LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO

Chapter 16

THE WEDDING DAY!!!

It was the day of mine and Matt's wedding. I still couldn't believe we were getting married today. I ate crackers and some juice when I got up so I wouldn't get sick this morning. I took a shower and got dressed in a regular dress but didn't do my hair and makeup because Veronica was doing that for me today.
I grabbed the bag that was hanging up in the closet that had my wedding dress in it and put it on the bed. Willow awoke and saw me getting around.
"Your getting married today mommy" she said
"I am and your going to have a daddy" I Said. "It's going to be a very special day for you me and Matt"
Sarah walked into the room just after I had finished getting willow dressed and ready for the day. She was already wearing her white and green dress. It was going to match my dress. Sarah did willows hair and willow let her curl her hair with the curling iron. When she was done she looked so pretty.
"Oh willow you look so pretty now no getting your new dress dirty" Said Sarah
"We will bring an extra change of clothes for her" I Said. Sarah nodded and packed a bag for willow. Then she and willow went out to the kitchen to make breakfast. After breakfast was done we all got ready to go to the church.
It was a busy morning as soon as we got to church to finish getting everything ready. Michael got there after we did to make sure the music was ready and a few minutes later Jordan Kaitlin their kids and Matt's mom and dad showed up. Jordan helped Kaitlin carry in the cake. I held open the doors as they brought it into the cafeteria of the church and set it down on the food table.
It was the most prettiest triple chocolate three layered cake with cheesecake frosting that I had ever seen. White and green edible flowers surrounded it and Congrats Becky and Matt were in big letters on a stand that was on the top of the cake with a husband and wife cat figurines.
I made two fruity pebbles cheesecakes for the wedding and Sarah made potato salad.
We helped Beth get out the plates and napkins and set them up at the end of the food table with the food that Beth brought. She made homemade Mac and cheese and tuna noodle casserole. The men were making sure the drinks were set up one table with alcohol and the other with kids drinks like soda, water, and huggies juice.
While we were setting up in the kitchen Beth phone went off it was Matt's grandparents.
"On our way" Said his grandma Anne.
"Alright see you soon" Said Beth.
They talked for a bit before she hung up.
"I had been getting calls all morning about who of our side of family is coming and who's not" said Beth
"So have I" i told her.
"There's going to be plenty of people here though, and we have more tables and chairs outside for those that want to eat under the canopy's that we have decorated and ready to go out there" Said Beth
"It's so warm outside" said Michael as he came back in from checking the speakers he had all outdoors.
"That's why the food is staying indoors" Said Beth
"I was going to have everyone eat outside but because this is summer I just thought it would be a better idea if all the food stayed in doors" I said
"It was a good idea Becky" Said Sarah
"I know right" I Said
"Don't you still have to get dressed Becky" said John as he came over to help us with the food.
"Yeah but I'm tying to make sure everything is ready and help you all. I'll probably run off to the room where my dress is when Matt gets here or is on his way because I don't want him seeing me" I Said. I walked over to the dance floor and dj where Michael was checking the music on his laptop. He had his computer screen out on a table with a karaoke system set up.
"Is everything working ok?" I asked him
"Yep" Said Michael
"Thank you so much for doing this for me Michael" I Said
"Your welcome cuz" Said Michael. "I'm really glad that you asked me to be your DJ"
"I knew you would make the best one" I said
Michael smiled and we hugged. He went back to working on the music. My mom walked in with my aunt meg. They were carrying all the flower arrangements in large boxes. Mom also had two chocolate pies, bbq chicken and a big cheese sheet pizza in another large box which Michael had to take from her. He placed the food down on the food table.
"Don't tell me you spent all night working on those" I told my mom as I helped her place the flower arrangements down on each table.
"No we didn't. Some I kind of pre bought at Walmart and then all I had to do was add the flowers" said Patty. "We've been up,since 5 making the food"
"But they turned out so cute"said Sarah.
"Yeah they are. I made 20 of them so hopefully that's enough" said Patty
"I helped make them too" said Aunt Meg.
"Well they look amazing guys thank you so much" I Said.
"Wait till you see your bouquet. Can you go get it for me Michael it's in the car" Said patty. She handed Michael her car keys. He nodded and ran back out the door and to the outside. He came back in a few minutes later with my bouquet.
He handed it to me. "Oh mom this bouquet is beautiful" I said
"Thank you" said my mom.
"So where's Megan and the kids I thought she said she was going to be here early for the church service" Patty then asked
"I thought so but I guess she didn't wake up on time" I said. "I already looked in the room there but didn't see her in there. Pastor Monterrey is here with Valerie"
"I'm sure Megan will be here soon" Said Sarah
"I hope so" I Said.
"You look amazing in your green dress Sarah" said Patty
"Thank you" said Sarah. Mark came back inside from the outdoors. He was wiping off the sweat on his black tuxedo coat.
"All the tables chairs are all set up out there" Said Mark
"Thank you Mark for helping" I said
"Your welcome" Said Mark
Willow came into the cafeteria she was holding hands with Matt's niece Jaylin and his nephew David. They were all dressed and ready for the wedding. Willow saw patty and ran over to her.
"Do I look pretty grandma?" She asked spinning around and twirling in her new dress.
Patty picked her up and hugged and kissed her. "You sure do" said Patty
"I didn't tell you that Matt adopted her yesterday did I" i said
"He did?!" Said patty
I smiled. "Yep. Matt is willows daddy now" I Said
"Awe that's so great!" Mom said happily.
"So we are really the grandparents of her now?" Said Beth
I nodded and she gave me a big hug, then she hugged willow and patty. Both Patty and Beth had tears in their eyes.
"Why didn't you tell us about this?" They asked me after they wiped their tears away.
"Because it was a surprise for me yesterday when me and Matt went to the court house to get our marriage licenses and documents, which reminds me Matt is bringing them to give them to the pastor so he can sign them at the end of the wedding" I Said
"Awe that's so sweet. Matt told us that he was going to adopt willow after the wedding and he decided to do it early, I'm going to have to talk to that boy" said John
"Well you don't have to wait long John because he's on his way here" said Megan as she, Clayton, the kids, Erin, Joey (Erin's husband) and Bethany and Adam walked in. We all hugged. Megan had a big dish of her tater tot bake and two plates full of chocolate chip cookies in her arms which she set down on the food table.
"He's on his way here Megan" said Sarah
"Yep" Said Megan. "He called me on the way here like two minutes ago. We better get you in the sitting area room and get ready for the wedding Becky." She grabbed my hand and Sarah grabbed the other. We all raced to the sitting room where my dress was. Beth, Patty, Bethany And Erin all followed. We locked the door behind us as we got around for the wedding.
Megan, Bethany, Erin and Sarah finished doing their hair and makeup. They were all wearing their dresses now. I went into the bathroom and got changed into my wedding dress. It was a beautiful white wedding dress with green flowers that were edged all around the bottom. My white veil had laces of green flowers to match the dress. Underneath my dress I had my white matching lingerie and stockings. I put on my white dress shoes and then hurried back across the hall to the sitting room. I closed and locked the door behind me as everyone stared at me.
"Becky oh that dress is gorgeous!" Said Patty, Beth and my Aunt Meg
"OMG my baby girl looks so pretty" Patty was crying now. I hugged her.
"Mom your going to ruin your makeup" I Said
"Oh I don't care. It's a wedding everyone cries" Said Patty. Just then we heard a knock on the door and it was Veronica.
"I'm here to do that beautiful brides hair and makeup" said Veronica
"Hi Veronica" Said Erin. They hugged. I sat down in a chair while Veronica set her hair stuff down behind me. Then she started doing my hair.
"I'm going to go set up my camera stuff" Said Sarah and she left the room. Veronica brushed my hair and curled it to the side. After my hair was sprayed and done then Veronica did my makeup.
"Mom can you take out the garter it's in my bag there." I Said
"Sure" Said Patty. She opened my bag and pulled out the white and green Garter. Then she got down on her knees and help me get it on up underneath my dress over my inner thigh. She tried to hid it good before she got back up off the floor.
I put my dress back down just as Veronica finished my makeup.
"Perfect" She said. She handed me a red mirror that she brought with her. I looked at myself in the small handheld mirror. I looked beautiful.
"Thank you Veronica" I Said. I stood up and we hugged.
"You look so beautiful Becky. I wish your father was here" said my mom and she started tearing up again. I hugged her again.
"Mom your going to get me crying" I Said
"It's okay if you do the makeup that I used wont get ruined" said Veronica
"Okay" I Said
"You really do look amazing Becky" Said Megan
"Thanks sis" I Said. Me and Megan hugged. Sarah walked in and she stopped inn her tracks after she closed the door and looked at me.
"Becky you so beautiful" Said Sarah
"Thank you Sarah" I Said. She ran over to me and we hugged. "Can you help me with my veil?"
"Sure" Said Sarah. She picked up my veil and placed it on my head being very careful of my hair. The veil flowed halfway down my back.
"Are you ready Becky?" Sarah asked me
"I am just nervous" I Said smiling. "I can't believe in one hour I will be Mrs. Rebecca Elaine Starks Roach"
Sarah grinned at me. "I know isn't it amazing?"
I nodded. A soft knock was heard on the door. Beth went to answer it. John, Jordan and Michael were at the door.
"Wow" they all said when looking at me.
"You look beautiful cuz" Said Michael. "Wait till Angelica and Tyler and grandma and aunt sharon and aunt Jill see you they just got here by the way"
"Oh good I'll go show them which side to sit on. The church services sound like they are almost done" said my mom. She kissed my cheek and then walked out of the room with Michael.
"Is matt here?" I asked John.
"Sure is he and the guys are in the boys bathroom finishing up" said John. "I just wanted to come see all the beautiful ladies."
"Yeah wait till my brother sees you" said Jordan. "Hannah is here and so is her girlfriend Wendy"
"Great! Are you going to walk with her down the aisle?" I asked Jordan
"Yes" He said
"Okay. So Megan is walking down with Clayton, Jordan is with Hannah, Erin sorry but you have to be with Matt's best friend Norm, Bethany is with Adam and Sarah you are going to walk down the aisle with willow first. Then will be Cayden pulling the wagon with Isabella and Olivia in it" I said. "Then goes Megan Clayton, Hannah Jordan, Erin norm and Bethany with Adam."
"Yes Becky we know relax" Said Erin coming over and rubbing my shoulders.
"Thanks" I said to her.
"I'll go make sure the girls are all set. They are in the kids room with Clayton and the other kids" said Megan
"Okay get them ready in the wagon" I Said "with the flowers"
"I know Becky" Said Megan. She left the room. Erin kept rubbing my shoulders.
"Dang Becky you are all tensed relax breathe everything is going to be fine" Said Erin
"I know I just want everything to be perfect" I Said
"It will be chill" Said Bethany.
Patty came back into the room. "Okay majority of our family is here becky is seated. The church service part is done and pastor Monterrey is getting started on his speech and the songs that you chose everyone to sing. Then when that's done Michael will start playing A Thousand Years as everyone starts walking down the aisle. So it's time. Everyone that's not in the wedding needs to be out there in the nave" said Patty
"Okay" Beth gave me a hug and kissed my cheek. "See you out there" said Beth
Aunt meg also left the room as did Veronica.
I sat there with my friends Megan and the kids and the men all came into the room except for Matt of course as we heard Pastor Monterrey start his speech. Then he had everyone stand and they all started singing.
When the last song started we all went out into the hall to the doors of the entrance of the nave. I stood in the back with my mom, our arms were linked. i was holding the bouquet of flowers in my hands. Everyone in my wedding had their arms linked except for the kids. Isabella and Olivia were in the wagon playing with the flowers. Cayden had the handle of the wagon ready to pull it and willow was up front of them with Sarah. She was holding her hand. Just as the song finished it was time to start walking in just as Michael started to play A Thousand Years on his computer that he had set up in the nave.
Sarah and Willow walked in first. Then went Cayden pulling the wagon with the girls in the wagon. My nieces started throwing the flowers all over the aisle floor. Cayden also had the rings tied on green and blue ribbon on the handle of the wagon. Then it went Clayton and Megan, Hannah and Jordan, Erin and Norm and finally Bethany and Adam. When the chorus of the song came on me and my mom walked in. She had my dads picture in her hand while her other arm was linked with my right.
When the doors opened my mom and I slowly started to walk down the aisle. I looked up and my eyes went right to Matt. He looked so handsome. Upon seeing him all my worries and nerves melted away and I had a huge smile on my face. Matt had a big smile on his face when he saw me. Our eyes were glued on each other.
When we reached Matt my mom placed a kiss on my forehead. Then Patty shook Matt's hand before putting my right hand in Matt's and then she backed away a little. I handed my mom the beautiful bouquet that I was holding.
I stood there staring at Matt with a smile on my face as we held each other hands. He stood there staring back at me. A loving smile on his face as well.
Michael had pressed pause on the song on his computer just as Pastor Monterrey motioned for everyone to be seated.
He cleared his throat before speaking. "Dearly beloved we are gather here today to join these two people in love in holy matrimony" stated Pastor Monterrey. He opened the book in his hands.
"Who gives this woman to be married?" He then asked
"I do and her deceased father" said Patty who was crying her arms wrapped around my dads picture. Patty shook Matt's hand again.
"Take good care of my little girl" Said Patty
"I will Patty you can guarantee that" said Matt. Patty smiled and then walked over to a bench and sat down next to my Aunt Meg. My grandma, my cousin Angelica and Tyler, my Aunt Sharon and my Aunt Jill we're sitting on the same bench.
"Is there any reason these two should not be wed speak now or forever hold your peace?" Pastor Monterrey continued. No one said anything but there were sounds of sobs from Patty and Beth.
"Now this love that I feel these two have reminds us all of how much god and Jesus loves us. It also makes me think of my favorite bible verse that's all about love. It's 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4-8" Pastor Monterrey Said. "Rebecca, Matthew would you like to say this together?"
We nodded. "Rebecca please start"
"Love is patient, love is kind. " I said
"It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." Said Matt
"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." I Said
"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth" said Matt
"It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" I Said
"Love never fails"Said Matt
"But where there are prophecies, they will cease" I said
"where there are tongues, they will be stilled" said Matt
"where there is knowledge, it will pass away." Matt and I said together. We stared deep into each other's eyes as we said the Bible verse that we chose.
"Beautiful well said" Said Pastor Monterrey. "Now Matthew And Rebecca both wrote their own special vows to each other. Matthew would you like to start?"
Matt grabbed his paper from the pastor that he written his vow on to me. He cleared his throat before he began.
"Today my dearest Becky, I join my life to yours, not merely as your husband, but as your friend, your lover, and your confidant. Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life. With you I will walk my path from this day forward.
In your eyes, I have found my home.
In your heart, I have found my love.
In your soul, I have found my mate.
With you, I am whole, full, alive.
You make me laugh. You let me cry.
You are my breath, my every heartbeat.
I pledge to listen to your advice, and occasionally take it.
I pledge to never keep score...even if I'm totally winning.
I pledge to always admire your huge, strong, kind, and determined heart.
I pledge that I will love you.
You know me better than anyone else in this world and somehow still you manage to love me. You are my best friend and one true love. There is still a part of me today that cannot believe that I'm the one who gets to marry you.
You look so beautiful to me today, but know that you always look beautiful to me and will always be this beautiful to me, tomorrow, and the next day and the next. As gorgeous as you are right here and right now, I will only love you more and more each day of our marriage.
I promise to be your faithful husband. I vow to love you when the sun shines, when the rain falls, in sickness, and in health, through good times and bad. When you look at this ring, think of me and remember that I love you always.
What is a husband? I must admit, I'm not sure. All I know is that I am devoted to you completely and am made a better person because of your love. A husband then is a thing that a good marriage makes, molds, and creates whole. If that is what a husband means, then I am prepared to be yours."
I couldn't stop the tears from flowing as Matt finished his wonderful beautiful vows to me. I was crying.
"Rebecca are you ready to say yours?" Asked Pastor Monterrey
"Yes after I stop crying" I said. There was a few chuckles in the room. Matt took his hands and wipes my tears away, I smiled at him. I took my paper from the pastor and then started to say my vows to the man standing in front of me.
"They say: "A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other." I know I'm not perfect, but I will love you perfectly. I will never let you down or give up on you. I will cherish you forever.
Take my hand. I vow to hold on tight. I vow to squeeze softly. I vow to kiss your hand. I vow to never let you go. Our love is unique, because we are unique. Together we make something that has never been seen before. Together we make a force that holds the power to stand against any disaster, an engine of love the likes of which the world has never seen. Take my hand and as your wife I vow to begin our journey in honest and true devotion.
Together we are two halves of one whole - I vow never to take you for granted - to always appreciate your love. To be earnest, honest, and forthright, to apologize when I am wrong and to be graceful, caring and devoted. I love you and look forward to spending our life together.
I love you, you are my best friend, as I give myself in marriage to you I promise to inspire you and to let you inspire me, not to hold back or to hold us back. To comfort you in times of sadness, to always love you, even when love is difficult or when love seems too easy. I give you myself today and all the days of my life" I finished my vow and it was here that I saw tears in Matt's eyes at my words.
"Rebecca would Now like to play a song for her beloved husband" Said Pastor Monterrey. I went over to the piano and sat down. I started playing the song My Valentine by Martina McBride. I sang the song as I played pouring my heart and soul into it glancing and looking over at Matt every few minutes as I did so. Smiling as wide as he could he listened to me playing and singing. He knew that I was singing the song just for him. That my love for him poured out of me. He knew that we were meant to be together forever and this day proved it so.
When I was finished playing and singing, every one of our family and friends were cheering clapping and crying. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. I got up from the piano and went back over to my spot. Me and Matt took to holding each other's hands.
"That was beautiful Becky" Said Matt
"Thank you" I said
"Now it is time for the I Do's" Said Pastor Monterrey.
"Who has the rings?" Pastor Monterrey then Asked. Cayden smiled and untied the rings from the handle of the wagon. He handed them over to Clayton who then handed one to Matt.
"Matthew I want you to take Rebecca's hand in yours and put the ring on her finger while repeating after me" Said Pastor Monterrey
Matt nodded and took my wedding ring from Clayton then he turned to me and grabbed my left hand in his right.
"I, Matthew take thee Rebecca to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith and pledge myself to you."
"I, Matthew take thee Rebecca to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith and pledge myself to you" Matt repeated smiling at me as he said the words.
He took the ring and pushed it all the way up my ring finger till it was right in front of my engagement ring. I smiled as I looked down at it.
"Rebecca now I want you to take Matthews left hand in yours and put his ring on his finger while repeating after me" said Pastor Monterrey
I nodded and took the ring from Clayton. I grabbed Matt's left hand in mine.
"I Rebecca take thee Matthew to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith and pledge myself to you." The pastor said.
"I Rebecca take thee Matthew to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith and pledge myself to you." I repeated back smiling at him. I took the ring and pushed onto Matt's ring finger all the way up to his knuckle.
"Do you Matthew take Rebecca to be your lawfully wedded wife?" Pastor Monterrey asked Matt.
"I do" said Matt whole heartedly.
"And do you Rebecca take Matthew to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Asked Pastor Monterrey.
"I do" I Said smiling from ear to ear.
" By the power vested in me and in the name of the father the son and the Holy Ghost I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride" Said Pastor Monterrey.
Matt didn't hesitate as he lifted up my veil with his hands placed his hands on my face before we leaned in and kissed passionately in front of our family and friends. There were cheers and clapping while we kissed but we didn't hear because we were lost in our own worlds only inhabited by me and Matt.
We finally pulled away from lack of oxygen. We turned and looked at our family and friends blushing and went to holding hands. Matt interlocked our fingers. We were both a little crimson but we didn't care and couldn't remove the smiles from our faces. We were finally married.