Kate and Bruce decided not to have a wedding party. The day would just be about the two of them. They wanted to share the love they had for one another with others without holding anyone else financially obligated to be a part.
The couple spent the night apart, the first in many weeks. Kate had not been able to sleep that night without feeling Bruce’s warm embrace. She tossed and turned, partially because of his absence, mostly because of her anxiety about the wedding.
It had been so much easier to say ‘I do’ with no one else around. Now, they would have an audience and for some reason, that seemed to make it feel more official.
The wedding coordinator sent Kate a text to let her know that everything was going as planned and she had nothing to worry about. As she approached the ranch, Kate was overcome by the sight of the roses intertwined with the wrought iron gate. As she drove in, she could see the workers hustling to and fro setting up the white fold up chairs.
As soon as she pulled her car in to the driveway, there was a valet there to meet her.
“Thank you,” she said as she gave him the keys.
“Bruce thought that since we invited so many guests, we should have a valet help with parking.”
Kate was relieved to see Mrs. Stanger standing at the door.
“I guess it is a good idea. He is always on top of things.”
Her mother in law was smiling from ear to ear. She patted Kate on the hand gently.
“Your friend Linda delivered your dress and all of your clothing and accessories yesterday. And your hair and makeup artist are both here already waiting on you.”
“This is starting to feel unreal.” Kate was not sure if she was overwhelmed in a good way or a not so good way.
“Right this way dear.” Mrs. Stanger spoke slowly, with a low voice tone, almost as if she did not want to startle Kate.
She took her toward the back of the house, where there was a small suite. Kate had no idea that the house was that expansive.
“You can dress in here. And Kate,” Mrs. Stanger turned to her. “Every girl needs to feel like a princess at some time. Just so happens that most of us call that day our wedding day.”
Her mother in law’s reassuring smile was supposed to make Kate feel more calm, but all it did was make her feel slightly more unsure about the entire wedding.
“What was your day like?” Kate took a chance asking. She did not know what she expected the answer to be.
Briefly, it seemed as if the older woman ventured into a far off land. “When my husband and I married, we were two young kids who did not have any money. Just dreams of being together and having a loving family. I’ll tell you a little secret,” the woman chuckled and leaned in closely.
“My mother in law did not like me. Wanted my husband to marry this sophisticated little tartlet. What the woman did not know was that tartlet was beautiful, came from money, but she was willing to be with whomever was the highest bidder. My husband on the other hand, he chose quality. A foul mouthed, tomboy who could out fish him any day of the week.”
Kate laughed at the revelation. “I would have never seen you as a foul mouthed tomboy.”
Mrs. Stanger nodded. “Yes well, I was a spitfire in my day. But we bought this ranch, invested in ourselves, and although we only had one child, we were blessed. Life has been good. To see the two of you so happy, it does my heart good. We understand why the two of you did it privately the first time. But as a parent, especially as a mother, there is something about marking off your list the fact that you watched your child profess an undying love for another human being. So you get in there, get prettied up, and go ahead and marry the man you love all over again.”
Kate could barely speak after the outpouring of love that flowed from her mother in law’s advice. She simply mouthed the words ‘Thank You’ and the elder woman nodded and walked away.
*****
The harp played softly. It was the signal to all of the guests that the ceremony was starting. Everyone turned to face the beginning of the walkway. First down the aisle was Bruce’s parents. The couple strolled arm and arm, smiling as the made their way down the blue carpeted path.
Kate’s parents came down the aisle next, each of them beaming with pride. The couples took a seat in the front row. Bruce was next down the aisle. He was exceptionally dapper in a white tuxedo with the cerulean accented cummerbund and corsage.
The music changed to a more uptempo tune, and everyone knew that the bride was coming. Kate stood at the porch, thinking to herself that the journey down the carpet seemed so long. Especially with all eyes on her. She had chosen a white, floor length, satin sheath dress. Accented with a blue and white flowers intertwined in her crown braid, she looked like a goddess.
Kate took a deep breath and began walking down the aisle. For their ceremony, they went a bit non-traditional, so her father did not walk her down the aisle to meet her husband. To Kate, it seemed a bit much to be given away when she was already married.
As soon as she made her way down the steps of the porch, the guests all gasped with joy. People were waving, smiling, beaming with happiness. There was a sea of people, some faces she could quickly recognize, some she could not. It was hard to focus on the trek ahead.
Then she looked up and saw Bruce standing there. He was beyond handsome in his tux. He had even picked out his own attire without the benefit of her expertise. Seeing what he had chosen, Kate was proud of him.
Before she could control it, the tears began to well up in her eyes. Kate did her best to fight them back because she did not have any tissue. She felt as if she was gliding down the carpet. It was as if she was not in her body. The entire scene felt surreal.
When she finally made it down the aisle, Kate was thankful that Bruce took her by the hand because she was not too sure her knees would not fail her.
Taking a deep breath, Kate tried to calm her heart from racing. She had not been this nervous the first time around.
The officiant began the ceremony.
“We are gathered here today to witness the joining of two hearts. Bruce and Kate would like to demonstrate their commitment and their love for one another during this ceremony. We are all here to simply witness.”
Bruce was the first to speak. “This woman here has made me the happiest man on Earth. As many of you know, we met when I walked in to her boutique looking for help as a fashion challenged, middle aged man. She took pity on me and helped me make sense of patterns and colors. I mean, who knew that there were so many shades of blue?”
The guests laughed.
“I certainly didn’t. That is what is so wonderful about her. She has the ability to help you become the best you. She did not try to change me and that is what I love about her.
“Kate, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. You make each day worth it. I’m not a man of many words, but I would like you to know. Hell, I would like everyone to know, I am in love with you. I can only hope that I will make you happy for the rest of our lives together. I am so glad, so appreciative, that you said yes.”
The female guests were gushing, oohs and ahhs, and the photographer kept the camera flashing.
Everyone turned to Kate to hear what she would say.