The next morning started out normal, the smell of coffee and bacon wafting through the house as my senses came alive. Actually, I wasn't really that much asleep. After all, today was my wedding day, and I found myself as excited today as I had been when Marc and I first got married. We have been through so much during our marriage, and it was because of that love that we were able to be here now to renew our vows once again.
I took a deep breath and looked over at Marc, who was sleeping peacefully next to me. I really wondered what he was dreaming of, but more importantly I wondered if he had been this calm at our first wedding.
The wedding was to be at 11:00 this morning, so breakfast was the only time Marc and I would be allowed to see each other before we walked down the aisle.
After breakfast, I was whisked away by the women of the house, while Marc was whisked away by the men. I had told Miss Bea my size when I first called to make the reservations, and she had sounded as if she was beaming. Now I know why.
When I walked into the dressing room, there was a beautiful satin wedding dress, a soft peach, complete with veil mini pearls.
"Oh, my goodness! Miss Bea this is beautiful," I said, as I gingerly felt the fabric.
"It was mine once upon a time," Miss Bea said. She smiled a smile that was for her memory only. "I would be honored if this was your 'borrowed' item," she continued, as she refocused on us.
"Oh, Miss Bea! I'm the one who'd be honored. Thank you," I added, hugging her.
And keeping with wedding traditions, Jessica Michaels said, "This is 'blue' and 'old.'" She handed me her broach that was blue and beautiful. "And this, this is 'new,'" she added, as she handed me a gift-wrapped box.
"What is it?" I asked with shining, childlike awe."
"You won't know until you open it, silly," Jessica said.
"You are so right." I began to open it. Inside the box was a beautiful strand of pearls. "Oh, my gosh! They are beautiful."
"They are your 'something new.'"
"Now did we forget anything?" Miss Bea asked, looking around. Then she went to the door and exclaimed, "Ah, yes!" as she opening the door. "You can't get married without your bride's maid and best friend. I believe it was Sandra Annette?" she asked, as Sandra appeared in the entry way. As Sandra and I hugged and laughed, Miss Bea watched the time carefully, almost as if she were a den mother. Then she reminded me of the man who would be waiting at the alter if I didn't start getting ready.
"Oh, yeah," I said as we started getting ready. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours as they helped me get ready for the ceremony. Finally, I was ready and looked at my reflection in the mirror.
I suddenly felt like this was the first time I was marrying this man. As I stood at the mirror, Miss Bea and the others, except for Sandra, hurried out of the room to take care of things and leave Sandra and me alone for awhile to catch up.
Soon the door reopened, and an excited Miss Bea announced everyone was ready. She then moved aside as Sandra's escort came to collect his lady to walk down the aisle. It was, of course, Joey, my brother and Sandra's husband.
I was able to give him a quick hug, and he whispered his congrats in my ear before taking Sandra to the garden.
Before long, I was in the room alone waiting for my cue. As I looked in the mirror, tears continued to roll down my eyes. This was really going to be a great wedding, with both my best friend and brother here. Clearly someone had been working behind my back after I had made the reservations. Then I looked again at the dress. It was truly beautiful, just as beautiful as the one I had worn when I first married Marc.
That was when I not only remembered the years I had already spent loving Marc but contemplated the future years I would love him. I also began going over my vows to him in my mind. I'm not sure how much time had passed, but before long the door slowly opened and Miss Bea stuck her head in.
"Ready, dear?"
"I think so," I said, taking a deep breath. "I was this nervous when we first married as well. Marc is such a wonderful man, and we have been through so much together."
"You will have to tell me about your past dear, but now it's time to renew those very special vows you and Marc told us about at dinner last night."
"That's right," I said. "Remind me to tell you about our history tomorrow."
"Oh, I will dear. I love knowing our guests, especially those that renew their wedding vows here."
As we were nearing the garden entrance, I stopped Miss Bea. "Who, I mean how, did my best friend and brother know?"
"As you said, dear, you have a very special man," she answered, with a mischievous laugh, as if she also had something to do with their appearance today. Before long, Miss Bea and I were at the entry to the garden. She asked me to wait until she signaled me.
Luckily, I didn't have to wait long. I didn't want to wait one second longer then necessary before I could be next to my beloved again.
Soon the music started and a tall man at the piano began singing. I began walking slowly down the aisle to the music, the words bring tears to eyes.
You look pretty as a picture
With those flowers in your hair.
Years from now I will remember
This vow I made to show I care.
Even as those flowers fade to brown,
I will love you then as I do now.(CHORUS)
I give you my word,
I swear that I will
Love you until
Time stands still.
Forever I'm yours,
For better or worse.
I stand before God,
And give you my word--
Oh...I do give you my word.There must be somebody watching
Over me from up above,
Cause they've given me an angel,
Knowing we'd make a perfect love.
I don't know if words can go as deep,
But here is my promise I will keep."I reached the front, and Marc took my hand in his as we waited for the song to finish. I could see in Marc's eyes that he also was moved by those beautiful words.
When soloist had finished, the minister came forward and began talking.
"First I want to say to James, thank you, James. That was truly beautiful." Then he faced us as James went back to his seat.
"We are here today to share in the rejoining together of Marc and Carrie Taylor," the minister said to the guests. Then he turned to us.
"From what I have heard, you two have shared a lifetime together, both good and bad. But you always found a way to be there for and with each other, and that love has brought you here today to renew that treasured love in front of God and these witnesses. I understand that you both have written your own vows." We both nodded. "Then, Carrie, please go first. Marc, you will follow."
I smiled and looked from the minister to Marc. Taking a deep breath, I began.
"Before we met, the man of my dreams had almost faded. You know the one--the one I had created in my mind. It was at those times I asked myself what I would say to him if he were really here. Forgive me, I've never known this feeling, you brought it to me for the first time. Now as you stand before me, I am asking, 'Is there any way to tell you how my life has changed, any way to show you what sweetness you have given me?' There is so much to say that I can't find the words, except for these--I love you," I said, while just looking at Marc, smiling, as tears started rolling down my cheeks.
Marc wiped my tears before he took my hands. Then he began.
"You are my life, my love, and my heart. I could never have done any of the things I did in my life if it weren't for you. You were by my side every step of the way, and you still are. You always believed in me and never gave up believing that I would come back to you when we were separated for so long before we were married. It was that love that was my guide leading me back to you. And I will forever love you."
He kissed my hands, and then we both turned back to face the minister.
"Carrie, do you continue to take Marc as your husband, to love him, honor him, and cherish him until death?"
"Yes."
"Marc, do you continue to take Carrie as your wife, to love, honor, and cherish her in sickness and in health, richer or poorer, good times and bad until death?"
"Yes."
"I now reunite you as husband and wife. You may kiss your beautiful bride."
Marc did, and we turned to face the guests.
"I now reintroduce all of you to Mr. and Mrs. Marc Taylor."
Everyone cheered and began clapping as they encircled us, congratulating us again.
-------------------------------------------------------
The song in this story, "I Give You My Word," was originally recorded by George Fox and later by James Hall. Music and lyrics written by Kim Tribble and George Fox. © 1995.
If you enjoyed this story, e-mail Debi and encourage her with your thoughts and comments.