Part Three - The Ceremony

It was about 1:27pm.

My dad and I were standing in the changing room as my eyes began to fill with tears.

My stomach was squirming with butterflies.

The moment was here. 

Finally.

As my dad and I waited outside the church doors for our turn to enter, all I kept thinking about was the past. 

Thomas and I had been through so much together.

Much more than the world would ever know.

And through all the hurdles, all the mountains, here he was:

nearly six years later, and still by my side.

Thomas had always been my very best friend.

He had always been with me through everything life threw at me.

Finally, it was our turn.

With shaking hands, swimming eyes, and a squirming stomach, I stepped through those doors.

And in an instant, literally an instant, everything changed.

One look at my Thomas, and the world around me dissolved.

 There he was, my groom, standing in front of the podium waiting for me.

He had a huge smile on his face, and that smile just melted my heart.

Suddenly, I couldn't walk fast enough.

I was probably tugging my dad along at a faster pace than he would have liked. 

I didn't notice anyone else in the church - I only had eyes for him.

He looked so regal in his white tux.

It took a lot of self-control to remind myself I couldn't kiss him until Bishop Dubois gave us the okay!

I tried to pay attention to the scripture readings, but I was lost.

I tried to listen to as much of Bishop's talk as I could, but I couldn't hear him over the pounding of my heart in my ears.

I sat in the pew next to my groom, heart racing, palms sweating, with the biggest grin on my face. 

{We were finally here}.

It was time to officially be made husband and wife.

I stood with shaky legs, our eyes connected to each others' souls, our hands gripping tighter than I think they ever have before.

After a century, I felt Thomas' grip tighten, saw his eyes shine, as he said "I do."

I remember thinking to myself, "Pay attention, pay attention!"

Worried I'd miss the part where I'm meant to say those ever important two words.

But, thankfully, I didn't.

And when it finally time, I think I giggled out the words more than I actually spoke them.

It all felt so surreal.

I still couldn't believe we were finally standing here, finally getting married. 

And then the fun part - our first kiss as husband & wife!

Ooooh man! That was a long wait!
I swear the Bishop kept talking, and talking, and talking, and talking...

...I wasn't paying attention. 

I just wanted to kiss my husband!

But when that moment [finally] came, oh my goodness...bliss!
Thomas placed his hands beneath my ears, on my neck,

and he kissed me so passionately.

I'll be honest: I was completely thrown off guard!
I was not expecting a kiss that passionate at the church!
The kiss was over too soon.

The ceremony ended, and we left the chapel hand-in-hand!

We had {finally} become husband & wife.