“I have watched you both grow up, first as friends. Or should I say, friends,” He pointed to Scotty and Seth. “…And tagalong?” Pastor Nelson chuckled.
“Time passes, and though these children will live in our memories, they now stand before us today as adults to join their lives together forever as husband and wife. Who then gives this woman to be married to this man?”
Emma’s father placed her hand in Scotty’s, and her heart soared. Thank you, God. Help me to be a wonderful wife for this man. I love him so much.
Her father’s voice answered, “I do.” He then took his seat next to Molly, Grandma Tennie, and Pawpaw. The pastor held up two fingers and quickly brought them together. “Brian and Emma, as you prepare to pledge your vows to each other, let me remind you that marriage made in heaven is a union of two lives—two hearts that beat as one—so welded together that they walk and work in love.
“A husband and wife should bear each other’s burdens as well as share each other’s joy. One of the special things about your relationship is its longstanding. You have both proven to be considerate, loving, helpful and tenderhearted individuals. Now as married partners, apply those same qualities and put the other one’s needs first. Support one another in love.
“As a symbol of your union, please join hands.” Emma handed her bouquet to Rebecca and noticed a widening of her eyes, followed by the sounds of a puppy barking and wings flapping.
She and Scotty whirled around at the same time and watched as the twins dropped their baskets and gave chase, quickly followed by Rebecca’s youngest brother.
The pastor cleared his throat. “I haven’t come to the part about objecting yet. So, we will just assume there is no objection and the young folks and their critters had more pressing matters to attend to.”
Laughing, Emma and Scotty joined hands. She peered into the crowd to see the men and women who loved her, smiling in support. Molly and her father sat in front, each holding a newborn. Across the aisle, Scotty’s mother cried while his father patted her hand. Lois stood with the young girls from the Sunday School class they taught. So many friends and family members here joining in their celebration. Everything was perfect.
The pastor continued, “The ring is a symbol of the love you have for each other. Its unending circle represents the eternal quality of your love. And the gold in these rings symbolizes the purity of your love. Now you may seal your promise to each other by giving and receiving the rings.”
Seth reached into his pocket and retrieved the ring. The pastor continued, “Brian, place the ring on Emma’s finger and repeat after me:
“I, Brian, take you, Emma to be my wedded wife— To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and cherish ‘til death do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and with this ring, I pledge you my love.” He repeated in a strong, smooth voice, then placed a thin gold band on her finger.
Emma repeated her vows and placed a ring on her new husband’s finger. “I, Emma, take you, Brian, to be my wedded husband— To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse. for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health; to love and cherish ‘til death do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and with this ring, I pledge you my love.”
“Brian and Emma, in these moments I have heard you pledge your love and faith to each other.” The pastor winked. “Your friends and family members assembled here, most of them anyway, have heard you seal your solemn vows of marriage by giving and receiving the rings. Now it is my joy and personal privilege to declare you husband and wife.”
Pastor Nelson wiped his face with his handkerchief. “You may kiss your bride.”
Scotty lifted her veil and gazed into her eyes. After their lips met in their first kiss as man and wife, Pastor Nelson shook Scotty’s hand and hugged Emma before proclaiming, “Friends and family of the bride and groom, the family would like you to join them in celebrating with lunch on the grounds, which will be followed by games and music. And now it is my pleasure to present to you, Mr. And Mrs. Brian Scott.”
Emma and Scotty turned toward smiling faces and the melodious sounds of the violin. Emma placed her hand on Scotty’s arm and met his smile. “Everything was ..”
“…perfect,” he answered as a brown and black shepherd puppy chased the twins’ pet chicken down the aisle.
The End
Kimberly Grist is married to her high school sweetheart, Nelson, who is a pastor in Griffin, Georgia. She and her husband have three adult sons, one with Down syndrome, and they have a passion for encouraging others with family members with special needs. Kim is also a grandmother and proud to be a child of the living God. She feels called to help and encourage others and to share experiences both good and bad in order to be the witness that God would have us to be.
Kim has enjoyed writing since she was a young girl; however, she began writing her first novel in 2017. Inspired by so many things life has to offer, one of which includes her oldest son’s diagnosis of cancer, she finds it especially gratifying to write a happy ending. “Suffering is, of course, my least favorite thing. My objective is not to discuss my struggles specifically but to combine a love of history with biblical principles to produce a historical, Christian-based story that shows how God uses adversity for our good in ways we may never expect.”
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FaithFunandFriends/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GristKimberly
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/kimberlygrist
Website: https://kimberlygrist.com/
Also, by Kimberly Grist
Rebecca’s Hope https://amzn.to/2Ma9wg2
Emma's Dream Page 9
