The love story continues well beyond the wedding day. The wedding day felt perfect. There were hiccups. But the love and the atmosphere created a cherished core memory.
March 20, 2004
Waking up in a lovely hotel bed. Excitement. Nerves. The hair appointment.
My nine bridesmaids. My childhood best friend. My four best high school friends. My two best college friends. My sister-in-law to be. My sister. 36 weeks pregnant.
All together getting dressed. Praying over me. Perfecting my makeup. Holding my dress while I pee.
My mom. The necklace. The tears.
He’s with his groomsmen. Nine. Fraternity brothers. High school friends. Childhood friend. Brother-in-law. Brother-in-law to be.
The men. Getting their barber razor shaves. Some cuts. Some blood. Lots of laughs.
Texting existed. Making sure everyone was on schedule and no cold feet.
I was shivering, but with excitement. He was calm and sure.
We are there. The old freight depot. The whale mural. Chairs set up. Orange blossoms hang in jars on the aisles. Soft lights hang from the gazebo.
My bouquet. A flower from each matriarch’s wedding bouquet. All white. Calla lilies. Carnations. Daisies. Roses. Orange blossoms. My addition Gardenias.
Photos with family and wedding party. Separately. No sneak peek. He will see me come down the aisle.
Notes to each other as we wait. Guests arrive. I try to eat an apple so I don’t faint. Nervous burps caught on video. A prayer circle with my bridesmaids. I shout, “Yeehaw! I’m gettin’ married!”
The orchestra begins to play. My little brothers, 15 and 14, seat the guests. They seat the family. And help light the memorial candles. My grandpa, his grandpa, my cousin. There, with us in spirit.
He walks in with his best man. I wait in the back until it’s time.
The processional music begins. The groomsmen march down in a group two by two. My bridesmaids carrying red carnations walk steadily down the aisle. The ring bearer taking his role seriously. He is Frodo. The flower girl gently tossing the petals to mark my path. It’s almost time.
My veil covers my face. My dad links my arm. We stand ready.
A beautiful voice from childhood sings “Do you believe in something that you’ve never seen before There is love”
The processional.
I take slow steps towards him. Taking it all in. My eyes on him. I just have to get to him. Water fills his eyes. He’s ready.
My dad lifts my veil.
Finally, I grab his hands. We face each other. We know. We are certain. This is us. We are ready.
1Corinthians 13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Proverbs 31. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Song of Solomon. How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes behind your veil are doves. My beloved is mine and I am his.
Homily. The 3 C’s. Creation, Covenant, and Consummation. The vows. The rings.
A Celtic Blessing. May the road rise to meet you.
The announcement. The kiss. The presentation. Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan and Lacey LaCour.
We exit to applause. He holds me. I tuck my head into his neck. We did it. Committed to each other. In sickness and in health. In plenty and in want. In joy and in sorrow. As long as we both shall live