The Diary of Eleanor Calder

The Wedding of a Lifetime

After I slipped on my sandals and looked in the mirror one last time, Dani handed me my bouquet and we started our precession outside. As my bridesmaids trailed behind me, I instinctively clutched Dani's arm as she led me across the beach. So many familiar faces stuck out at me as I made my way to Claude. I saw Harry, Niall, and Liam sitting in the front row with their dates, Maddie clutching Harry's hand with tears in her eyes.

I could see Claude up ahead and my heart started to pound. He looked so happy standing there with his groomsmen, each of them pretending like their eyes weren't watering. Claude caught my gaze and tears started to fall down his cheeks. My father met Dani at the start of the aisle and we started our agonizing walk towards my future husband.

When we reached the gazebo, the priest asked who'd be giving me away and my father answered, handing me over to Claude. Claude shakily took my hand and helped me step up to face him. Our priest started his speech about finding a forever love and all I could think about was the fact I was marrying the man of my dreams. Claude looked so blissfully happy and so was I.

"Have you prepared your own vows?" The priest asks.

Claude nods and pulls a piece of paper out of his breast pocket. "I didn't know it, but the day I met you would change my life forever. When I saw you in the café I knew our meeting was no accident. By our third date I knew I was in love with you and everything that you were. I could picture us building a life together long before I ever proposed to you. You're everything to me and more, Eleanor and I can't believe you're standing before me about to become my wife. No matter what happens in life I'll always be by your side. I love you."

Tears spring to my eyes and I fight the urge to jump into his arms. I hear a few sniffles in the crowd and I look out into the crowd to see Harry and Maddie crying like babies. I can't help but smile.

The priest looks to me. "Eleanor, have you prepared your own vows?"

"I have."

Little did Claude know I was up all night memorizing my vows even though they've been stuck in my head since November.

"There used to be such darkness in my life before I met you and then there was that fateful day at the market when I accidentally bumped into you. You looked up and I saw those magnificent eyes and I could literally picture our whole life together. I used to be part of a fast-paced world when I was engaged two years ago and I became this person I didn't like. I'd wake up in the morning and hate the person I saw in the mirror. But when I detached myself from that toxic world, my eyes were opened to such beautiful things. And you were one of them. I can't wait to be your wife and grow with you and create a family. I can't wait to travel all over the world with you and make such amazing memories. After tonight I can't wait to wake up and be your wife. I'm so in love with you and I'll continue to be even after we're six feet under. I love you."

Claude squeezes my hand and softly kisses my cheeks and I can tell I've literally cried off all my makeup. Claude wipes a few tears away and we turn to face our priest.

"Now by the power vested in the city of London, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Claude, you may kiss your bride."

As soon as those words were spoken, Claude swept me off my feet and planted the sweetest kiss on my lips, causing our guests to cheer. Not only was I now married to my soul mate, but I was married to him on the island that helped me see the real me. This truly has been the wedding of a lifetime.