In The Blink Of An Eye

Today's Date

This was it... the final moments before our big day. As she finished the last couple of touches on me I reflected back to the first day I met Jake. I didn't know that was his name but I just knew that he was going to be someone who would change my life forever. Of course at the time, I didn't know how exactly. I remember getting that horrible robotic voiced video of him over the phone and wondering who he was and why he wanted to help me. I remember wondering what he looked like, what he actually sounded like and wondering if I would ever get to know the real him. Now years down the road here we were about to get married and share the rest of our lives together. I was aware that it was happening and I knew that this was the reality, yet somehow even right now I couldn't believe that this day was finally here.

August 17th 4:00 p.m.

With my bouquet in my hand I slowly walked down to the venue. As I approached the stairs that divided me from everyone at our wedding who was waiting for me to walk down, I saw my dad standing at the corner. The minute he laid his eyes on me I saw tears fall down his face. He couldn't take his eyes off of me. I mean I don't blame him, he had probably waited for this day just as much as I have.

"Honey you look stunning!!! I can't even begin to tell you how beautiful you are."

"Thank you dad. I'm just so nervous to go down."

"I know sweetie, your mom was just as nervous to go down and see me too on our wedding day. She told me that story a hundred times. But the minute you lay eyes on Jake everything around you will disappear and the only thing that's going to matter is you and him."

"I just wish mom was here too. I never imagined that I would be getting married without her here."

"She's here honey and you know it. Your mom wouldn't miss your special day for anything in the world."

"Thanks dad. I just can't believe it's finally happening."

"Let's get you married, I'm sure Jake is waiting anxiously."

My dad put his arm under my arm and walked me down the stairs. With each step I took I felt more and more nervous and excited to see Jake and everyone else. As I took the last few steps of the stairs that were around the corner, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. With one last deep breath, I opened my eyes and saw the most beautiful and elegantly decorated venue. It was covered in white and light pink roses that led directly to the center of the venue where my eyes glanced up and I saw Jake standing. I slowly made my way to him without taking my eyes off of him for a single second. My dad was right! As beautiful as this place was, nothing mattered at that moment.

Within a few minutes I was standing right in front of him. The entire time my dad walked me up to him, Jake wiped the tears off of his eyes. I tried so hard not to break down in tears since I didn't want to ruin my makeup but it was nearly impossible for the tears to not just come down naturally. My dad looked at me, kissed me and handed my hands to Jake.

He grabbed my hands and smiled.

I knew the next part that was waiting for me. I knew all the words and the whole procedure yet for some reason I felt like things were so much different this time around. I was extremely happy when I got married to Evan and for us, it felt right doing it the way we did. But now standing here with Jake and marrying him in this beautiful venue wearing the dress of my dreams... It felt like a fairytale come true.

As we both looked at each other I felt Jake squeeze my hand to reassure me that everything was going to be okay. He could sense how nervous I was by the way my palms were sweating. While he looked at me he mouthed "I love you" and smiled. We were both snapped back to reality as we heard the officiant begin to speak.