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Wow.

A light tap has me turning to Liza who’s reaching his band toward me. With steady hands, I slide the ring on his finger and take a deep calming breath to look up to the man I love.

“I love you Nash Bartley, and I’m beyond honored to spend the rest of my life with you. You saved me. Not just from the obvious but from living a hollow life, alone and sad. I never knew I could feel this way, feel so loved and protected and needed all at the same time. You do that for me. You woke me up. Showed me that fairy tales do come true. I promise you I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you and only you. I’ll be there when you come home and be anxiously waiting while you’re gone. It’s you. It’s always been you. It will always be you.”

Everything falls silent. Deliriously happy tears trickle down my check. While the preacher continues with the ceremony Nash’s sturdy hand cups my cheek and wipes away each tear with his thumb.

“I love you,” he says barely louder than the chilled breeze.

The soft chuckle of our friends and family pull both our love-sick gazes back to the preacher.

“Guess I need to repeat it,” he says with a smile. “You may kiss the bride.”

“With pleasure,” Nash says loud enough for everyone to hear as he lifts my veil behind my head.

The lightest brush of his lips against mine sends a chill down my spine. This kiss is different. This kiss is a husband and wife. Hoots and cheers, maybe a cat call or two, ring out as his lips press harder against my own. An arm snakes around my back hauling me against him.

The pressure releases a fraction when he pulls back but keeps his soft lips skimming over my own. “Mine,” he states.

“Yours.”

“Forever.”

I glance around the group of men and women who love and support us before zeroing back in on him.

"You say forever and I say....”

His eyes narrow and a fake scowl pulls at his lips.

“Kidding. You say forever, I say forever and hopefully a bit longer.”