A Taste of You

46: And There He Is

Helen bids a teary goodbye and goes to join Derek. They enter officially with Ethan, ahead of us where we line up outside of view. I am trying to take deep calming breaths as the music begins.

The girls are walking in to an instrumental version of Here Comes the Sun.

First Aliya. Then Bev. Ronnie turns to me, her eyes warm and glistening. "Make sure my ass looks good, okay? I love you, Alise."

I laugh and air kiss her cheeks. She slowly walks to the front and takes her position next to where I will stand.  I am being escorted by my parents to an instrumental version of Can You Feel the Love Tonight. As we step up to position, the music changes and everyone rises.

I look up from my bouquet and I scan the groomsmen first and then settle my gaze on Ethan. There he is. My heartbeat increases and I feel happy tears form at the corners of my eyes. Our eyes lock and everything else fades away.

My parents begin leading me forward and it's a good thing because in losing myself in the depths of his crystal blue eyes, I'm not entirely sure my legs will hold out although I want nothing more than to be at his side already. He too is overcome with emotion as I see him bite his trembling lip, trying to remain stoic.

When we reach the front, my parents embrace me and then Ethan as they place my hands into his. He immediately starts his habit of stroking my presently empty ring finger in preparation for my wedding band. I reach up and brush the tears from his cheek and he presses his face against my hand and whispers. "You're like a dream, Alise. I can't believe I get to marry you."

"Don't make me pinch you in front of all these people to prove this is all real." I say in a hushed, thick whisper. Ethan starts to lean in to kiss me when the officiant clears their throat, signaling us to cool it.

We both laugh nervously and the ceremony begins. I hear very little of what is said because I'm basking in Ethan's presence.

Then Ethan starts talking. It must be time for the vows. "Alise, I wasn't looking for love when I met you, I thought I had found it already, but wow was I wrong. But from the moment I saw you, I knew my life was forever changed. Your passion for food radiates through everything you do. As I fell in love with you, you challenged me to rethink what relationships can be, not just individuals who are in love, but partners who create a meaningful life together. I promise to spend the rest of my life exceeding your standards, supporting your dreams, and keeping you happy that you opened yourself up to loving me."

I dab at my eyes with my handkerchief and then offer it to him. He laughs and kisses my hand, looking up to the sky for a moment to regain his composure before looking back into my eyes. My turn.

"Ethan, you challenged my resolve that I couldn't be both a successful restauranteur and someone's wife. You have changed the course of my life by making me want to reprioritize, rethink, and reinvent who I am. And in that process, you have become central to my story. You are a part of me now. Just like breath, heart, and soul, I cannot live without you, and hopefully I never have to again. My promise to you Ethan is to give, receive, and sustain our shared future as long as we both shall live."