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We all shake hands. I glance at the door, seeing a few members of staff there, peering in, wanting to see the ceremony. Suddenly, I’m nervous. My palms are sweating, and I feel flustered. Oh God, I’m getting married, committing myself for two years to someone I don’t even know that well. Am I mad?
“Come and stand here,” Sharon directs, gesturing for Aroha to stand in front of her on her right, and me on her left. Alex and Missie sit with Leia in the two seats to one side. Sharon asks us to turn off our phones, which we all do. My fingers fumble on the buttons. My heart is beginning to race.
“Alex explained that you only wanted a simple ceremony,” Sharon says, “and that you didn’t want to write your own vows or have personal readings or music, so I’m going to use the official marriage vows, okay?”
We both nod.
“They’re short and sweet,” she says, “but no less meaningful for that.”
I wonder whether she’s going to give us a speech on the sacredness of marriage, but to my relief she doesn’t. Instead, she asks, “Is everyone ready?”
Another nod. I look at Aroha. She studies my tie.
Outside, a kea—an alpine parrot that the lodge is named after—sails past the window, and I can hear the sound of the wind in the trees. I can’t hear cars or any conversation—even the people watching have fallen quiet. It’s very peaceful here. I know this isn’t a religious ceremony by any means, but to my surprise it feels it. I feel as if God is watching us. Man, I haven’t thought that since I was about twelve.
“Tena koutou katoa,” Sharon begins. “Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this celebration of marriage between James and Aroha. Thank you for sharing this important day with them. My name is Sharon Hart, and I am authorized by the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand to conduct this ceremony as a registered marriage celebrant.”
Aroha swallows. She looks as nervous as I feel.
Sharon continues, “James and Aroha, in marrying you are making a sincere commitment to go forward in your lives formally united as partners, promising support and encouragement to each other throughout your lives together. However, no ceremony can create a marriage; only the two of you can do that—by supporting, trusting, and respecting each other, in all that you share together. Now, please take one another’s hands.”
Aroha lifts hers into mine. Her light-brown skin is warm. She’s painted her nails a pearly color, and they shimmer in the sunshine.
“James and Aroha, we come now to your marriage vows, which are the legally binding words that confirm your choice to marry and declare your commitment to each other. New Zealand law requires that each of you declares before me, and at least two other witnesses, that you are freely entering into this marriage and that you take the other person to be your legally wedded wife or husband. I will ask each of you now to repeat this statement after me.”
My pulse is pounding. Aroha’s hands tremble in mine. Oh God. Are we doing the right thing?
At that moment, though, Leia laughs and babbles something not unlike, “Mum, mum, mum.” We all laugh, but my neck prickles at the thought that maybe she’s seen Maddie here, watching the ceremony.
This is why we’re doing it. For Maddie. For Leia.
As if she’s thought the same thing, for the first time Aroha lifts her gaze to meet mine. In the late afternoon sunshine, her eyes are brown, green, and gold. She smiles, and suddenly all my nerves fade away.
“First, James,” Sharon instructs. “I, James Ernest Rutherford, am freely entering into this marriage, and take you, Aroha Jane Wihongi, to be my legal wife.”
I repeat the words slowly and carefully. Aroha’s eyes stay on mine the whole time.
“Now Aroha,” Sharon states. “I, Aroha Jane Wihongi, am freely entering into this marriage, and take you, James Ernest Rutherford, to be my legal husband.”
Aroha says the words. Her voice is quiet and shy, but she’s smiling.
My stomach flips as she speaks. We’re really doing this. We’re joining ourselves together legally and… spiritually? No, it’s just a contract. It doesn’t mean anything.
But it does. I can feel it. Almost as if someone is wrapping a silver cord around us, and it’s gradually tightening.
“Now we’ll exchange the rings,” Sharon says.
Alex stands, takes out the two rings in the black velvet box, and hands the larger to Aroha, the smaller to me.
Sharon continues, “Today you have chosen to exchange rings. A wedding ring is a symbol of the marriage vows you have just made. May these rings always remind you of your commitment to each other. I now invite you to exchange rings.”
Aroha holds out her left hand, and I slide her ring onto her finger. I then hold out my hand, and she does the same. The gold bands shine in the sunlight.
“James and Aroha,” Sharon says, “it is my great pleasure to pronounce you legally married. Congratulations. Tena rawa atu korua.”
And just like that, it’s done. We’re husband and wife.
Chapter Thirty
