron was out first, even with a saving move by Julie. She was next, then Rebekah setting up a showdown between Joey and me. In the end this game saw at least two fatal moves, mentions of the “full color spectrum, and 3 house plateau”, and ended up with Joey as the winner.

I’m glad my family likes Monopoly. I’m glad that as a family we can play games that don’t end in arguments. I’m glad that for 2 hours or so we can just worry about getting that last orange property versus a high score on some electronic device. In the end, this game was a worthy 75th, and one that I know we’ll all remember vividly when we pencil in #100, #125, or even #150.

Adell, Dom & the Three Little Pigs

Published December 19, 2011 Notes, Thoughts & Personal Expressions Leave a Comment
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On November 12, 2011 I was the officiant for a wedding between my two good friends Adell, and Dom.

Yes, I have been ordained. No, I still do not wish to debate the humorous nature of the previous statement. Instead I’d rather focus on their beautiful outdoor wedding. The temperature was warm outside, the bride was stunning, the groom was charismatic, and afterward the martini’s flowed. I decided to share my service in my blog (after I had the blessing of the bride and groom). I have to say this experience has forever changed me. I am not saying I am going to do the preacher man gig full-time, but it did give me a reawakening to what is important: Good friends and family, good faith, and spending the rest of your days with the love of your life.

Grab some chips and a martini, it’s a long read.

Good afternoon everyone. Please be seated. As we begin this service I would ask that you indulge me in a prayer. It’s a modified prayer that I say before performing on stage, cantoring in the choir, or just getting up in front of large groups. And it’s a prayer that my wife, my children, and Adell and I have shared before the curtain rose on many a show. And I cannot think of a more appropriate way to start this service today. So I am going to ask everyone to join hands and bow your heads.

Heavenly Father, give us the strength today to use our talents for good. For the benefit of others. To make the ones around us better. To love. Give us the wisdom to remember our vows, the resolve to honor our commitments and the courage to endure when things don’t go according to plan. May we sing through life with our best voices, smile with our brightest faces, triumph over our darkest days, and understand that every day is a gift when we are with the ones we love. Amen.

Please be seated. On behalf of the families and friends of Domenick and Adell, I would like to welcome you to this most joyous and somewhat nervous day to celebrate this sacred moment. We gather together to celebrate with Domenick and Adell as they stand before each other, and all of you to declare their love. And I ask God to bless their love and that they be joined forever as husband and wife. So it’s appropriate that we are exited and nervous. I sure am. I remember that day in my office at Jay Advertising where Adell called me up, and she said, “hey I have a very important question to ask you about the wedding…. You got a minute?” So as she made the trek over from the other building …I thought, She’s probably is going to ask me to stand up… maybe sing a song at the wedding? No invites, she wants me to create the invites.

Imagine my surprise…

All kidding aside. I was honored that day, I’m honored to be here today, and I’m delighted that all of you are here as well. Domenick and Adell have invited us here to be a loving support to them, because we’ve been there throughout their lives. They have called us here to witness their love, to stand behind them, to support them as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead. They have searched their hearts, and their pasts, and have desired to be lifelong partners. And thus we are here not only to witness their vows to each other, but also bestow upon them our blessing. So I ask, do you bless this couple and pledge, now and forever, to support and strengthen their marriage by upholding Domenick and Adell with your love and concern?

Witnessing their pledge reminds us of the things that we’ve devoted our lives to, our own husband or wife, our partners, our work, our hearts. For a wedding is a reflection both between Domenick and Adell, but also among the congregation, you may not feel very religious, but what we have here, is, in fact, a congregation. At times like these we remember those who have moved on from this world. Domenick I know you are thinking a lot about your Dad and Adell your family too. And nothing can replace them being here with us today. But know that they are proud of you and they look down up on you with their love and blessing.

Domenick and Adell also called us here because they have something important to show us. In what they do today they show us what Gods love for us is like. A love that is total, and permanent and unconditional.

I have become good friends with Domenick and Adell over the years, and I was not surprised when Adell told me that she knew Dom was the one. The first time I met Dom, I turned to my wife Julie and said, you know what… he reminds me of your cousin Nick. Funny, Entergetic, Matter of Fact, Italian, Smart. He put’s up with all of Adell’s quirks. He’s perfect for Adell.

I have taken Domenick and Adell’s request to marry them very seriously. I struggled for a long time to find the perfect analogy to share today. My one tip to Domenick and Adell for a successful marriage. I mean really, what makes me the authority? Does my almost 15 years of marriage to my wife Julie qualify me to dole out advice? Maybe. Even so, it’s hard to put into words when forced to articulate it, In fact, in the words of Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmicht, “Advice is a form of nostalgia, Dispensing it, is a way of fishing the past out of the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth,”

But I got it.

Once upon a time there were three little pigs and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes. Before they left, their mother told them ” Whatever you do, do it the best that you can because that’s the way to get along in the world. The first little pig built his house out of straw because it was the easiest thing to do. The second little pig built his house out of sticks. This was a little bit stronger than a straw house. The third little pig built his house out of bricks. One night the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his house of straw. He said “Let me in, Let me in, little pig or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in!” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin”, said the little pig. But of course the wolf did blow the house in and ate the first little pig. The wolf then came to the house of sticks “Let me in, Let me in little pig or I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin”, said the little pig. But the wolf blew that house in too, and ate the second little pig. The wolf then came to the house of bricks.” Let me in , let me in” cried the wolf “Or I’ll huff and I’ll puff till I blow your house in” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin” said the pig. Well, the wolf huffed and puffed but he could not blow down that brick house.

So the advice is: Listen to your Mother. Whatever you do, do the best you can every day. Do everything with love. Work hard to build a solid foundation, so that when the tough times comes, when tragedy strikes, You can rely on the rock solid foundation you have with each other to pull you through.

Now I ask you to please stand.

VOWS
My friends we come together in love to witness this joyful union. We have come together here to unite Domenick and Adell in the institution of marriage. This is a sacred rite, an ancient rite. God may bless it, and the state of NY may recognize it as legal, but these are but symbols, The true ceremony is what is happening within Domenick and Adell, as their hearts reach out to each other, and pledge their devotion.

Domenick Repeat after me:
With God’s blessing and presence in me and throughout our union, I, Domenick, take you Adell, to be my wife and life partner, to stand by your side when we’re on top of the world and when we have to lift each other up off of the ground, when funds are abundant and when we are financially burdened, on the days that we are healthy and during the times we are sick, to love, respect and support, from this day forward.

Adell Repeat after me:
With God’s blessing and presence in me and throughout our union, I, Adell, take you Domenick, to be my husband and life partner, to stand by your side when we’re on top of the world and when we have to lift each other up off of the ground, when funds are abundant and when we are financially burdened, on the days that we are healthy and during the times we are sick, to love, respect and support, from this day forward.

RINGS
The circle is the symbol of eternity. It has no beginning and has no end. It is a symbol of union and of the earth. Of holiness, of perfection, of peace, and of a shared love. May Domenick and Adell who wear them always have a deep faith in each other, for the rings they exchange now serve as a constant reminder of the vows and commitment they make today.

Domenick repeat after me:
Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that you are surrounded by my enduring love.

Adell repeat after me:
Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that you are surrounded by my enduring love.

Sarced scripture says to clap your hands with shouts of joy.

FINAL BLESSING
My friends it has been an honor to celebrate the union of two people that I am very fond of. But we come now to our final blessing. And I invite you now to join in with me on this final blessing my raising your right hand and praying it along with me. Sound out an Amen. Show them your love and support with your loudest voice.

May almighty God with his word of blessing unite your hearts in the never ending bond of pure love….. AMEN

May your rock solid foundation of family and friends bring you happiness, and your generous love for them be returned to you many times over…… AMEN

May the peace of faith live always in your hearts and in your home, may you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow. May you be ready and willing to help and comfort all of those who come to you in need, and may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in abundance….. AMEN

May daily problems never cause you undo anxiety, or the desire for earthly possessions dominate your lives. May the Lord bless you, with many happy years together, so that you may enjoy the rewards of a good life… AMEN

And may almighty God bless you and bless all of you. This great celebration has ended. Now let the celebration begin. I would like to ask that everyone needs to remain outside for a group photo immediately following the ceremony and before heading upstairs for cocktails.

And by the authority vested in me by the State of New York, the Universal Life Church, and those attendant it is my pleasure to pronounce you Husband and Wife. And it’s my honor to introduce to you for the first time Domenick and Adell Cecconi. Dom you may kiss your bride.

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