I Don't Even Know Your Name

I Do

*Shawn's POV*

This was it, the day of our wedding. I was overjoyed that I was finally going to be married to my best friend. I couldn't believe it was happening, Ruth and I had spent so much time planning, I almost forgot we were actually getting married. Nerves and excitement coursed through my veins, as I did some last minute sprucing up before the ceremony. I looked in the mirror and fixed my crooked tie, then ran my fingers through my hair one last time.

"How do I look, am I good?" I asked my best man, Brian.

"You look great man, stop worrying. She's going to be so excited, the last thing she's going to be worried about is what you look like."

"Yeah, I guess but I still need to look good." I spoke nervously.

"I know, and you look great. Now get out there before she beats you to the alter."

I shuffled anxiously outside to the aisle. As I reached the white, silk carpet that lay on the ground, I began to take in every aspect of the atmosphere. The arbor was made of long, beautiful branches, and was covered in white roses. There were lavender-colored bows tied on the backs of each the wooden chairs of our guests, who sat in on either side of the aisle. Everything was surrounded by trees, and the sun was low in the sky. Everything was beautiful.

I took my place underneath the tree arbor. Music played while the bridesmaids and groomsman made their way down. The ladies wore short, strapless, lavender-colored dresses; While the men wore black tuxes, with white button downs. Their ties and boutonnières matched the dresses.

The lavender color was my idea, because the first thing I noticed about Ruth when I met her, was how she smelled like them. So, I wanted it to be apart of the color scheme in our wedding. I still remember the rush I felt as I hugged her so tightly, and the goosebumps that emerged from my skin first time I heard her sing. These memories have stuck with me since day one, and it was important to me that at least one of them was a part of our special day.

The Bridal Chorus began to play, as Ruth graciously started down the aisle. I admired her beauty as she approached. Her red hair fell perfectly around the frame of her face, while crystal earrings hung from her ears. Her lacy, long-sleeved dress hugged every curve on her body, while a long train followed her from behind. She held a bouquet of white roses in her hands, which were tied with the same ribbon used on the wooden chairs. As she drew closer to me, she smiled, exposing the sparkle in her green-brown eyes.

As she stepped under the arbor, she handed off her bouquet to Aaliyah. She slid her hands into mine, while kissing me on the cheek with her soft lips.

"Hi pretty boy." She whispered in my ear. I felt a grin move across my face as I whispered back to her.

"Hello my gorgeous bride." This caused her to grin even bigger.

"You ready to be married?" She said giddily.

"Absolutely." I responded with confidence.

"Dearly beloved. We are gathered her today, to join Shawn Peter Raul Mendes and Ruth Rose Anderson together, in holy Matrimony."

I looked into her eyes, as the priest continued to speak. I noticed her makeup now. Her eye shadow was a shimmery light pink, with a subtle wing that lined the rims. Her eyelashes looked like they could have been at least an inch long, and her cheeks were soft and rosy looking. She had that natural glow that always seems to be there.

"And now time for your vows." The priest said.

Aaliyah handed Ruth a white sheet of paper. Ruth turned and gently took it out of her hands.

"Thank you." She said, unfolding it.

"Shawn, before I met you, I was just a crazy, insane fan who was obsessed with your music... And you abs..." The crowd giggled. "I thought I knew everything that there was to know about you, but oh how I was so wrong." She paused. "When you brush your teeth, you spit twice. When you clean the dishes, you always put the silver wear away first, and when you write a song, you can't stop until it's finished. These are just a few of the little things, but the most important one, is that you never stop loving me... No matter how hard it can be sometimes. I know that when I brush my teeth, I forget to rinse the sink out when I'm done. When I clean the dishes, sometimes I forget to close the dish washer; and when you write a song, I can't help but hover over you like the dorky music teacher I am. But, after the accident... You know I struggled to forgive myself for the longest time. I spent so much time taking care of you, that I didn't realize that I needed healing too. You were there for me, and patient through every moment of that struggle. Even through my crankiness, my pouting, and all my 'Woah is me' moments, you never stopped loving me, and I can't thank you enough for that. We've had our ups and downs, but we are always strong enough to get through them, and have become stronger because of them. We help each other grow, and because of that we make each other better. So, to show my thanks, I wrote you a little poem." She took a moment to wipe her tears away, then began reading again.

"You are my light that helps me see when it's dark,

You're my warmth when I'm feeling cold,

You are the eyes that see the good in me, when I cant,

You're the yellow brick road when I'm feeling lost

The stars that make me shine bright,

The blood in my veins, that keeps my heart pumping

You're the strength that keeps me going,

But most of all, you are the man that I will never stop loving.

"I vow all of these things to you, forever and always."

As she closed her paper, she quickly wiped the tears falling from her face. 

"Thank you honey, that was beautiful." I whispered to her.

"Shawn, now for yours." The priest said.

Brian tapped the back of my shoulder, and began handing me the paper with my vows written on it.

"That's okay, I don't need it." I said, shaking my head at him, then placing my eyes back to Ruth's.

"Ruth." I took both her hands in mine. "Literally everything what you just said, you are already all of those things to me. Without even trying, you are the most caring, compassionate, and passion-filled person I know. You're caring, because when you come home each day, you make a point to ask me how my day has been. Your passionate because you want to hear all the songs I'm working on, and give me critique on how to improve. You show me compassion, by asking me what you can do to help me when I'm upset about something. You do all of these things, and sometimes, I don't even think that you realize it. But, I love you all the more for that, and I won't ever stop. I love you so much Ruth, thank you for all you do for me."

Ruth and I both smiled at each other, and were now crying like idiots. I looked to the front row to see Ruth's parents, and mine doing the same. I never realized what an emotional day this would be, but it was amazing.

"Beautiful. Now, time for the rings." The priest said, motioning for the ring bearer to come forward.

The ring bearer, which was my little eight-year-old cousin, brought the rings to the priest. The priest smiled and took them off the pillow and handed us each one. We gently placed them each other's finger. 

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Shawn, you may kiss your bride."

I took Ruth in my arms, dipped her, then kissed her soft lips once again. Everyone stood up to clap and cheer while I let my lips linger on hers for a little longer than usual. This moment was so surreal, Ruth and I were finally married, we're finally married...