I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a tulle wedding dress that was cream colored and silky to the touch. The dress made me feel like Cinderella at the ball and made me feel like I could pretend to be a princess, even if it was only for a little while. I knew that in the end, I would be Blake’s queen forever.

I looked at my cherry lips and peered into my chocolate brown eyes that were enhanced with frosty hues on my eyelids to really make my dress pop.

“Your make-up artist did an exceptional job,” my friend Malinda said as she smiled, gazing at me with admiration in the reflection of the mirror.

“Do you really think so?” I flickered my gaze to her and felt like I was beaming with pride.

Malinda gave me a heartfelt smile. “Absolutely. You look gorgeous. Blake is going to be the luckiest guy in the world tonight.”

Malinda was my friend from photography school. I appreciated her friendship and she was going to be my maid of honor for the wedding ceremony.

“I can’t believe I get to marry my best friend,” I chuckled. “I know it sounds cliché and all, but…”

“But it’s true,” Malinda said.

I glanced out the set of French doors at Blake’s cabin house. We were getting married today, six months after we had been reunited out on his private dock. And we were getting married exactly in that same spot—not the dock. It was only fitting that we celebrated the event in the exact same place where our flame had been rekindled. It both seemed like a million years ago and just last week all at the same time. Every moment with Blake was a rush and a whirlwind of exceptional fun. So much fun…

It was a beautiful day in mid-April. The sky was a fabulous cobalt blue. The leaves were bright green and healthy. The lake was like a shimmering pool. It was a tranquil sunny day and the water was peaceful. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the temperature outside was warmer than usual for this time of year, which made the setting even more picture perfect.

I glanced down at my engagement ring. Soon, Blake and I would say our vows and I would have a splendid diamond band to add to this one, but it wasn’t about the flashy accessories. It was about binding my life in unity to the man I loved and respected. I couldn’t wait to be his wife. I had waited a full six months of blissful, yet sometimes stressful, wedding planning to get everything just right, and I was ready to make love to him in our bed later that night as official man and wife.

I took a deep breath. “I’m glad my dad finally agreed to walk me down the aisle, even though it felt like I was pulling teeth the whole time I was asking him. I think he’s finally come around. Plus, he went fishing with Blake the other day.”

Malinda squeezed my hand. “You always knew that deep down he would come around.”

“Yeah,” I said and gazed one more time outside. “He’s finally satisfied with Blake and knows that he has the means to take care of me, even though I still told my father that I would be working for magazines on photography. Blake said I don’t have to work, but I like having my own responsibilities too. I’ll never want to give that up.”

“It’s a good thing that Blake’s so supporting.”

“I know.” I sighed deeply and contentedly and peered over at Malinda. “Are you ready?”

Malinda pitched her eyebrow. “More importantly, are you?”

I didn’t have a nervous bone in my body. I had waited for this day my entire life, or at least that was what it felt like. I knew I’d made the right decision to accept Blake’s proposal.

When I walked down the aisle and stood under the breathtaking canopy awning that he had wielded by hand for this very purpose, I felt natural and comfortable. I was in awe of Blake and his inspiring lifestyle. He made me want to be a better person.

Later, when we said our vows, everyone cheered and clapped for us, even my parents. I felt like I was on top of the world. I never wanted the evening to end. I couldn’t wait to dance under the stars and the lantern lit trees surrounding our lake front property. Blake was even talking about taking a plunge in that cold lake in full wedding attire to set our own traditions. I was still on the fence about that one though.

The wedding was as extraordinary as I could have ever imagined. Blake went above and beyond with allowing me to enjoy the perks of having everything I could have wanted in a wedding. We really went all out, the whole nine yards.

“What a beautiful cake,” one of Blake’s aunts told us as we stood next to it, gearing up to cut into the first slice.

“Thank you,” I said, positively beaming.

“My wife really does have the best taste,” Blake said and placed his hand on the small of my back.

I grinned at him. “It was a joint effort to put all this together.”

“But she is the true mastermind behind this lovely affair,” Blake said and gave his aunt a wink.

“You two seem really perfect for each other,” his aunt said with a genuine smile.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Blake said. He took my hand in his and cradled it there before planting a kiss on it.

Later that evening while we were out on the dock enjoying some quality private time together under the canopy of stars, listening to the hum of the band playing beside us, I turned to Blake.

“I have a confession to make,” I told him.

His eye’s perked with interest. “Uh…I hope it’s a confession that I will find pleasing.”

I chuckled and swayed my legs back and forth as they dangled over the edge of the dock. “I keep feeling like I have to wake myself up from a dream.”

Blake gave me a quizzical look. “What do you mean?”

“I don’t know,” I shrugged and played it off. “It’s just…all of this…” I trailed off and gestured to the wedding reception of the century unfolding behind me. “I just don’t feel like I deserve it sometimes.”

I was embarrassed to admit it. I didn’t want Blake to think that I wanted to marry him just because he was handsome and rich. I connected to him on a spiritual level. Our chemistry was melded to perfection. I hoped that he realized that.

Blake stroked my back and my hair. “You’re beautiful and you deserve the world.” He whispered softly in my ear. “And I can’t wait to get you upstairs, peel off that bathing suit, and have my way with your sexy body.”

I met his gaze and all the apprehension I had ever had and the self-doubt still creeping around in my mind disappeared forever.

“I know you do,” I said with a mischievous grin. I sighed, taking in the views.

Blake swallowed me up in his arms. I relished in his masculine and comforting embrace. I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with the man of my dreams.

“The sunset was so beautiful. I don’t need a camera. I’ll remember every detail of this day forever. I want to see the stars come out. Let’s stay out here a little longer.” I rested my head on his shoulder.

“Anything for my wife.”