I am freaking out. I didn’t write any vows. I wrote some words on a piece of paper and then stared at it, willing something epic to pour out of me. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. And that paper? With the words? I left it in my purse. In the house. I was so flustered before we left the house for the ceremony I forgot to grab it from my purse. I was kidding when I told Ben I was going to “wing it” but looks like the joke’s on me.
Now as I watch my amazing fiancé, soon to be husband, clear his throat to begin his vows, I hope I’m able to hold it together long enough to fly by the seat of my pants when it’s my turn.
“Piper,” he begins while tightening his grip on my hands, his nerves evident. “Damn, girl. You blow me away. That’s not poetic or even romantic, but it’s the truth. I’ve known you most of your life but last year when I saw you sitting on that bar stool, waving your arms around dramatically, you captured my interest and never let go. I didn’t know it that night but I should have, you not only captured my interest but stole my heart. My vow to you is to always respect and honor you. To hold your needs and feelings to a higher standard than my own, and never let you feel any less than cherished. I look forward to creating more memories with you, memories blanketed with laughter and love. But mostly,” Ben pauses and takes a deep breath, closing his eyes before opening them and looking at me. His eyes are full of love and I melt a little on the spot.
“Mostly, I look forward to creating a family with you. I can’t wait until the day our children run around this land playing and teasing. I look forward to the day I hear a smaller version of you fill the silence with laughter. I told you once that your voice is like honey. The sweetest and thickest honey. That holds true. And, as much as I’ll still listen to you recite the phone book to me, reading bedtime stories to our children will be the highlight of my life. Piper, I promise to always put the toilet seat down, throw my laundry as close to the hamper as possible, and keep the bed warm.” Ben earns a few chuckles from the guests and me.
“I love you, Piper. You loving me makes me a better man, and I can’t wait for the rest of our lives to show you how much I cherish you.”
I unclasp my hand from Ben’s and attempt to wipe my tears away without smearing my makeup. A handkerchief appears from my side as I note Ben’s dad extending his hand toward me. I smile and take the offered blessing and smile my gratitude. He doesn’t know what a saving grace this is because it’s about to get really messy when I have to say my vows.
“Piper,” Pastor Timmons encourages me. Taking a deep breath, I look up at Ben through my lashes and all my worries melt away.
“Bentley. When I was five years old, you were my knight in shining armor. You offered a shy little girl a helping hand, and I’m not sure you knew in that moment what you were getting yourself into. For years I watched you from afar, wishing you’d look at me differently. You didn’t.” Ben shifts his feet uncomfortably, but I squeeze his hand reassuringly.
“And, I’m so grateful. I wouldn’t change a single moment we’ve had together. Even if my teenage self wished we had been together most of our lives, I’m glad we weren’t. If I’ve learned anything in this last year, it’s that being loved by you is the greatest gift I have ever been given. I would never have appreciated the depths of true love before now. Thank you for coming home. Not only home to Lexington, but to me. You, Bentley James Sullivan, are my home. In your heart is where I belong, and I will never take that for granted. I vow to honor and cherish the love you give me and bestow the same upon you and our children. And, as you wished for a smaller version of me, I wish upon every star in the night’s sky for a little Bentley who treats every person in his life with love and respect just like his daddy.”
I’m sobbing by the time I say the word “daddy” and Ben unclasps our hands and pulls me toward him, his left hand on my waist while his right wipes the tears from my cheek. He looks to the pastor and whispers “Can we move this along, Pastor?”
Pastor Timmons smiles and nods. He says a few words I don’t really hear. Everything I’ve needed to hear and everything I’ve needed to say having been said, I stare at Ben. The rest of the world fades away as I hold his gaze. I know the minute the pastor has pronounced us husband and wife because the biggest grin takes over Ben’s face and he tugs me to him in a passionate kiss.
His kiss speaks of forever and always. It holds promises for today and all the tomorrows that follow. It is a kiss that evokes every emotion and feeling we share, and I succumb to it naturally. My hands loop around his neck as he lifts me from the ground. Okay, so maybe this kiss is a little more than feelings because the way he’s kissing me, he’s about ready to make those future babies we talked about right now.
The sounds of claps, whistles, and clearing throats finally filter through my love-filled haze and we pull apart. Ben is still holding me off the ground and now we’re both laughing. Once he sets me down, we turn to face our guests as Pastor Timmons announces us as Mr. and Mrs. Bentley James Sullivan. The speakers crackle as the first chords of “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure begin. I look at Ben, and we both start laughing as I reach for my bouquet from Ashton and turn to make our way back down the aisle. Sure, it’s not the most common recessional song, but it’s fun and upbeat.
As we approach the end of the aisle, Laurel is there with an awaiting golf cart and a huge smile on her face. Happiness radiates off her. She’s happy for us.
“You guys are amazing. And screw you both for making me cry. Now, go up to the house, freshen up, knock one out, whatever you need to do,” she says, shooing us to the golf cart. She knows as much as we do that there will be no “knocking one out” when we get to the house. The next cart will house the bridal party and Pastor Timmons so we can sign the marriage certificate and freshen up for photos. The photographer has already staged an area for us to take the photos but the actual signatures will be done in the kitchen, the license placed in a waiting envelope and put in my mother-in-law’s bag for mailing.
Ben and I head straight for our bedroom, where we kiss and relish in the quiet for a few moments. I quickly freshen up while he uses the restroom and sends Ashton up to help me with my dress while I use the restroom. We may be married but I’m not quite ready for Ben to hold my dress while I pee.
Once everyone has relieved themselves, taken a celebratory shot of whiskey, and the marriage license is signed, we head outside for the photographs. The photographer has a list of the photos I hoped to capture and is, thankfully, quick with the process. Laurel appears halfway through the picture taking to bring us snacks and demands we all eat something to keep from getting “college level wasted” tonight. We all laugh, but she does know us well. Everyone willingly takes the food offered, and sure, another shot of whiskey, before going back to picture taking. That’s when I stop Laurel and ask the photographer to add a few unplanned shots to the list. Pulling Laurel into a hug I force her to take a few pictures with Ben and me.
As soon as the pictures are done, the girls and I make another bathroom stop before meeting the guys outside. Before we exit the kitchen, I look at the clock and confirm we are on schedule. I want to get all this official wedding business done quickly so we can have a good time.
Before Ashton hops in the golf cart, I stop her to make sure she’s doing okay before singing. “I’m golden, sister. I have Jameson here, and while the song is for you guys, he’ll be the one I sing to. It grounds me. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried, I just care.” I hope she knows I mean that. If she chose not to sing, I would be okay with that, too.
Laurel stops our golf carts just a few feet from the tent where the reception is taking place. I hear music playing and the guests laughing and talking. I love that everyone here knows one another and they are enjoying themselves.
“Laurel, you need some of this,” Landon declares, shoving a flask in Laurel’s face. I half expected her to wave it off, but instead she grabs the offering and throws back a hearty swig.
“Thanks, Landon. I did need that. This coordinator job is not the cakewalk I had expected. Someone has us on a tight-ass schedule.” She’s teasing but everyone agrees just the same. Brats.
“Y’all ready to do this?” Laurel asks, and everyone agrees. Since I only have two bridesmaids, Landon is going to walk out with Hope. I felt horrible but he offered and said the two of them have a plan. I have no idea what that is, but I can’t wait to see it.
The DJ’s voice fills the air as he gets the crowd going with some party music before the song we chose to walk into the reception begins to play. One of my favorite party songs of all time is “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang. Sure, it was popular before I was even born, but it’s iconic and exactly how we want to kick off our reception. Landon and Hope are first to enter, and I peek around a corner to find them doing a dance routine. Hope is shimmying along with her hands in the air and spinning. Landon is doing an awkward shuffle with his hands tucked like he’s preparing for a boxing match. It’s adorable and hilarious. We all laugh and Jameson’s sister, Julia, is up and out of her seat with her phone poised in Hope’s direction. No doubt she’s documenting this for future blackmail in Hope’s teenage years.
The couples follow Landon and Hope leaving Ben and me alone for a moment. “This may be the last time we have a minute alone for the rest of the night,” Ben says, pulling me to him. As he does, the song we’ve chosen to walk in to fills the air and everyone is clapping and laughing. “Brick House” by the Commodores, another surprise song but perfect for the party that’s about to take place.
“Kiss me then, I’d hate to sacrifice these minutes talking.” I no sooner finish my statement than Ben is kissing me passionately. Suddenly, we’re pulled apart by Laurel and shoved into the tent where everyone is laughing. We look at each other and shrug. Dancing our way to the head table, it isn’t long before the rest of the room is dancing along to the song and I couldn’t be happier.
This is how I always envisioned my wedding - a night with our closest friends and family, full of laughs and love with Bentley Sullivan next to me. This day simply proves dreams do come true, and if you really believe, the good guy does get the girl.