Today's ceremony reading is a hugely popular choice for weddings, Love by Roy Croft. While Croft is often attributed to this poem, the jury is still out on who he was or whether he was someone using a pseudonym. Either way, this piece of writing is not only romantic, but it resonates beautifully as wedding reading all about the meaning of love and what great relationships are all about.

Love by Roy Croft

I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.

I love you, Not only for what you have made of yourself, But for what. You are making of me.

I love you. For the part of me. That you bring out;

I love you. For putting your hand. Into my heaped-up heart. And passing over. All the foolish, weak things. That you can’t help. Dimly seeing there, And for drawing out. Into the light. All the beautiful belongings. That no one else had looked. Quite far enough to find.

I love you because you. Are helping me to make. Of the lumber of my life. Not a tavern. But a temple. Out of the Works. Of my everyday. Not a reproach. But a song.

I love you. Because you have done. More than any creed. Could have done To make me good. And more than any fate. Could have done. To make me happy. You have done it. Without a touch, Without a word, Without a sign. You have done it. By Being yourself. Perhaps that is what. Being a friend means. After all.

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