“Are you ready?” My father holds out his arm, and I wrap mine around it. Seeing him all dressed up for church is nothing new, but I’m used to watching him stand at the front on the stage, not back here as he is now.

I take a big breath as I watch our daughters, Madison and Jill, walk arm in arm, delicately dropping white rose petals on the long red carpet. At one and a half, Jill looks like a little cherub with her big cheeks and blond curls framing her huge brown eyes. Madison looks like a giant next to her, even though she’s not even four yet. Either way, those two are definitely stealing the show. As I exhale, soft tendrils of hair flutter in front of my face.

“I’m ready,” I finally answer my father.

As Parker walks Julia down the aisle, she looks like she’s about to pop. I can’t even remember how many times we’ve had to have her stunning, floor-length teal dress adjusted to make room for her growing baby bump. Even though she’s only six months along, she already looks like she did when she was full-term last time. When I think of how much more she’s going to blow up in the next three months, it makes me think two children are enough for us.

My wedding party finds their places at the altar, just like we’ve practiced many times. Colt is waiting for me at the end of the aisle, standing tall and proud. Part of me wants to run down this carpet and just jump into his arms, screaming “I do! I do!” However, a larger part of me can’t wait to soak up every second of this moment. I always knew I was destined for a red carpet one day, and now I’m gonna drink it in as every eye in this place is locked on me.

The organist begins chiming up “The Wedding Song” as my father and I launch forward. My mermaid-cut gown is difficult to walk in, not to mention breathe in. A little discomfort is worth it for this moment. My eyes lock with Colt’s, and his mouth opens a little as he watches me close the distance between us. I haven’t followed most of the traditional pre-wedding rules. I don’t have something old or new, borrowed or blue, but I did insist on one thing; that Colt couldn’t see me in the dress until right now. As I watch the wide array of emotions battle it out on his face, I know I made the right choice.

My father stops a foot short of Colt and gives him my hand. “Take care of her, son.” His voice trembles and I watch Dad’s eyes mist up.

“I will, sir.” Colt nods and my father takes his seat in the front pew with my mother, where they both wipe away their tears.

My mind buzzes like a hive as the pastor begins his speech.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

I can barely pay attention. Instead, my focus is entirely devoted to the man of my dreams standing beside me. I think back to when I first met him, almost five years ago. A smile spreads over my crimson lips as I remember how relentlessly he pursued me that night only to disappear into the ether for nearly two years. When he reappeared in my life, I never could have known the incredible journey we would embark on together, a journey that’s really only beginning.

“I’ve written my own vows,” Colt interrupts my thoughts and frees my hands from his clasp to pull out a paper from his pocket.

My heart is like a hummingbird’s wings in my chest. We agreed we both wanted to speak from our hearts instead of reciting the usual passages at every wedding, however, neither of us has read what the other has written. I’m anxious to hear what Colt has to say.

Colt clears his throat, something I know he only does when he’s nervous. “Isabella, I used to wander around feeling lost and guilty. I had an overwhelming sense I wasn’t whole, but as a man with a lot of privileges in his life, I knew I had no room to complain. The second I met you, I knew what was missing. I remember I had told my brother, Trevor, that you were ‘the one’ before I even introduced myself. He laughed at me then, but he’s looking down on us now, just shaking his head saying ‘the heart knows when it’s right’.” Colt’s voice trembles and he pulls air deep into his lungs. “I never knew I could start and end every day with so much joy, and you are the reason for it all. You’re an amazing mother, daughter, student, and friend. Now I can’t wait to add one more title to that list—my amazing wife. I love you with every smile, with every kiss, with every breath, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life loving you.”

Tears stream down my cheeks, and I try to dab them away carefully, so my makeup doesn’t melt down.

“And now the bride has her own vows to read,” Pastor Greg announces to the church.

I don’t have a paper to pull out, since I have no place to put it. Instead, I memorized my words in front of the mirror like a politician getting ready for an election.

“Colt, I used to be a cynical girl, much too cynical for the twenty-eight-year-old you met a few years ago. I look back on that time with sadness because I realize I had lost myself, and I had lost hope. Then you came into my world, and you breathed new life into my stale soul. I learned it’s never too late to change your life, and it’s never too late to find your happiness. You taught me how to want more for myself, for our children, and for my family. I’m grateful every single day that I met you. I can’t imagine my life as that sad, cynical woman. Thank you for showing me joy, compassion, understanding, and love. With my heart wide-open and my eyes clear I can say I love you, and I want to spend every day I have left on this earth by your side, as your wife.” I wipe the now steady stream of tears off my cheeks. I knew I wasn’t going to get through this without crying, but that’s what happens when you open your heart to someone, I guess. It turns you into a big softie.

“Colt, do you have the ring?” Pastor Greg directs him, and Colt looks over his shoulder at Parker, who hands him the oval diamond wedding band from his jacket as I hold out my shaking hand.

I can’t make out more than fragments of words as I hold my breath, not pulling air into my lungs again until he slides the band over my finger. In a blur, I realize I’m being instructed to do the same. I turn to Julia, who hands me Colt’s ring she was wearing around her thumb for safekeeping. I parrot the words being directed by the pastor before sliding Colt’s band halfway down his finger, and he pulls it on the rest of the way.

“Before today, you have kissed each other perhaps a million times,” Pastor Greg proclaims. “However, it is my honor to announce that now you may share your first kiss, joined in your promise under God. Colt, you may now kiss your wife.”

My husband wraps his arms around me and looks deep into my eyes before softly kissing me. I close my eyes, and I swear, I can hear both our hearts beating at the same time, in sync.

The church erupts in clapping and cheers as I face the crowd as Mrs. Isabella Grant. Our children are all smiles as they rush over to us and wrap their arms around our legs. I know this is just the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, our chapter as husband and wife. As long as we all stick together there’s nothing we can’t do together… as a family.

* * *