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Henrietta walked outside, her arm looped around her dad’s. There might have been music playing still, but I couldn’t hear it.
The woman I loved, the woman of my dreams, was walking toward me. Her long white dress fit her perfectly, and were those...? I grinned, seeing the toes of her boots peeking under her dress. But it was her smile that captivated me.
Her beautiful brown eyes were shining in the Texas sun, and her smile was even brighter. This woman was mine. And this day?
It was ours.
I barely dragged my eyes off of her long enough to hear her dad say, “Take care of her, son.”
“I will,” I promised.
He put her hand in mine, and I held her other hand too, running my thumbs over the back of her hands.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“Hi,” she said with a smile.
My throat felt tight, and I couldn’t get any words out as the pastor started talking about weddings, about love and matrimony and the holy bond that tied us together.
We exchanged rings.
Henrietta repeated her vows, each promise a balm to my heart.
And then Matthew said, “The groom wishes to say something before he speaks his vows.”
Henrietta whispered, “Tyler, I thought we weren’t writing our own vows.”
“This is something extra,” I replied before taking the microphone from Matthew. I reached into my jacket pocket and held up the piece of paper I’d been staring at ever since she said yes. But instead of looking at her, I faced our guests. I faced her family.
“The second I met Henrietta, I knew there was something different about her. Something special. And that knowing kept me chasing after her, made me want to learn everything about her. The time we spent together, the more I could see her heart for you all, the people she loves most. I knew anything between us would require a sacrifice. I could give up on my dreams of settling here to be with her. Or she would have to move away from the people she loves so much to be with me.” My throat got tight, guilt eating at me even though I knew we’d both made the right choice. Even though our location could change, our love for each other, and our families, would not.
“I think you know what decision we made together. And even though this union is between myself and my beautiful bride...” I smiled at Henrietta, and her smile in return settled me again. “I’d be remiss to think it didn’t involve all of you too. I’ve seen the way Henrietta loves you, and through her eyes, I’ve come to love you just as much. I want to promise you that even though Hen is becoming my wife, she’ll always be your friend, your sister, your daughter and granddaughter too. I promise to always make time for your bond and value it just as much as she does. I am so grateful to be joining your family today, just as Hen is joining mine.”
I saw tears streaming down her mom and grandma’s cheeks. Even her brothers’ and dad’s eyes were red. As I turned back to Hen, I noticed tracks of moisture streaking from her eyes.
I passed the microphone back to Matthew and reached up with my thumbs, wiping her tears away. She held my wrists, whispering, “I love you.”
My jaw trembled as I rested my forehead against hers. “I meant every word.”
“I know,” she replied.
Matthew continued the ceremony, and I put all my heart into the vows as I promised my life to the woman across from me.
And when he said, “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride,” I wrapped my arms around my wife and made our first kiss as a married couple one we’d remember for the rest of our lives.
85
Henrietta
Confession: I may always be a funny fat friend... but I’m also so much more.
Sparklers litour path as Tyler and I left the reception to his truck that Liv had decorated. Flowers lined the truck bed, and the back window said JUST MARRIED surrounded by hearts.
He opened the door for me and helped me in, making sure my dress was fully inside before closing the door. When he got in, he leaned across the middle seat and gave me a kiss before pulling away.
I watched out the window, seeing the twinkle lights fade away. Tyler turned right out of their drive, and my eyebrows drew together. “Weren’t we supposed to go that way to get to Dallas?” We had a one-night stay before our flight tomorrow at a place Tyler described as a “ritzy mix of character and culture.”
A smile danced along his lips, illuminated by the green dash lights. “We have a stop to make first.”