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“Alright, boys,” my dad says as he’s about to give me away. “How many fathers do you think say that when they walk their daughter down the aisle? Boysss.”
“Daddy, you’re not funny,” I say, but myboysgive the appropriate chuckle.
Mason extends his hand first. “We’ll take good care of her, sir.”
“No doubt.” My father shakes Mason’s hand, then Nate’s “No doubt at all.”
Before he goes to his seat, he kisses my cheek. “I love you.”
I want to pull my dad into the longest hug of my life and weep into his shoulder. I don’t feel as if he’s handing me off to another man, like an exchange. I feel surrounded by three men who love me and, in my heart of hearts, know I’m choosing this.
As I watch my father go to his seat, I take in all of our friends and family.
We kept it small. Under fifty people. Those we love and those who understand. Those who know that our happiness beats any convention.
Sonia appears at my side. “Let me take this,” she whispers as she takes my bouquet.
I prolong the moment, letting her linger beside me.
If only she knew what she means to me. The depths of gratitude I have for her.
Watching Edwin and Sonia unite was a truly life changing moment for us. To see the power of love spoken aloud and sealed in front of the world.
She smiles. I have her to thank in many ways. For leaving Nate two years ago, yes. But most of all, for her unflinching support. Her unwillingness to let any of us look away.
Some people just know.
I squeeze her hand. “Thank you.”
With a kind smile, she goes back to her place, and we can begin.
“You look amazing,” Mason murmurs in my ear.
We lock eyes.
His tremble with tears.
I can’t believe we made it back to each other. Better than ever.
I take his hand in mine and squeeze.
Then, I turn my attention to Nate who is dabbing away another tear. I can’t help but giggle. “You’re such a sap.”
“I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.”
I take his hand too, and our officiant begins the ceremony.
I’m so nervous for the vow exchange that I almost miss the first half of the ceremony until the officiant announces that it’s time for the vows.
I’ve agreed to go last which means my anxiety is only going to grow.
But the second Mason unfolds his little paper containing all his deepest thoughts about me, and our eyes meet, the anxiety goes away.
“Laney. I adore you with all my heart and have since the moment I met you. You made me realize not only what love is but what I’m willing to do not to lose it. Every day, you teach me how to be a better man. Whether it’s through your patience for strangers walking too slow on the sidewalk or your insistence that we carry the bug outside rather than smash it, I am constantly aspiring to your levels of grace and compassion.”
The crowd chuckles.
I smile, though tears are budding in my eyes.
