It’s a perfect spring evening for a wedding. White chairs are placed on both sides of the aisle. Our family and friends both mixed together. There are two pink roses resting on two empty seats in the front row where her parents will be sitting. Camryn asked for those to be there in memory of her grandparents.

Flower petals are scattered down the brick walkway which will lead her to where I wait patiently for my bride. Flowers cascade across the archway of the gazebo and elegant baskets of flowers hang from each side of the posts.

The pastor stands at the front, his hands clasped at his waist.

I stroll apprehensively to take my place in front of our guests at the gazebo.

The woman we’ve met with several times from the venue approaches me and attaches the microphone to my jacket. “We’ll be starting in a few minutes. The bridal party is lining up now.”

I nod my head, no words needed.

My nerves are starting to get the best of me. My palms are sweaty and I have wiped them on my pants about fifty times.

A hand appears on my shoulder.

“How you holding up, man?” Christian asks.

I take a deep breath. “I think I’m going to throw up.”

“Take a few deep breaths now, cause when you see your bride, she is going to take your breath away.”

The sun is setting behind us and there is a slight breeze here in the garden. Thank God, because the sweat is running down my back. Not particularly from the heat, I’m anxious to get this show on the road.

I’ve waited a long time for this moment. I can’t wait another minute to make it official and call her my wife.

“I have to get back there before my sister strangles me. Look for the stunning brunette in the fancy dress. The one who only has eyes for you,” Christian says as he walks backwards down the aisle and winks at me.

The processional music starts, Karsen and Parker appear. They are the first to walk down the aisle. When they reach the front, Parker leans in and places a kiss on Karsen’s cheek, then pats my shoulder.

“Take a deep breath, man. She looks perfect.”

I nod my head, a knot forming in my throat.

Lindsey and Lincoln continue after them, Lincoln kissing Lindsey’s cheek when they reach the front. He stands in front of Parker. Lincoln laughs. I turn and shoot him a look.

“Dude, relax. It’s going to be okay,” Lincoln says.

My eyebrows shoot into my hairline. “Coming from the man who is afraid of marriage. You’re really giving me advice?” I whisper.

Lincoln’s fist nudges me in the back. “Not cool, dude. Low blow.”

The pastor gives us a look, the glare on his face telling us to shut up.

Christian takes Morgan’s elbow. Christian kisses her cheek and winks at her when they reach the front. “Such a charmer,” Morgan whispers. He guides her to where Lindsey stands quietly with unshed tears in her eyes.

Christian then takes his place next to me. He clears his throat. “This is it, dude.”

My eyes meet his quickly and he has tears in his eyes. His jaw twitches.

I take several deep breaths to help steady myself and turn back and see Mark, Camryn’s dad, step out.

The music changes in that moment and I realize I had no idea Camryn chose to walk down the aisle to “Longing to Belong” by Eddie Vedder.

Mark turns and holds his hand out. Camryn steps out of the doorway and takes his hand. Tears well in my eyes.

I blink a few times, trying to keep my tears at bay and fail. Camryn is stunning. Absolutely fucking stunning. I can’t take my eyes off of her.

Camryn’s hair is curled loosely and lays freely over her shoulders. Some of her hair is pulled back from her face and a tiara sits on top of her head with her lace veil trailing down her back. Her wedding dress fits her body perfectly. Hugging all the places that my hands love to roam.

I know it only takes a handful of seconds for Camryn to join me, but it seems like it takes hours. My gaze never falters. Camryn’s grin sets the tone of the ceremony.

I take a few deep breaths, and for the first time today air fills my lungs. A weight lifts off my chest. We got this. I say to myself in my head.

When Camryn stands before me, I take the handkerchief from my back pocket and wipe away my tears.

She steps closer to me. Mark leans down and kisses his daughter’s cheek. Tears are visible in both their eyes.

“Don’t cry, sweetheart,” he says as he wipes his daughter’s tears from her face. Something he’s probably done dozens of times over the years.

“Who gives away this bride today?” The pastor asks.

Mark clears his throat. “Her mother and I do, sir.”

Camryn leans up and kisses her father on the cheek. “I love you, Daddy,” she whispers. Only those close to her can hear.

“I love you too, baby girl,” he whispers back and looks at me.

“I couldn’t have picked a better man for her, son.”

I reach out and shake Mark’s hand. “Thank you. I promise to love her till my last breath.”

“I know you will.”

Mark places his daughter’s hand in mine. He takes his seat next to Gwen, who is crying and has a handful of tissues in her hands.

My parents sit on the other side of the aisle holding hands, next to my grandparents.

My hand goes to her low back right above where her dress lays. My hand touches bare skin and I suck in a breath.

She is sexy, sleek, and sophisticated in this dress.

“You are beautiful,” I whisper and I lean in to kiss her shoulder.

A throat clears. “I don’t think we are ready for a kiss yet,” the pastor says and our guests laugh.

Camryn bites her lip to stifle a grin.

I take Camryn’s hand in mine and my body relaxes for the first time today. Morgan steps forward and straightens out the train to Camryn’s dress. She stands and accepts Camryn’s flowers from her. We both stand facing each other, our fingers intertwined.

I lean down and kiss her lips softly. “I love you.”

The pastor clears his throat again. “I promise, we’ll get to that point in just a few moments.”

Our guests laugh and Camryn’s cheeks flush a vibrant pink.

The pastor welcomes everyone and proceeds.

Camryn’s eyes sparkle with unshed tears. She mouths, “I love you.”

I nod my head.

Camryn’s thumb rubs against my hand. I’m lost in her eyes as I see visions of our future. Children running around the house, maybe even a dog or two.

Camryn squeezes my hand and nods her head toward the pastor.

I shake my head and mutter, “Sorry.”

Camryn smiles.

“Did I lose you there for a second, Mr. Banks?” the pastor asks.

“No, sir.”

Christian places his hand on my shoulder.

“You got this, bro.”

I turn to face him. “Thanks.”

“Today, Jamieson and Camryn have chosen to say their own wedding vows.” He looks at me, so I begin.

I take a deep breath. “You have been there for me my entire life. Every monumental moment, you have been there by my side. You are my best friend.”

Christian clears his throat behind me. “What about me, dude?”

Everyone laughs, including Camryn.

I turn and shake my head at Christian. “Really?” I ask with raised eyebrows.

I turn back to Camryn. “Where was I?”

Our guests laugh again.

I pause and rotate to look at Christian. “You, and Christian,” I smirk and turn back to face Camryn, “have been my best friends my entire life. I plan to honor that friendship with Christian by promising to protect, encourage and cherish his twin sister till the day I die. One thing has never changed…my love for you. I will always love you and honor you. I plan to kiss one woman for the rest of my life. And that’s you. You drive me to be a better man. I will be honored to be your partner in parenthood. I vow to be faithful and supportive and to always make our family my priority. I promise you forever. Hand in hand we’ll walk the journey of life together. Last, but definitely not least,” I say with a hint of humor in my voice and wiggle my brows at Camryn, “I promise never to let us lose our spark."

I cup Camryn’s face between my hands and wipe her tears. “I love you.” I lean in, capturing her lips.

Camryn places small, soft kisses against mine and pulls back, taking my hands in hers.

“Ever since I was a little girl, you’ve always been by my side. Always there to pick me up when I fell, to hold my hand when I needed a friend. You are the light when at times there was only darkness. Because of you, every day I laugh, and I smile. Thank you for taking a chance on us. For blurring the lines between friendship and lovers. I don’t think I would have ever had the courage to risk our friendship.”

Camryn gulps hard, tears slipping down her cheeks.

I squeeze her hand, encouraging her to continue. “No matter what obstacles we face in life, I will always be by your side. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, caring for you. I vow to be faithful and true to you for as long as we both shall live. Today, I promise you this. I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. Together, let us build a home filled with love, and laughter… even little beautiful babies.”

Someone whistles and a few catcalls come from our guests. I don’t look over to see where they came from because I can only focus on my bride right now.

She looks me intently in the eyes with silent adoration. “Let us be partners, friends and lovers, today, tomorrow and all of the days that follow.”

Camryn’s lips touch mine, “I love you.”

The pastor asks for the rings and Christian presents two velvet boxes from his pocket. Once the pastor blesses the rings he instructs me to take Camryn’s hand in mine.

“Jamieson, as you place the ring on Camryn’s finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows.”

Camryn’s hands shake within mine. I slide the diamond band on her left finger. Committing myself to her for the rest of my life.

“Camryn, as you place the ring on Jamieson’s finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows.”

With shaky hands, Camryn slides the ring on my finger. It gets stuck at my knuckle. She pushes harder, but it won’t go on. She looks up to me with pleading eyes. “Push harder, you won’t hurt me,” I whisper so only she can hear.

She twists the ring a few times, finally working its way over my knuckle, as we both breathe a sigh of relief.

“Camryn and Jamieson, you have heard the words about love and marriage, have exchanged your vows and made your promises, and celebrated your union with the giving and receiving of rings. It is at this time that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!”

My lips capture Camryn’s before the pastor finishes his last words. I pull Camryn into my arms and embrace the woman I love. She slips her hands up my chest and places both her hands on either side of my face.

I place a gentle kiss on her lips. She is my wife, I’m going to kiss her the way I want. I block out the people around us.

Camryn raises herself to meet my kiss. My tongue traces the soft fullness of her lips. She opens and meets my eagerness. My calm shatters with the hunger of her kiss. We deepen the kiss and get lost in the moment—it is ours to cherish and memorize for the rest of our lives, after all.

I hear someone clearing their throat and break the kiss. I pull back and gaze in Camryn’s eyes. “You’re my wife now, Tink.”

“Yes, I am,” she says to me with tears falling down her beautiful face.

I pull Camryn against my body and lift her in the air. Her perfume intoxicates me when I bury my head in her neck. She throws her head back and laughs as I sprinkle light kisses on the soft skin under her ear.

“You are crazy. God, I love you.”

I set her feet on the ground and take her hand in mine. I thrust our hands in the air above our heads as our guests stand and roar an applause.

In this moment, nothing in my life could be more perfect.