Page 110 of All of Me

I promise that you will always come first. From the moment you entered my world, you have filled it with life, color, and energy like never before… like Kool-aid in a mud puddle… or a cupcake in a salad… or a rose garden in a junk yard.

You are my rose, Callie Madden.

And I promise to devote my life to being your dirt.

May our marriage be a gift to the world and our families, as your love is a gift to me.

thirty-nine

ALL OF ME - JOHN LEGEND

CALLIE - JULY 26, 2014

My tears spill over as he finishes reciting his beautiful promises to me, and I can’t help but feel like I’m not going to be able to follow his opening act. This man is a saint in my eyes. And I still can’t believe he’s mine.

My voice wavers as I speak, knowing these are words we will carry with us forever. Words of love, of trust, and of the life we’re building together.

Owen Theodore Klein,

Nothing in this universe makes me happier than knowing that, as of today, you are stuck with me forever.

Ever since the day we met, I knew that there was something special about you. And it didn’t take me long to realize that you are my soulmate. My twin flame.

You always know exactly what to say to make me smile. I have never known a man that is more genuine than you. Before you, I never thought that love like this existed. I am so glad it does and will forever be grateful to you for showing me a love this incredible.

I promise to appreciate you, always. And to fall more in love with you with every breath I take.

You are the most amazing father and I promise to be the best mother to our children I can be.

I promise to give this my all every single day and do my best to be the wife you deserve.

I promise to always make sure you know I am here for you whenever you need me.

No matter what life throws our way, I promise I will always stand by your side. Until death do us part.

And, most of all, I promise you that I will smack you in the back of the head every time you say you are ‘merely average.’ Because you are so much more than that.

You are Super Man. You understand me in a way no one else does. My heart was made to love you. And my soul will cherish you forever.

I love you, madly.

There’s not a dry eye in sight by the time we finish our vows.

“Now, it is time to exchange rings,” Olivia announces, another unique component to our ceremony that I’ve been most looking forward to: we are using the vows from the ring exchange in the movieThe Corpse Bride:

With this hand, I will lift your sorrows.

Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.

Like a candle, I will light your way in darkness.

With this ring, I ask you to be mine.

The rings, the kiss, the cheers of our family and friends, it all blurs together in a haze of pure joy. The moment the officiant says, “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” everything sharpens into perfect focus. Owen pulls me into his arms, and the world around us fades. There is nothing but him.

Hand in hand, we walk down the aisle together, Barrett running ahead of us, his little yellow bow tie slightly crooked. The sound of clapping and cheering feels distant, like it’s coming from another world. I glance up at Owen, his dark eyes full of emotion, and the smile on his lips makes my heart feel like it could burst. In this moment, everything feels complete in a way I never imagined possible.

Each step down the aisle feels like a promise of laughter, late-night talks, and growing through whatever life throws at us. His hand is warm and steady in mine, a perfect fit, as though it’s always belonged there. I look up at him, marveling at how he’s taken every broken piece of my life and turned it into something whole, something beautiful.

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