There’s a knock at the door and I rub my hands over my face, “Come in.” I squint at the sunlight shining through the blinds.

“Good morning, Sleeping Beauty,” my mom says from the open door. She has a gift in her hand.

“What time is it?” I ask as I stretch my hands above my head.

“It’s almost ten o’clock.”

I toss the covers back and jump from my bed and stumble to the floor.

“Mom, I was supposed to be up already. Why didn’t you wake me?”

My mom walks over and places the gift on my bed and extends her hand to help me from the floor. “Honey, the wedding starts at six o’clock. We have to be at the country club at two to start getting ready. You have plenty of time.”

“I’m going to take a long bath with some bath salts to try and relax. I didn’t get much sleep last night. The last time I glanced at the clock it was after three.”

“When you're done, come downstairs, I have brunch in the kitchen. Lindsey and Karsen got here a few minutes ago.”

I nod. “Tell them I’ll be down in a little bit.”

“I will, but I want you to open this first.” She tilts her chin toward the package sitting on my bed.

There is a card attached to the box. I slide my finger along the seam, tearing it open. I pull the card out and recognize the handwriting.

My mom sits on the side of my bed watching me intently. “Did you know she wrote this?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “She gave it to me and asked me to give it to you on your wedding day. I didn’t know what she wrote.”

I hand the card to my mom and tear the paper off the box. I lift the lid off the box. Inside sits a diamond bracelet.

“To my Linny, you complete me. Love Rich.” Is written under the lid. My Papa wrote that to my Nana.

“My father gave this to my mother on her wedding day. She let me wear it for my something borrowed, but I was asked to give it back to her. She hoped to pass it along to her granddaughter.” My mother wipes the tears from her cheeks.

I pull my mom into a hug. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

My mom runs her hands up and down my back. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

* * *

Jamie’s mom stands from the kitchen island and walks over to me. She extends her arms to me and I walk into them.

“Good morning, bride-to-be.”

“Good morning mother-in-law.” I pull away and look at her and ask. “Have you heard from Jamie today?”

A smile appears on her face. “I spoke to him briefly this morning. He’s a ball of nerves. Said he didn’t sleep much last night.”

“I didn’t get much sleep either.”

“Sit, get something to eat. It’s going to be a long day.”

I grab a plate and a bowl from the counter. I scoop some fruit into the bowl and place French toast and bacon on my plate.

Karsen and Lindsey are standing in the yard, talking to my father.

There’s a knock at the door, then someone opens it. “Hello, the maid of honor is here!” Morgan yells form the foyer.

“Get in here and get something to eat,” I holler.

Morgan appears in the doorway of the kitchen and places her bags on the floor.

She walks over and throws her arms around my neck. “Hello, future Mrs. Banks. Don’t you look gorgeous today.”

“Shut up. I look like crap.” I point to my face. “How can you miss the dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep?”

“Shut it. You’re going to be the stunning bride who meets her prince at the end of the aisle today.”

Morgan grabs a plate and starts piling food onto it. “Did you eat in the past week?” I ask.

She raises her brow. “Of course, I did. Why?”

“From the looks of it, you wouldn’t know.” I point to her plate.

She waves her hand at me and continues to place bacon on her plate. “I’m not the one who will have all eyes on me. Big deal if I my stomach protrudes from my dress.”

“Morgan,” I say with wide eyes.

“I’m just kidding, Cami. Relax. Things are going to be crazy today, there may not be time to eat anything until cocktail hour or dinner. I need to stock up now.”

My mom and Michelle laugh as they watch the banter between us.

I get up to toss my plate in the trash and Michelle hands me a beautifully wrapped box when I sit back on the stool.

“Here you go, sweetie.”

“Oh my gosh, you didn’t have to do this,” I stare at her, tears threatening to spill over.

“Just open it, darling, you have made me the happiest woman today knowing you are marrying my son and making him the happiest man alive.”

I remove the card, as tears threaten to blur my vision, and slide my finger in to break the seal. Pulling the card out of the envelope, I start to read the words.

I throw my arms around Michelle’s neck. I clear my throat. “Thank you.”

My trembling fingers remove the paper, Morgan taking the remnants from me.

I gently lift the lid from the box. Inside sits a gorgeous knife set and cake server. I lift the knife out and the name ‘Banks’ is inscribed on the handle. ‘Banks’ is also inscribed on the cake server in an elegant inscription.

“Your mother and father gave us those for our wedding. I thought maybe you would like to borrow them.”

I stand up, pushing the stool back and pull Michelle into my arms and begin to cry. “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”

My mom says, “Now you know why I asked you not to buy these.”

Morgan, Lindsey and Karsen stand around the kitchen island. “Come in the living room, we have something for you,” Morgan says.

I follow the girls and sit on the couch.

Karsen approaches and hands me a box and sits on the floor in front of me. Morgan and Lindsey, sit on either side of me.

“This is from us girls,” Lindsey says.

I remove the paper and it’s a shoe box. When I lift the lid a card sits on top of tissue paper.

I slide the card open and it reads.

I peel the tissue paper back and a pair of blush heels with a striking cut-out pattern, a blue sole, and sparkling embellishments with a feminine touch sit nestled in the box. It’s the shoes that I fell in love with and didn’t buy.

Tears well in my eyes. “I have shoes. You didn’t have to do this.”

Lindsey laughs “No, we did. We didn’t miss the look in your eyes when you tried these on. We knew how much you loved them.”

Lindsey is right. I wanted them, but I couldn’t justify spending that much money on shoes that I would only wear once. I remember the moment Morgan slipped them on my feet. I felt like Cinderella when Prince Charming placed her glass slipper on her foot.

“If we didn’t buy you these, you would be walking down the aisle in your white Converse,” Karsen adds.

My eyes go wide. “What do you mean I would be walking down the aisle in my sneakers. I bought a pair of shoes. The three of you were with me.”

Morgan raises her finger to her chin. “Well…. You see. I returned them.”

“You retuned them? When? Will these work with my dress?”

Morgan shrugs her shoulders. “I came here a few weeks back and took them. We knew you wanted these, but you didn’t want to spend the money on them. So, this is our something blue to you. And yes, they will work with your dress. I measured the heels on the ones you picked out. They were the same height.”

Karsen chimes in, “And a sixpence in your shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. At least that’s what I read online on some wedding website.”

“Take them out of the box,” Lindsey says as she bounces excitedly on the couch next to me.

There is writing on the bottom of the shoes.

“Happy Wedding Day to the most beautiful bride and my best friend. I love you!” – Karsen

“Happy Wedding Day to the best friend a girl could ask for… EVER… since I was five years old.” – Morgan

“Happy Wedding Day to my sweet, beautiful friend. I wish you two all the happiness in the world. I love you!” – Lindsey

By the time, I read the last one my eyes are filled with tears. Each of my girls wrote something special. I am blessed to be surrounded by such amazingly generous and thoughtful friends and family.

I hug each one of my friends and walk over to the doorway and hug my mom and Michelle.

“Where did you get this idea from? I’ve heard of the something Old, Borrowed, Blue, and New concept, but the cards that you each wrote were beautiful.”

Karsen laughs, “Duh, Pinterest. Did you think we were that creative?” Everyone laughs and all I can do is shake my head.

We spend the next hour at the nail salon getting our nails and feet done. We make it to the country club at two o’clock on the dot as the make-up artist and the girl who is doing our hair are setting up.

“Are you ready to get this day started?” I ask as I take in the room.

I’m getting married in a few hours. I can’t believe it. Today is the day. I’m marrying my prince and I’ve never been happier than I am right now.

* * *

The image staring back at me as I take in my appearance in the full-length mirror is surreal. How much I’ve changed in a year. My life is filled with joy. My reflection shows a woman who is truly happy where she is in life. My eyes are bright and shine like the stars in the sky on a dark night. The permanent smile I have on my face today radiates with excitement.

Rubbing my palms on my dress to ensure there are no wrinkles, I think that the tiara and attached veil that rests on my head makes me look like a real-life princess.

I always heard you know this dress is ‘the one’ the second you try it on. The saying is true. The moment I slipped it on and stood in front of the mirror, I just knew. This was my dress. It doesn’t have any beading; it’s simply lace over satin with intricate shoulder straps. The back dips low with a zipper closure, and a train that goes on for what seems to be miles. I love how the lace embroidered bodice hugs my curves, while the V neckline accentuates my frame.

My dress isn’t the standard white. I chose an ivory lace over café-colored satin. I absolutely love it.

Since I was a little girl, I have always imagined what my wedding would be like. I never thought the man of my dreams would have been by my side my entire life. He was there to wipe my tears when I skinned my knee. He was there to help me learn how to catch a ball. He was there for all of my firsts. My heart belongs to him…it always has.

All of my girls are here in the room with me. Each of them promising not to make me cry. There is a soft knock at the door. Lindsey opens the door to find my brother standing there in his black tuxedo, looking as handsome as ever.

“Hot damn, you look fine,” Lindsey says with a whistle.

I hear my brother’s hearty laugh. “Thanks, you look beautiful, too.”

Morgan quickly walks to the door, trying to block his view of me in the room.

“You know the rules, no seeing the bride until she walks down the aisle with your dad,” Morgan says firmly.

“Relax, Maidzilla. I’m not trying to sneak a peek. I came bearing a gift from the groom.” Lindsey takes the box from Christian, while Morgan shuts the door in his face.

“Men…” Morgan mutters hastily.

I unfold the letter that Christian delivered from Jamie.

I try to keep the tears away, but I fail… miserably. Tears slide down my cheeks.

I open the box and my hand flies to my mouth. A diamond necklace sits there and a pair of solitaire diamond earrings. I notice something written on the inside of the lid of the box. A soft laugh escapes me. I recognize the handwriting. “Tink, you have my whole heart. Love always, Jamie.”

I sniffle a few times. Morgan turns me around and fastens the necklace around my neck while I put the earrings on. My fingers glide over the bracelet on my wrist. I know you’re here with me.

The dark streaks of mascara are quickly removed from my face and my make-up is fixed.

There is another soft knock at the door. My mom makes her way over to open it. My dad stands there in a black tux, looking just as I’d always envisioned he’d look on my wedding day.

He makes his way toward me. He takes my hands in his, leaning in to place a kiss on my cheek. “You look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart,” he says with unshed tears in his eyes. I am sure this is tough on him. But I will always be his little girl. No matter how old I am.

“Thank you.”

“Are you ready to become Mrs. Banks?”

“You better believe it.”

My dad extends his arm to me. I lace my hand through his elbow and we walk out of my bridal suite in silence.

We make our way down the hallway to the double wooden doors leading to the wedding

pavilion. Jamie and I had opted for an outdoor ceremony and what cemented our decision was when we saw this beautiful venue. With its outside area and the incredible landscaping that almost transports you to another time, to the quaint pergola covered with wisteria, the feeling you get when you see it all come together is almost breathtaking. To cap it all off, there’s a winding brick walkway that leads from the clubhouse to an enchanting gazebo where guests can mingle after the wedding.

The violinist begins to play “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri. The first time I heard her play, it was beautiful and I knew it had to be a part of our special day.

Christian escorts my mom down the brick walkway. My bridesmaids stand in front of the wooden doors, which open out to the patio directly in front of the garden. My stomach tightens and butterflies swirl like a wicked tornado. Jamie is waiting for me at the end of this path.

Each of my bridesmaids slowly walk to the front of the garden and stand near the gazebo.

I didn’t select the traditional song to walk down the aisle. I wanted something that expressed how I felt today. The violinist stops and “Longing to Belong” by Eddie Vedder begins to play softly in the background.

“Are you ready, sweetheart,” my father asks with tears in his eyes.

A knot forms in my throat, I can’t form any words. I simply nod my head, my eyes focusing solely on the man waiting at the end of the brick walkway.

I inhale a deep breath. My father and I start our journey to the altar, step by step. My father was the first man I ever loved and he plans to give me to Jamie, the last man I will ever love, and I couldn’t be more in love with either of them in this moment.