My summer holiday is well planned out. Spending one month at a fancy guest house with my five cousins to prepare for Aunt Medrine's wedding.
The unexpected happens when Aunt Medrine tells us that we are spending the month with her fiancé's two nephe...
When we take our sits the music changes. People stand and face the back door. And then, like someone who just stepped out of a fairytale, Aunt Medrine is there. Holding onto my dad's arm on her left and Uncle Mark's arm on her right
A few gasps sound in the church. Aunt Medrine smiles at her friends and family but when she gazes up at Ross, her eyes don't waver again. Not once.
When they reach the front of the church, my dad and Uncle Mark look hesitant. My heart goes out to them. She's their only sister. They are the only family she has had since their parents' tragic death. Now they have to trust someone else to look after her.
"Who gives this woman to be married?" The pastor smiles at Aunt Medrine.
"We do." My dad and Uncle Mark respond. They take turns telling her that they love her and turn and walk to their seats.
Ross walks forward and takes Aunt Medrine's hand. The Pastor takes a few minutes to talk about the joy of marriage when God is at the center of it.
When it is time to say the vows, Aunt Medrine looks into Ross' eyes as she speaks.
"The first time I saw you, I thought you were a pervert. A very handsome pervert." Laughter works it's way across the church. "I promised myself that I would never fall for someone like you. But now here I am giving the rest of my life to you. You have stood by me every single day. You have loved me more than I dreamed possible and you have taught me what it means to trust God with all your heart. Be my husband Ross because I love. I will always love you."
It is Ross' turn but with the tears glistering in his eyes, he takes a few seconds to collect himself.
"Medrine. You are my other half. The love of my life. You are God's greatest gift to me. Marry me and be wife as we let God lead us in this new journey."
The pastor takes over again leading them through the statements and promises of being there in the good and in the bad and the exchange of the rings.
He then pronounces them husband and wife, giving Ross, Uncle Ross, permission to kiss Aunt Medrine. Its a brief kiss and we burst out cheering.
The reception. God, the reception is the most beautiful I have ever seen. Every single detail of the grand ballroom is perfect. Not over done, just perfect. From the lighting, to the specific table arrangements.
I sit at the table specifically for the bridesmaids and groomsmen with two extra seats for Lucas and Logan.
My dad prays for the dinner when the bride and groom arrive. Different guests take turns to toast to the newly weds sharing stories of how they met the bride or the groom.
Trent barely touchs much of his food. His focus is somewhere else. It takes time to for me to notice that he is staring at Maya. Of course! What did I expect? When Maya is around, the rest of the world disappears to Trent.
"Dude, just go over and kiss her." Lucas rolls his eyes when he notices Maya. Trent elbows him.
The bride and the groom's first dance is scheduled as the event the groom's parents toast. I suddenly feel nervous. My palms feel sweaty and I can't focus on who is speaking or what they are saying.
"Are you okay?" I hear Col ask beside me. I look him on the eyes and shake my head.
"Come on. Let's go out so you can have some fresh air." I nod my head and he reaches for my hand.
When we stand up to leave, Trent frowns but Col nods at him, assuring him that I am okay.
"What is wrong?" Col asks me when we step outside.
"Stage fright." I breathe out heavily.
"Come here." Col holds his arms out to me and I walk in and lean my head against his chest, wrapping my arms around his back. We stay like that for a minute or two and the Col pulls back just enough to look into my eyes.
"You have an amazing voice and the song you chose for us to sing is breathtaking." He looks up and sighs but humor shines in his eyes. "I hate to admit but it's perfect." I can't help but smile.
"Don't worry about the crowd. Just close your eyes and sing or look at me. I will be up there with you."
We hear the emcee announce that the bride and groom will have their first dance. I look up at Col and he nods. He takes my hand and we walk into the ballroom again, this time to the front.
We take the microphones and Col speaks for the both of us.
"Aunt Medrine, Uncle Ross. Congratulations." He places the microphones back on a stand infront of him and the keyboard starts to play, just like we rehearsed. Uncle Ross carefully leads Aunt Medrine to the floor as Col starts to sing the first line of When God Made you by Newsong.
It's always been a mystery to me, How two hearts can come together, And love can last forever.
I notice my mom in the crowd smiling at me and I smile back before I turn to look at Col singing. The audience is so focused at the dance so no one should mind me staring a little.
But now that I have found you I believe, That a miracle has come, When God send the perfect one.
When God sends the perfect one. That line draws me in. To every moment of the last month that I have shared with Col. To how unexpectedly we met. It's like...it's like he is the one. By the time Col reaches the chorus and I join in, I am breathless.
I wonder what God was thinking, When he created you, I wonder if he knew everything I would need, Because he made all my dreams come true, When God made you, he must have been thinking about me.
Col opens his eyes and stares at me as I sing the second verse.
I promise you, That wherever you may go, Wherever life may lead you, With all my heart I'll be there too...
In that moment I am sure that we are thinking of the same thing. I can see it in his eyes. When I leave for Africa tomorrow morning, I going with his heart and I'm leaving mine right here with him.
The rest of the song passes by without my notice. Like words are just coming out of my mouth but all I'm seeing is Col. At the last chorus, other couples start to fill the dance floor
The sound of applause breaks the daze. We smile at the guest and walk back to take our seats.
Trent's seat is empty. I feel uneasy. So uneasy that I bugs me to go find him.
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