Keeping with our decision to have a small, intimate wedding, only our close friends and family were there. Looking around at them, I was reminded how grateful I was for each of them in my life.
Grammy smiled up at me, seated next to Mrs. Valenti, and I pinched my lips together at the thought of the two of them spending time together. It was a toss-up who would come out the victor.
When Vicky appeared, soft music playing, everyone turned to face her. Miles inhaled deeply as his wife walked slowly down the makeshift aisle in a flowy peach-colored dress. She winked at him as she passed his seat and smiled at me when she got into place.
An instrumental version of one of my favorite worship songs began to play as Ren and Paolo appeared at the end of the aisle and paused. Everyone stood and looked at her in awe. She was so beautiful that she’d rendered me speechless, along with those gathered.
Ren and her father exchanged an emotional look before I saw her nod. All I could think about was how brave this woman was to walk away from a life she’d created to be here, trustingmewith her future. The realization was like an explosion inside me, its impact making me step back as if I’d been hit. Once again, my doubts about my worthiness set in.
Niko steadied me, his hand at my back, as I smiled and tried to reassure him I was fine. When Ren took a step toward me, peace replaced my earlier concern.
My bride floated gracefully down the aisle in her silky white dress, which made her look like an angel. I didn’t know much about women’s fashion, but it looked like it was made for her. The dress had short sleeves that fluttered in the light breeze, reminding me of butterfly wings, and fell just below her knees.Lace accentuated her waist, the only adornment on it. It was perfect.Shewas perfect.
That’s when her smile created another detonation inside me, making my breath stutter in my throat.
Ren may not be ready to say the words yet, but she has chosen me.
I rubbed my chest and shook my head, making her giggle as I mouthed, ‘wow.’ Caught up in that moment of joy and gratitude, I lifted my eyes heavenward and said ‘thank you’ to my Father. When I looked back at my bride, she was a few feet from me with tears in her eyes.
Ren held a bouquet of gardenias, only enhancing her fragrance that had stolen my breath and my heart from the moment I saw her in that airport.
When a single tear slipped from her beautiful, wide eyes, I lifted my hand and gently wiped it away.
Pastor Danny’s voice broke the spell as he asked, “Who gives this woman to this man?” Paolo answered, “Her mother and I do.”
His voice was scratchy, but he stayed composed as he kissed her cheeks and sat beside his wife. Ren had prepped him on that American tradition since it wasn’t the norm in Italy. She then handed her bouquet to Vicky as they shared a sweet, silent moment together. I loved that they had a friendship similar to Niko’s and mine.
“Hi,” I said nervously, taking her in as she stepped closer to me. The moment brought a solemn feeling to it, realizing her father had officially entrusted me with her care, something I promised him I would never take lightly.
Ren smiled and tilted her head, her curls moving with her as she answered, “Ciao, Mike.” I wondered if we could skip to the part where she was officially my wife.
Pastor welcomed our guests and began speaking about love and respect for one another, about God bringing us together, but my thoughts were focused solely on Renata, the woman who had captured my heart. Her skin glowed, dark and tanned, her white dress only enhancing it. I was so in love with her, and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
“Mike, would you like to say your vows, please?” he asked, snapping my attention back on him.
“Oh, y-yes,” I stuttered, praying I remembered what Paolo had taught me. Holding her hands in mine, reveling at how soft they were, I looked down at them. These were hands I’d hold for the rest of my life.
She smiled as I looked back into her eyes and spoke. “Renata, quando guardo nei tuoi bellissimi occhi, vedo l’eternità. Prometto di camminare al tuo fianco e di essere il tuo sostegno. Oggi ti dono il mio cuore, la mia vita; tutto ciò che ho è tuo, ora e per sempre.” I had practiced them for hours and hoped anything I said incorrectly she’d forgive me for.
Her eyes widened when I started, and by the time I finished, she was crying softly. “Hey, that wasn’t exactly the reaction I’d hoped for,” I whispered, hoping I’d said it all correctly. I wiped her tears with the handkerchief Grammy had put in my pocket, saying I’d need it. She always knew the right thing to do.
“Mike, you big,beautifulman,” she said around a sob and hugged me. There was a collective ‘aw,’ but I also heard a lot of sniffling. When she let me go, she shook her head.
“You keep surprising me, my Data Boy,” she said, with a teasing tone. We were grinning at each other for what felt like forever when Pastor Danny softly spoke. I liked her addition of ‘my’ to her nickname for me.
“Renata, would you like to say your vows now?”
She nodded her head and took a breath, her eyes never leaving mine. “Michael Walker, you have become the sweetest,most unexpected gift to me. I promise to be your home, to walk beside you in the storms, and to shield you from the darkness. I choose you and give you my heart, my life. Now and always.”
Her words cut through me, and I wondered how she knew to choose those exact words. I didn’t even realize I was tearing up until her soft fingers wiped them away.
“Mike, you have a ring for Ren to signify your never-ending commitment, yes?” Pastor asked.
“Yes, I do.” Niko handed me Grammy’s wedding ring. It had been made to nestle perfectly around the engagement ring she wore. I held it out and looked at Ren. “With this ring, I pledge my life to you,” I said, as I slid it onto her dainty finger. Her nails had been painted a pale pink that made me smile. My girl was brave and fiercely independent, but her soft side was just as beautiful.
At that moment, my heart started to race even faster as I panicked, wondering if I was supposed to havemywedding ring, but when Pastor spoke the same words to Ren, she turned and took something from Vicky’s hand with a smile. I closed my eyes, grateful that I hadn’t just ruined our ceremony.
I held my shaking left hand out to Ren, who took it in hers. She held up a gorgeous titanium ring with an abalone shell, intertwined with a type of wood I didn’t recognize. She must’ve seen my curiosity and said, “Mike, I chose this ring because of the Hawaiian Koa wood, which is believed to be a symbol of strength and integrity. It reminded me of you.”
