Page 170 of Dare to Hold
I promise to listen more than I speak, to hold your hand when you’re scared, and to celebrate every win like it’s the best day of our lives.
I promise to lead with humility, love without conditions, and laugh at every single ridiculous thing you say because let’s be real, there’ll be a lot.
You’re the best yes I’ve ever had.
And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt it.”
She wipes a tear and smiles up at me, voice trembling but sure.
"Gray Bennett…
You weren’t the plan.
You were the surprise.
The grace I didn’t know I could receive.
The steady voice in the chaos.
The hand I wasn’t afraid to hold.
Even when I was terrified of falling.
You loved me when I didn’t feel lovable.
You prayed for me when I didn’t know how.
And you never rushed me, even when it would’ve been easier to walk away.
I used to think faith was about being perfect.
Now I know it’s about being loved anyway.
So today, I vow to love you that same way, flawed and full of grace.
I promise to believe in what God is doing in you and in us, even when the road gets hard.
To show up, speak truth, and stay rooted in what matters most.
And I promise to always, always choose you,
The man who dared me to believe in love and in Jesus.
You’re my answered prayer, Gray.
And my forever favorite miracle.”
And when Jack says, “Gray Bennett, you may now kiss your bride,” I swear the sky gets a little brighter.
I look at her—my wife—and time slows down.
“I love you,” I whisper. My eyes lock onto hers, and I lean in just enough that only she can hear the next part. “And I can’t wait to show you just how much...the second we’re alone.”
Her breath catches, and for a beat, she just looks at me—like I’m the only person in the world. Then that smile breaks across her face, slow and radiant, like the sun itself lives in her.
And that’s when I kiss her—because I can’t go one more second without doing it.
Slow and tender at first, like we’re both savoring the moment we’ve waited so long for. Her lips are soft, warm, familiar and new all at once. My hands find her waist, pulling her gently closer, like I’m anchoring myself in this single breath of forever.
