April 8th, 1985 – "The Nelson Wedding" (Miami, Florida)
PRINCE
I slicked my hair in this mirror. Brackish air floated in the direction of my nostrils. Ocean waves softly crashed outside the French windows of this parlor room. From glimpses of daylight, I immediately recognized the altar. The arch itself rounded with violet shades to acknowledge my future wife. Two short but definite years led to this very moment. Long ago, even I wondered if love would finally reach my presence. Love manifested itself in her. The woman of my dreams.
Before I could even turn my head, Jerome stepped in. We laughed to ourselves for a moment before he slapped my shoulder. The simple gesture prompted my mind to race. Moments from now, I'd finally see Brenda, not Monty, standing in that mysterious but surely graceful wedding dress.
With every step out of that room, I once again smelled the ocean. The doors welcomed me to stroll outside. Even Andre stood among the groomsmen. We'd fallen out years ago, but he returned for this otherwise special day. The white-chair seating placed itself on this morning sand.
I smiled for all, especially waving to Mr. and Mrs. Hughes. Brenda's parents nodded toward me. My mother Mattie and Aunt Edna sat side by side, squinted between winds of this area. Ms. B, Andre's mother, seated not too far away from them. My father John did not attend, but I refused to fret in one way or another.
My heart thumped otherwise as I waited for this moment of life to unfold. At the thought of Brenda emerge, I almost teared up all over again. Those all me applauded sporadically to shake me out of the emotions. I shook my head feverishly buzzed my lips for the sake of giggles. Stunning classical music twinkled near my hearing distance regardless of the alfresco weather.
Jerome once again slapped my shoulder to wake me up in one way or another. I understood and nodded toward this man, smiling bashfully for once. Yet, I still felt anxious. Again, how did Brenda fare right now? If the doors across from me open, I surely noticed her beauty and reactions. My darling could've easily resembled an angel for all I knew. If the doors would open, I'd marry now.
Not even seconds later, the doors finally unlocked. Each bridesmaid sported lavender for my bride. We arranged for the ladies to separate from men for the sake of surprise. Each bridesmaid stood in pairs and held violet bouquets. I needed countless men to keep myself sane near the altar. These fellas quickly assembled around me while observing.
After viewing several duos, my knees could've buckled. The moment I'd waited for arrived. Brenda emerged from shaded darkness of the doors while holding a purple carnation. My vision immediately noticed a white mermaid gown. If I didn't know better, her footsteps seemed bare on this cooling sand.
Underneath an ivory veil, that curled mane secured in one way or another. Still, locks still dropped around her perfect face. No more fishnets. No more dark make-up. My queen dimmed down usually the badass appearance and flickered away tears. No glasses. Nonetheless, my lip quivered as she stepped closer and closer. This woman just blew me away right now.
Our palms quaked together when Brenda and I finally stood underneath this arch. The classical music finally hushed and gentle waves replaced tunes that played around us. In that moment, I loved her more than any other woman on Earth. Groupies never deserved this moment. Even Vanity wouldn't gain this type of devotion from me. Even with her outstanding face.
Time and time again, we nodded toward one another, just to assure our joined existence Underneath this arch, I found peace with the love of my life. I couldn't help smiling and finally lifted the veil away from her ebony eyes. Of course, we wouldn't kiss just yet. The ordained minister in question smiled behind his clear glasses and offered a pleased expression on his own wrinkled face.
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"Please welcome for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Prince Rogers Nelson!" A Disk Jockey yelled from his microphone at the booth. Monty and I never stopped holding hands. Purple and blue spotlights of this room sparkled overhead. Bass rumbled underneath our joined and loving steps.
At this point, "Flashlight" by Parliament encouraged both of us to groove in unison. An overhead and white canopy saved us all from dealing with climate madness otherwise. But for the most part, this bridal party and my wife encountered attractive weather conditions.
Right now, our viewers already spread out to the centered dance floor. Monty and I bumped hips to the rhythms and she never even stumbled in her dress. I guessed that the dancer inside my woman had emerged tonight. We both then stopped grooving long enough for the disc jockey to introduce our bridal party.
Still, I couldn't wait to dance with for real. Very few people encouraged me to carry such a deed otherwise. Only the stage and other musical endeavors prompted my body to move like this. Between named couples, I swung our joined palms to the music. once more. I soon kissed Monty on the cheek and whispered gently to her before dancing with my mother. A Staple Singers record began playing.
We shared whispered conversation during the music, but my mother finally accepted this reality. On the other hand, this wedding prompted more closeness than ever. I'd spent years sadly neglected by blood relatives in somehow, but tonight proved different.
My mother loved Brenda quite some time, but I finally convinced this woman that our situation was real. I wasn't a little scared boy anymore. Someone gave a damn about me. I'd do everything in my power to make my family proud for once. My father included. Over my shoulder, even Tyka wiped away tears. Applause sputtered the hints of fading melodies before long.
Brenda then swapped places with me. Now, my wife danced with her father. A gorgeous Stevie Wonder record prompted dry eyes to vanish now. I nodded along to the rhythms and mouth lyrics in somehow. There was no other choice. Like many others, I'd admired the man the for years.
Across the centered dance floor, Brenda drooped her veiled and curly head onto the shoulder of her father. I teared up while considering the strained bond with my own male parents. His devotion to her must've felt overwhelming and brilliant right now. It wasn't long before the two separated and Mr. Hughes kissed the top of his oldest daughter's head.
On the other hand, Brenda's youngest sister Jazmine occupied a hospital with a watchful aunt. Weeks from now, she'd give birth to a baby boy in New Jersey. Both Brenda and Mrs. Lucille Hughes insisted that this young woman couldn't attend the wedding for precautions reasons. Of course, Brenda and I felt crushed as a result.
At last, Brenda and I could finally dance tonight for the first as newlyweds. I stared down at my wedding band just before kissing her knuckle. Only this time, everything felt different. She was mine. I belong to her and no one else. My commitment finally deemed tangible. In the eyes of God, were united, regardless of my previous declarations toward this woman. Nothing felt more loving and real than the vows shared underneath that flowered coastline arch.
Monty ended up picking our first-dance record. "Through The Fire" by Chaka herself prompted voices to cheer through the room. Every word described us. From the initial hesitation to our vow to keep fighting explained this bond. Our rings gestured that same promise.
I'd never give up on this woman again.
I know you're afraid of what you feel.
You still need time to heal.
And I can help if you'll only let me try.
You touch me and something in me knew.
What I could have with you.
Well, I'm not ready to kiss that dream goodbye...
