I am proud to present myself as a Married Man with my dear Wife Heatherlee.

Our Ceremony was held at the Tchudi family TurkeyTail Farm, in Yankee Hill, California.  It was a beautiful event, and our collected dear friends and family widely report being profoundly touched, not just by the beauty of our shared love, but also by the depth of the content of our Vows:

Our marriage is a commitment to one another;

yes, and more than that, we are wedding to a way of life based firmly on principles of:

 

Natural Health -  Clean Lifestyle

Children, elders, friends –  and our entire family of sentient beings

Personal growth, mindfulness - Seeking our Highest Truth

Loving Kindness - Fierce Compassion

 

These values are our goals;

and also our tools for reaching these goals.

 

Our vows are the covenant we make to support and inspire one another to live our lives fully and embrace the highest possible ethic of integrity;

Happiness is a personal practice.

 

Each day, each moment, I take full responsibility for all the circumstances of my life;

I promise to you that I will cultivate peace and joy, and share it with you.

 

I will help be a barometer of your actions;

I will serve as an anchor to draw you back to your practice.

 

I will live as an example for us, to motivate and inspire you to get out of bed.

I will live as an example for us, to motivate and inspire you to just relax.

 

We will each live well individually;

so that we can live well as a family.

 

I will honor you by protecting your tenderness and compassion;

I will honor you by protecting your solitude and depth.

 

I will allow and encourage you to grow, develop, and change;

I will encourage you to consciously seek a closer and deeper relationship with yourself.

 

I vow to encourage you and speak to you in a manner that supports your highest self;

I commit to a willingness to stay present with the process.

 

I will allow room in our relationship for creative shifts in lifestyle and vocation;

The world is our home, and we will share ourselves with our planet.

 

I will continually strive for transparent, honest, open and active communication, working to resolve issues patiently, presently and in good time;

By working on non-violence in our relationship, I will promote non-violence in our broader family and community.

 

In times of stress, doubt, and hardship, I vow to make our home and relationship a sanctuary;

I vow to foster forgiveness, humor, romance, sensuality, and FUN!

 

Our love for each other is an intentional practice in cultivating an all pervasive (unconditional) love;

the love that you bring into my life inspires me to share my love with all of life.

 

 I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you!

 

On this day, we transform two individuals into three;
we commit to love ourselves, love one another, and to love our Marriage.

The Groom’s People of Honor are:

Cheetah Tchudi

Tim Richards

Dan Berte

The Bride’s People of Honor are:

Ben Carter

Haley Heidemann

Sarah Class

Readings during the Ceremony by:

Susan Tchudi

Otis Richerson

Emily Koch

Pennie Richerson

Mandilee Richerson

Officiated by:

Christien Real – Shi Fa Jun Shakya

Photos from the ceremony, taken by KimPhung Richards, are available to view online.

Here is our short list – 100 favorite wedding photos!