The sun was bright and the sky a perfect shade of blue as God made sure there were no clouds on the day Sam and Junior joined their hearts as one. With the weather being as beautiful as it was, the flowers and bride and groom were just as lovely. It was a small crowd that had been invited. Neither wanted a large wedding, so they invited only their closest friends and family, and by the time they finished mailing the invitations it seemed half the church was there as well. As she was in a back room of the church getting ready her father stepped in to talk to her.
“You look like a queen!” he told her as he gave her a heartwarming hug.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“This is going to be a beautiful wedding, and I have no doubt that young man will be good for you.”
Smiling and trying hard not to cry, she agreed, “Yes, I believe that, too.”
“You are my little girl and always will be. You have no idea how happy I am right now for you both. I love you, Sam.”
Her father cried as he told her he loved her. She ended up crying and quickly dabbed at her eyes so her makeup wouldn’t be messed up. He walked out to find Junior until it was his time to give her away. As she remained where she was her mother helped by keeping her calm and by making any needed adjustments with her gown. Clara was with her as well since she was going to be Sam’s bridesmaid.
“A part of me can’t believe this is happening again,” Sam told them as she sat and fidgeted. Her fingers were clasped, then unclasped, then clasped together again. Her right knee was rapidly bouncing and her mother had to tell her to stop. She wasn’t aware she was doing it.
“Try to breath, honey. Try to be calm. This is your and Junior’s day and it’s such a beautiful and glorious day.”
“I know. What I don’t know is why I’m so nervous. God is with us and He brought us together. I’ll be fine once we get out there and we are finally married.”
“Maybe you’ll feel better at the reception and get your groove on the dance floor,” Clara included.
Laughing, Sam agreed. She thought about leaving soon after that for their honeymoon. They had decided to go to Hawaii. Neither had ever been and both looked forward to the exotic beaches and clear waters. She hadn’t mentioned anything to anyone, but there was a lot more she looked forward to as well. Things that didn’t have anything to do with being outside of the hotel room. Of course, things of that nature didn’t need to be mentioned. Everyone knew what happened on a honeymoon.
Sam stood again in front of the mirror to look herself over one last time. She only had about ten minutes or so before the pianist would begin playing, giving her the cue that it was time. She had to admit to herself she did look very pretty. Her gown was perfect.
A month ago, Clara helped her by taking her shopping for her dress. Sam and Junior had already decided they didn’t want the normal colors for their attire and when she saw her dress at Macy’s, she knew it was the perfect one, an almond colored Adrianna Papell lace illusion halter gown that fit her as if it was made just for her. She bought it immediately and took pictures of it so she could show Junior.
As her thoughts traveled to her soon to be husband, the piano began its song and she turned to her mother. She knew God was with her because as soon as the first key on the piano was touched, she was calm. She was more than ready.
When she walked out of the room and joined her father by the doorframe, her eyes found Junior standing in the front of the church with his best man. As she breathed, she took in how handsome and relaxed he appeared. Both smiled and both believed with all their heart they belonged together and that God made it happen.
Her father took her hand and placed it within his arm and began the journey down the aisle. Her eyes never left Junior’s and their smiles never waned. Once they arrived at the altar her father stepped to the side and the pastor motioned for the music to stop. He smiled and began the ceremony.
“We are all here today with Samantha and Junior to celebrate uniting in Christian love their hearts and lives. This is possible only because of the love God created in them through Jesus Christ.”
“Jesus said, ‘I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.’ This abundant life, for many people, is an impossible dream, yet God wants us all to have this abundant life and proved His love for us by giving His Son, that we might have this life.”
Sam and Junior stood inches apart and held hands. Their eyes had remained on one another since she stepped into the room. As the pastor spoke, Junior leaned forward and whispered, “My jaw is hurting. I can’t stop grinning.” Sam burst out into laughter. She looked at her father and when his eyes widened she quickly calmed down, but didn’t stop smiling. It was impossible.
Moments later, the pastor asked, “Who is here today to hand over this young woman to this man for marriage?”
“Her mother and I,” her father answered with an obvious struggle. Sam looked at him and saw he had started crying again.
The Pastor looked at Sam and Junior and continued, “No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than these you are about to assume. You are entering that holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very sacrament of divine love.”
Cries and sniffles were heard from a few feet away. Junior winked at Sam and she grinned and winked back at him.
“Junior, will you have Samantha to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keeping yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
“Samantha, will you have Junior to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keeping yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?”
“I will.”
Their fingers squeezed together as their hearts swelled with their love. Looking at the two of them was seeing a perfect picture of a creation that could only have been from God. The pastor asked that they say their vows and when Junior’s mouth parted to begin speaking was when Sam’s tears began to flow.
“Sam, I don’t have anything perfectly rehearsed. We both agreed to say what is in our hearts, and these words are what I have for you. I offer myself to you in wholeness. All my being will be yours as it will be for God. I will always do as I am supposed to do for you. Not only as your husband, but as your best friend, your lover, and your confidant. I will be with you always when you need an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and a reason to laugh. I will cherish you and love you with all that I am, forever as long as God allows me breath. Everything I own now and from here on out is yours as I will do my best to always provide for you. I hope you know that there is only one love greater than mine for you, and that is God’s love. Nobody else on earth loves you more than I do. Thank you for giving me this extreme honor and privilege of being your husband. I love you.”
When Junior finished, Sam had to ask for some tissues. She needed a moment to wipe her eyes and wipe her nose. She hoped her makeup wasn’t a mess, but figured it probably was. She tried to breath and struggled slightly, but once she began her words flowed easily.
“Junior, to be able to stand here in front of you today is truly a gift from God. We both know what has happened over the past two years. We both know what has happened with us. There is no doubt in our hearts, our souls, and our minds that we belong together. I, too, love and cherish you more than anyone else could possibly do. My mind is blown away that I am given a second opportunity to love again. To be loved again. For what felt like years I convinced myself I could never give my heart to another man, but God had different plans and after some time being stubborn, I finally had to give in. When I saw how much you love me and when God told me on that day on the beach, I knew I had been wrong by pushing you away. I will never, as long as I live, push you away again. Unless you try to tickle me.” Laughter resounded from everyone. With a smile, she continued. “From here on out I am yours and God’s only. From here on out everything I have is yours as I, too, will forever try to provide for you as a wife is supposed to do. I am truly blessed to be with you on this day and forever more. I love you.”
***
Marion
Marion praised Jesus as she sat beside Sam’s mother and watched her shed her tears of happiness. The plan worked out as God wanted and it was beautiful to watch. She held her hands up high and rejoiced as Sam and Junior joined their hearts together and became man and wife. When they placed their rings on the other’s hand and kissed, everyone cheered and clapped their hands together. She knew that if angels could cry, she would be shedding buckets of tears. She wasn’t needed any longer and she stood to return to her home above. Before she walked away she placed a hand on them both and gave them one last blessing from her Master. A gift that would be given to them as they enjoyed their time on their honeymoon. A treasure that would bless all the years they have left on God’s glorious earth.