Page 3 of My Only (My First, My Last)
“To all who are gathered here,” he began, “you are not just witnesses, yuh know?! You are part of this union. Ayla and Hassani have invited you here because you are their family, their friends, their village. Your love and support will surround them as they build their life together.”
His eyes scanned the faces of our friends and family.
“So, as they exchange their vows, I ask you to hold them in your hearts, to lift them up in your prayers, and to remind them, in moments of doubt and uncertainty, of the beauty we have all seen here today.”
Hassani had not let go of my hand once, and I couldn’t help but blush at that.
In every conversation leading up to this trip, he had told anyone who would listen that he was getting married. It always made me laugh.
At Reverend Harte’s direction, we turned to face each other to exchange our vows.
We had written them separately, promising to have them ready in time for our big day. And while the words had come straight from my heart, speaking them now—here, surrounded by the sea and sky, standing in front of him—made them feel even more charged.
“Hassani,” I began, “from the moment we met, you’ve been the light that brings laughter and ease to my days. You are the dreamer when I’m the realist.”
Reverend Harte chuckled softly.
“And the optimist when I’m afraid to hope.” I nodded. “In you, I’ve found a partner, a friend, and a love that reminds me every day that life is better when shared.”
Hassani closed his eyes and nodded at my words.
“I vow to stand beside you, even when life gets messy, to celebrate your wins as if they’re my own, and to build a life with you that reflects all the joy and love we share. Today, I choose you. Forever.”
“Damn,” he whispered before a bright smile pulled at his beautiful lips.
“Beautiful,” Reverend Harte commented. “And now, Hassani.”
Hassani folded his bottom lip into his mouth and bit down as a smile pulled at the corners. “A. Boogie.”
I tossed my head back in laughter as the crowd echoed with their own.
“Ayla, you are my foundation, baby,” he continued, his voice steady, filled with emotion. “The steady ground beneath me when life feels unsteady. The spark that inspires me to dream bigger than I ever thought possible.”
He licked his lips, shaking his head slightly. “Man, when I look at you… hmph .”
I squeezed his hand, inhaling deeply to hold back my tears.
“I see a woman who challenges me, believes in me, and loves me.”
I felt the weight of his words in my chest.
“You’ve taught me that love isn’t just about the big moments, but the quiet ones. Those mornings over coffee, those nights spent dreaming together over red wine.”
I stared into Hassani’s eyes, feeling something stir deep inside me.
We had been together for four years, and while our love had always been strong, on this day, in this moment, it felt richer—stronger—something potent and undeniable.
“I vow to honor the woman you are, to never stop learning how to love you better, and to always come back to you, no matter how far life takes us.” His grip on my hand tightened. “Today, I promise to build not just a home, but a life worthy of you.”
Afterward, Hassani held my gaze for a moment longer before giving a small nod toward Reverend Harte, silently signaling that he was done.
“My God,” Reverend Harte murmured, drawing our attention back to him. “ Dem vows deep, man— woi !”
Laughter and applause broke out behind us, voices calling out their approval.
“Okay, all right,” Reverend Harte said, grinning. “Let us dry our eyes here…”
More chuckles from the crowd.
“…and proceed.” He gestured. “May I have the rings?”
Hassani and I had chosen not to have a maid of honor or best man, so we were responsible for our rings.
I had kept his on my thumb during the ceremony, and he carried mine in his pocket. We handed them to Reverend Harte, who held them in his hands for a brief prayer before passing them back to us.
“Ayla and Hassani,” Reverend Harte said, his voice warm, “these rings are more than simple bands of white gold and diamonds.” He looked between us. “They are a circle with no beginning and no end… just as your love has no limits.”
I blinked back my tears.
“When you look at these rings in the years to come, may they remind you of this day, this moment, and the promises you have made to each other.”
Reverend Harte gestured for Hassani to place the ring on my finger.
Hassani took my hand, biting his bottom lip as he smiled, then repeated the words the Reverend told him.
“With this ring,” Hassani began, holding my gaze, “I give you my heart, my soul, and my unwavering commitment.” He nodded, as if sealing his own words. “Let it be a symbol of my love for you, today and always.”
Reverend Harte then turned to me.
“Ayla, repeat after me.”
I took a steady breath and followed his words, holding Hassani’s ring just before slipping it onto his finger.
“With this ring, I give you my heart, my soul, and my unwavering commitment. Let it be a symbol of my love for you, today and always.”
And with that, I slid the ring onto Hassani’s finger.
Reverend Harte smiled.
“Now, by the authority vested in me by the great island of Jamaica and the love of God,” he declared, “it is my great joy and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife.”
Mr. Franklin’s booming voice rang out behind us, his cheers and applause making both Hassani and me laugh.
“Hassani,” Reverend Harte said, his grin wide. “You may now kiss your bride!”
Hassani and I turned to each other, exchanging a mischievous grin.
But instead of going straight for the kiss, as Reverend Harte suggested, we stepped apart and extended our hands, clapping them together twice—our palms meeting with a soft smack that echoed lightly in the air.
Reverend Harte’s chuckle turned into a full-blown laugh.
Hassani and I smirked as we raised our right fists, tapped our knuckles together, followed with a quick high five, then spun around, back to back, and slapped our hands together again in sync.
Our secret handshake, one we’d been practicing long before this day, ended with us facing each other again, our pinkies linking as we held eye contact.
Hassani whispered, “No take-backs.”
I winked. “Forever us.”
Laughter erupted behind us just as Hassani pulled me toward him, still linked by our pinkies.
He pressed a soft kiss to where our fingers joined before pulling me even closer—his other arm wrapping around me, his lips meeting mine in a deep, lingering kiss.
The crowd behind us cheered, laughed, clapped.
“As they walk down this aisle together for the first time as husband and wife,” Reverend Harte announced over the noise, “let us all rise in celebration of Ayla and Hassani, whose love reminds us of what is possible when people come together with open hearts and open hands. Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together…”
Hassani pressed one last soft peck to my lips.
“…for Mr. and Mrs. Franklin!”
* * *
Our first dance was to Case’s “Happily Ever After,” played by the steel drum band that had been performing R&B renditions throughout the night.
I had experienced a whirlwind of emotions that evening, but nothing compared to the moment we gathered around the very large circular table for the speeches.
My mother started them off… and sent us all into tears.
She lifted her glass, her warm smile shining as she brought the mic to her lips, her eyes glistening with emotion.
“Ayla, I knew you were destined for something beautiful the moment you came into this world.”
Hearing her say only that, almost made me burst into tears.
“Standing here today, seeing the woman you’ve become and the man you’ve chosen to be your husband, I couldn’t be prouder. Your father loved Hassani from the moment he met him and told me that night when we were alone, ‘Sonia, I just met my son-in-law.’”
I dropped my head, and Hassani pulled me in close, letting me lean against his chest.
“I know without a doubt that your father is smiling down on you right now, so very proud of his baby girl. I can feel his presence here all around us.”
Hassani pressed a soft kiss to my forehead as I lifted my head to sniff back my tears.
“I want you two to know that marriage is about love, yes.” My mother nodded. “But it’s also about patience, understanding, and choosing each other every single day. Hold onto that, and you will be fine for all the rest of your days.”
She raised her glass, her voice steady despite the emotion in her eyes.
“Hassani, take care of my daughter. And Ayla, take care of my son.”
Hassani and I glanced at each other and leaned in for a quick kiss.
“To love, to laughter, and to forever,” my mother finished. “Cheers.”
The soft clinking of glasses filled the air, mingling with sniffles and quiet laughter.
A tear trickled down my face, but before it could fall all the way, Hassani was quick to catch it with his thumb.
“Hassani and Ayla,” Mr. Franklin said, standing up in front of his seat.
Mrs. Franklin rose beside him, the evening breeze combing through her soft hair.
“Ayla, your mother has moved us all to tears,” Mr. Franklin said. “So now it fall on me to make you laugh from yuh belly.”
Laughter rippled through the gathering.
I wiped at my eyes, still grinning.
“Just like your mother said,” Mr. Franklin added, gesturing to my mom beside Aunt Laurie, “your father’s presence is here with us. Very much so.”
I nodded, and Hassani wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. He leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek, his warmth making the air feel a little easier to breathe.
“And just like him and your mother, Hassani’s mother and I are overjoyed that you two have finally set everything exactly the way it’s supposed to be.”
“Yes, yes!” Aunt Laurie called out beside my mom.
Mr. Franklin turned back to me, his eyes soft.
“Ayla, your father spoke about you like you hung the stars.”
I swallowed thickly.