Page 42 of Uncovering Love: The Wedding

“So, on this beautiful evening, just before the sunset lights this gorgeous sky behind us, we will begin with the vows this couple has written to express their promises and commitment for their future together. Evie, I believe you’re up first.”

Taking my flowers from Kate, I sift through the arrangement until I find what I’m looking for and hand them back. Unfolding the tiny square of paper tucked inside the bouquet until it’s once again a full sized sheet, I glance at the vows I penned over the course of this past month. “I have a few things to say,” I tease, which earns a few chuckles.

Lifting my gaze, I meet his familiar green eyes and the two dimples that pop with his inviting smile. We haven’t shared these yet. Deciding to write our own vows was my idea originally, but now nerves prickle my belly as words aren’t enough to capture my exact emotions for this man. I clear my throat and glance down at my words.

“Tate, today as I take your hand and our lives are forever intertwined, I want to first thank you, for letting me in, for loving me, and for helping me to become a better version of myself. I promise to do my very best as your wife, to always stay true to these vows, and if I ever fall short, we have plenty of witnesses to set me straight.” I cast a glance toward my bridesmaids, Kate, Melissa, and Carly, and reflect on all the sound advice they’ve given me over the past year. Over Tate’s shoulder, Jon, my other best friend, gives me a wink. My heart is so full in this moment that my nerves evaporate.

“I promise not to hold it against you that you exercise and eat healthy more than enough for both of us when I’d rather live on pizza and food trucks.”

“Not that there’s anything wrong with that,” he shares our standing joke with a goofy grin I can’t help but return.

“There’s nothing wrong with that.” My cheeks hurt because I swear to God I’ve never smiled this wide before. “I promise to always give you my truth, if you give me yours; that I’ll love you through all the troubles that come our way. I’ll always pick you, Tate. You’re my number one draft selection.” Tears sneak through my smile with emotion that clogs my throat. Maybe I was wrong before; maybe wordsareenough.

My voice breaks but I push through what I’ve written anyway, my eyes locked with his. “And I’ll keep choosing you, every year that I’m blessed with life on this earth. Always and forever.”

I refold the paper until it is once again small and press it into my palm, where I feel the words linked directly to my heart.

“Tate.” Maggie urges.

He nods, still blinking as he retrieves a note the size of a cocktail napkin. He shakes his head and when his gaze lands back to me there are a few tears on his cheeks. “Sorry,” He brushes the backs of his palms across his skin to sweep them away and shakes his head with another smile. “I didn’t think I’d be so emotional.”

“It’s okay,” I whisper, reaching out to hold his free hand.

His other holds up the tiny paper filled with chicken scratch. He takes a deep breath when I squeeze his hand. “I’m not a writer and my words feel inadequate compared to the love I feel for you. I’ve been the luckiest man since the day you walked into my life, Evelyn Harper. Do you remember the exact moment? My eyes found yours in that crowd of people as if they already knew you were my home.”

I nod and mash my lips together. My eyes fill with more happy tears.

“You’re the person I’ve been searching for my whole life, except I didn’t even know it yet. Fate brought us together; or rather ... a little meddling from Kate.” At that, everyone chuckles and he waits for their amusement to die down before he continues. He doesn’t need to steal a glance at the paper for the rest of his vows. “I promise to never forget how precious your heart is, to always treat you with the respect and generosity you give to me. I’ll be strong for you when you feel weak. Support your career. Encourage you to pursue the things your heart desires. I promise to give you everything you need, the best that I can.”

“I only need you,” I whisper, because it’s true.

“You deserve the world.”

Except he is my world. He really is.

“I will love you with my very last breath. Always and forever.”

The sniffles at my back, undoubtedly my pregnant friends, join Claire’s babbles and fill this moment until Maggie interrupts. “The rings?” Tate turns to Jon, who’s already holding them out.

“These rings, a symbol and physical representation to the world of your unending love and commitment to each other, serve to always remind you of today’s blessings, promises, and truths, even in the face of challenge.” Her voice rings boldly as we each take the other’s band.

Tate holds his ring for me between his thumb and forefinger, and slips it partially up my finger before he pauses to recite, “I, Tate Reynolds, offer this ring to you, Evelyn Harper, as a symbol of my love, and with it I join my life to yours.” He slides the metal further along my finger, aligning it with the diamond solitaire already in place.

I inhale a shaky breath, practicing the memorized vow in my mind as I twist the simple tungsten band for him around my thumb.

“Evie?” Maggie invites.

“I, Evelyn Harper, offer this ring to you, Tate Reynolds, as a symbol of my love. With it I join my life to yours.” I slide the band over his finger. He’s mine. Really mine.

“While marriage is a sacred commitment of love, it’s also a legal ceremony. At this time I’d like to invite the maid of honor and best man to join us for the signing of the marriage license.”

With my hand clenched in Tate’s, we follow Maggie to a small table off to the side, and Kate and Jon trail behind. Our DJ strikes up a tune that croons about promises and love as Maggie opens a folder and hands me a pen.

“Last chance to run!” Kate whispers, a teasing smile on her pink painted lips, but it catches Maggie’s mic, amplifies over the music, and causes our guests to laugh.

“Not running,” I say to Tate as my fingers fly with my signature and I hand him the pen. When the document is signed and tucked safely back in the folder, we return to our spots. No longer nervous, I’m able to finally look around and see how beautiful everything turned out. Beyond this area, picnic tables are covered in white linens and centerpieces of mason jars filled with wildflowers and tied with colorful ribbon. A line-up of four food trucks is ready for the party to begin, and the aromas of my favorite foods meld together and waft overhead with the slight breeze. My stomach rumbles with hunger as the song comes to an end. I’m even more appreciative that we opted for a short and sweet ceremony.

Maggie clears her throat, drawing the attention back to her. Tate squeezes both of my hands in his as we face each other. His smile and the dimples that appear every time it widens make my heart melt a little more. You’d think it’d be impossible. That I’d be a puddle of goo after he’s looked at me like this all these months together. But I’m not. It’s a curious combustion, what that smile does to my body, heart, and mind. I’d be lost without him, yet his unselfish love transforms me into a stronger, bolder, brighter version of myself.

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