?Are you ready??
?For all my dreams to come true? Yes, Daddy.? said with the softest of nervous chuckles.
Dylan smiled up at her Father, a single tear trickling down her cheek. Quickly, Grady Daniels, lifted his hand to gently wipe away the tear from his only daughter's cheek. The man who never cried, who never showed emotion, sucked in his bottom lip and a shudder wracked his body as he took a shaky breath.
?We can still run. I've got the truck keys in my pocket and a shot gun in the truck bed.? He joked softly, forcing his words to pass the lump in his throat as he looked over his daughter and fixed her veil.
?He's waiting for me. He will always wait for me.? She reassured her Father and shook her finger at him. ?Keep it together or I'll lose it.?
Grady took in another breath and tried to put on a stiff upper lip. ?You're always beautiful, but today, you are exquisite.? Reaching over, he took Dylan's bouquet from Katt who had just stepped forward to let them know that the bridesmaids were going to take their places at the front of the altar that had been constructed in the beautiful rustic barn that Travis had built just for the occasion.
Dylan nodded and smiled at her friend before Katt turned to join the other ladies who Dylan held the closest to her heart and they entered the structure, walking down the aisle to stand on the opposite side of the altar from where the Groom and his men stood.
?Alright Pickle. It's go time.? Her Father spoke softly and nudged her before handing her bouquet over. The flower girl and ring bearer had a twenty-five second lead on Dylan. Stepping in front of the open doors, the late afternoon sun shone behind Dylan, illuminating the lace gown that had been designed just for her. It was reminiscent of the late Grace Kelly's wedding gown that had been worn during her union to Prince Rainier of Monaco.
It took a moment for Dylan's eyes to adjust. The soft twang of Ingrid Michaelson singing a cover of ?I can't help falling in love, ? played softly as she began to walk down the aisle. Everyone had risen as she entered and she saw her Mother dab at the corner of her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief. Despite the loving group of friends and family who had joined them for their wedding day, Travis was not hard to miss. He stood of course at the altar and several inches taller than most of the guests. Once her eyes found him, they didn't leave until her Father softly cleared his throat and paused. Dylan turned to him and gave a small nod. Raising her hand, Grady placed a soft kiss on her knuckles and then reached out to Travis to beckon him forward and to place the couples hands together. The music softly faded out and as it did, Dylan looked over her shoulder to where her Father had joined her Mother and mouthed ?I love you.? Her eyes moved to the two empty seats beside her parents that held framed photos of Travis' deceased parents and then to the two candles that had been placed in their memory.
Gently, Travis ran his fingers over her's and guided her a few steps forward where the Priest they had chosen waited. Once they were facing one another, The Priest began to speak.
?Friends and Family, on behalf of Travis and Dylan, I welcome you all to this marriage ceremony. We are here today to encourage, celebrate and support the covenant that Travis and Dylan are going to make and to share in the joy that they will experience as they pledge their love and commitment to one another. We rejoice in the manner of which God has led them to each other and lead them to the place where they now stand.
In Corinthians 13, we are reminded ?Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.?
With never ending love you both will live your new lives in harmony with the Lord who is on your side. Ecclesiastes says ?Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.? Continue to keep the Lord in your marriage and cherish this sacred union, if you do so, you will have a marriage that will no doubt be blessed and last to times indefinite.?
Lifting his head, the Priest spoke to the audience. ?Who gives this woman to be married??
Grady stood and nervously buttoned his suit coat. ?Her Mother and I.?
With her Father's consent, the Priest spoke again. ?Travis and Dylan have chosen to write their own vows.? He took a step back and motioned for them to begin.
Travis looked to Dylan, giving her one of his breathtakingly beautiful half smiles that always made her heart beat faster.
?Dylan, ?I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, for there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I promise to be your partner in all things, not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole. Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things. ?
She had done her best to not cry, but by the end of his vows, she couldn't stop herself. Sniffling softly, she nodded her head and smiled to him. ?I love you.? Licking her lips, she then began to speak.
?Travis, I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and my one true love. I promise to encourage you and inspire you and to love you truly through good times and bad. I will forever be there to laugh with you, to lift you up when you are down and to love you unconditionally through all of our adventures in life together. I will be the wings that keep your heart in the clouds and you will be the anchor that keeps my feet on the ground. This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.?
She swore that as she spoke her vows, she saw him getting misty eyed although he smiled at her encouragingly as she stumbled once or twice from being choked up. Letting out a breath, her cheeks blushed softly behind her veil.
?Please join hands.? the Priest spoke again and Katt stepped forward to take Dylan's bouquet. Once Travis and Dylan joined hands, he spoke again to recite more traditional vows.
?Travis, do you take Dylan to be your lawful wedded wife to have and to behold from this day forward??
?I do.?
?Dylan, do you take Travis to be your lawful wedded husband to have and to behold from this day forward??
?I do.?
The Priest then spoke again,?The wedding ring symbolizes unity, a circle unbroken, without beginning or end. Travis and Dylan exchange these rings as confirmation of their vows to join their lives, to work at all times to create a life that is complete and unbroken and to love each other unconditionally. May the Lord bless these rings which you give to each other as the symbol of your love and fidelity.
?Travis, take this ring and place it on your bride's finger, and state your pledge to her, repeating after me:
With this ring, I give you my heart. I promise from this day forward, you shall not walk alone and that my heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home. ?
The ring was slipped on to her finger as Travis clearly stated his pledge to her.
?Dylan, take this ring and place it on your groom's finger, and state your pledge to him, repeating after me:
With this ring, I give you my heart. I promise from this day forward, you shall not walk alone and that my heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home. ?
Finally having been able to get her tears under control, she spoke her pledge.
?With your vows spoken in front of these witnesses and in the presence of God, I now pronounce you: Husband and Wife. You may kiss your bride.?
As Travis leaned in to lift Dylan's veil, music once again played softly, the sound of Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap.
The guests erupted in applause as Travis put his hands to Dylan's face and leaned down to kiss her.
?May I present, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Preston.? said loudly over the noise of the celebration.
The applause and music continued as Travis and Dylan made their way back down the aisle.
