1800 | Luke Hemmings

Epilogue

I walked down to the smiling blond man. He still made my heart flutter. My beautiful blue gown was adorned with lace. My father walked to where Luke and the priest were standing. My mother looked so happy. I was their first child to be married. Luke's father and mother looked happy as well. Luke's father was happy he married a senator's daughter and his mother loves me. Luke and I had our families together.

I reached Luke and Father Helm.

"We gather here to unite these two people in marriage. Their decision
to marry has not been entered into lightly and today they publicly
declare their private devotion to each other. The essence of this
commitment is the acceptance of each other in entirety, as lover,
companion, and friend. A good and balanced relationship is one in
which neither person is overpowered nor absorbed by the other, one
in which neither person is possessive of the other, one in which
both give their love freely and without jealousy.
Marriage, ideally, is a sharing of responsibilities, hopes, and dreams.
It takes a special effort to grow together, survive hard times, and be
loving and unselfish."
Luke and I were smiling at each other.

"Do you both pledge to share your lives openly with one another, and
to speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly
care for one another, cherish and encourage each other, stand
together, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all
the days of your lives?"

"We Do" We said in unison

"May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your union. As often as
either of you look upon these rings, may you not only be reminded of
this moment, but also of the vows you have made and the strength of
your commitment to each other.

Luke, please repeat after me ...

I Luke, promise to love and support you Chelsea, and live each day
with kindness, understanding, truth, humor, and passion. With this
ring I thee wed." Luke repeated every word.

Luke took my hand and placed the ring on my finger.

"Isabella, please repeat after me ...

I Isabella, promise to love and support you Ravie and live each day
with kindness, understanding, truth, humor, and passion. With this
ring I thee wed." I repeated every word.

I took Luke's hand and placed the ring on his finger.

"Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have-
the gifts of your lives united. And may your days be long on this earth.
I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Luke and I shared a beautiful kiss.

We celebrated with a feast. We had a wonderful dance and my sister was so happy for me.

Luke and I will begin our bridal tour tomorrow. We will visit all our family who couldn't come.

We made our way back to our lovely home.

~~~

Luke opened his printing press and he printed the newspaper and my writings. I write under the name I. M. Hemmings. My work does quite well. Luke enjoys his work and we are expecting our first child.