Chapter 11

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My sisters hugged me again before we all lined up to walk down the aisle. Lizzy and Beckett were first. My Lizzy looked like a princess walking down the aisle. I knew that it wouldn't be long before we were watching her at her own wedding. After her came Sierra who looked equally as beautiful. Neither one of them could take their eyes off of their boyfriends which I found to be absolutely adorable. Hyacinth went with Sunny next, then Jenny and Red, Ali and Johnny and then it was Mary and Dewey's turn. They both snuck glances at each other when the other one wasn't looking and it was so obvious that they liked each other. Then Chase, pushing Chloe in her stroller, went after Mary. And then it was my turn. The song changed to the walkout song that I had chosen for myself (A Thousand Years by Christina Perri). I looked at my dad and he offered his arm. I took it and we started walking. I knew everyone was watching me but I didn't care. I focused on Milori standing under the arch waiting for me. Snow was standing next to him and Dewey was standing on the other side of him. With every step I took I felt more excited as I got closer to him. Finally, we got to the arch. My dad hugged me again and he took my hand and put it into Milori's.

"Take care of my baby girl," my dad said. "She's yours now." "I promise I will." They shook hands and my dad went to sit down next to my mom. The music stopped and Snow started talking. "Ladies and gentlemen," she began "Twelve years ago, two teenagers met in this exact spot. They fell in love at first sight and began getting to know each other. Each night they would meet here under the cover of darkness and they would talk and laugh together for hours on end. They built a relationship under the stars. For a long time, nobody knew. Slowly but surely, they began to tell their friends and family. They were truly in love. They began to plan their lives together and then tragedy struck. The reality of their two different worlds came crashing down on them and they were forced to say goodbye. For ten years they lived separate lives in their different worlds. But they never stopped loving each other. And then, perhaps by chance or maybe it was fate or destiny, they were brought back to each other. Now, we are gathered here today finally," she stressed the word finally which sent laughter through the audience. "to witness the sacred union of Clarion and Milori. We stand here to honor and celebrate the love between them as they come together to start their new life with a solemn vow surrounded by their closest family and friends. Clarion and Milori are overjoyed that you are able to join us here today. Clarion and Milori, this ceremony celebrates the beginning of your marriage. It's a journey of love, understanding, patience, perseverance and dedication to each other that lasts through time. As we stand here today to mark this occasion, we remember that what matters most is not the ceremony itself but the love and companionship that you will continue to share throughout your married life together. To honor the strength of love and the role that it plays in our lives, Clarion and Milori have called upon two of their nearest and dearest to share readings that have moved them." Dewey was first to read. "When Milori asked me to read, I started wracking my brain to find something to read. I spent hours in the library looking through all the books and poems which took a while because of how big that library is but eventually I found something that I really think encapsulates the significance of this moment. There's a poem called The Art of Marriage by Wilfred Peterson and in it, he writes Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It's never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other person for granted. The courtship should not end with the honeymoon. It should continue through the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family. It is doing things for each other not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility paitience understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal the dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, but being the right partner. And that is what I wish for the two of you in your marriage. That you may walk through this journey called life together and always continue to be the right partner for each other. Thank you." There was some applause and then Mary got up to read. "So mine isn't nearly as good as Dewey's," she began "but I know what a significant role music plays in your relationship so I picked some song lyrics that I liked. There's a song called I choose you by Sara Bareilles and the lyrics that really spoke to me in this song are this.
My whole heart will be with you forever. This is a beautiful start to a lifelong love letter. Tell the world that we finally got it all right. I choose you. I will become yours and you will become mine. We are not perfect. We learn from our mistakes. And as long as it takes, I will prove my love to you. I'm not scared of the elements I'm under prepared. But I am willing. And even better I get to be the other half of you. This really spoke to me because it really is a testament to you guys and your relationship. You guys have each other's whole heart for all of eternity and you always have. You finally have everything right, you finally have everything you ever wanted, you've always chosen each other, and you always will choose each other. The two of you are each other's other half and I can't wait to see how your marriage plays out." "Thank you readers," Snow said.

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