“All right, I think it’s time, so without further delay,” he cleared his throat, “we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Jameson Trea Fisher and Arizona Grace Rhodes as they reaffirm their love and commitment to one another and exchange their vows in marriage.”
Jameson took my hands and tenderly ran his thumbs over my skin.
“Love is often described as a profound connection felt deep within. While love is one of the most precious gifts you can offer someone, it’s also a conscious choice, as love isn’t always easy.Love can be messy, test our boundaries, and force us to confront our deepest fears and worries head-on. Yet, we also discover strength, resilience, and forgiveness through love. It shapes our path, offers comfort, and has the power to heal. Love feels like home, not in the physical sense, but in the emotional connection it fosters, because when you’re with the one you love, you feel the most understood and safe enough to lower your guard without fear of judgment. It is with that person you celebrate the good times and weather the storm together with.”
I exhaled a shaky breath, overwhelmed as Jaxon’s words washed over me. I realized how safe everything felt when you were with the person you were destined to be with.
That was what Jameson was to me; he was my home.
“Do you, Arizona, take Jameson to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and cherish, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Jameson, take Arizona to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“And now the rings.” Jaxon bent down to take the pillow from Ford’s adorable little boy, Maxim.
I slipped the thick titanium band on Jameson’s finger, right over his new tattoo, symbolizing that a piece of me would always be with him since it wasn’t safe for him to wear the ring at work. “This ring, along with the letterAtattooed on your finger, represents my love and commitment to you, forever and always.”
We both beamed as a tear ran down my cheek.
“This ring,” I watched as he slid an eternity band on my finger, “represents my love and commitment to you as it is a circle with no beginning and no end; it is proof that I will findyou in every lifetime because my soul can’t live without yours. I love you, Arizona.”
“I love you too, Jameson.”
“By the power vested in me by the Internet gods, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may—” Jameson didn’t let his brother finish before his lips were on mine as he dipped me backward amidst cheers, laughter, and applause. “Do exactly what you’re doing because, in typical Jameson fashion, you’re defying orders since you’re already kissing your bride.”
Jameson was my happily ever after, my everything, my home.
“Bro.” Jaxon clapped his hand on Jameson’s shoulder. “There is one more order of business you need to attend to before we all go home and tuck ourselves into bed, hoping Santa comes to Mom and Dad’s, and I, for one, have been a very good boy this year.”
“Doubtful, but all right.” Jameson smirked.
“Hey, I got myself ordained for you; that automatically absolves me of any past or future wrongdoings.”
“True story.”
My dad got up and handed Jameson a wood carving tool, then pulled the white cloth off the table to reveal my mom’s workbench underneath—the very one I had been devastated to lose in the fire, along with all our other tangible memories.
“Oh my God.” I pressed my hands together in front of my nose and mouth, unable to look away from the workbench. I was stunned, my thoughts spinning in disbelief and awe. While there were obvious signs of additional wear and damage, it had been saved by some miraculous intervention. “How?”
“It was the item I was trying to protect when I lost consciousness. After Jameson saved me, he went back and got it out.”
“You guys, I don’t know what to say,” I expressed through clogged emotions. The truth was, there was so much to say, and yet I struggled to find the right words to adequately describe my gratitude.
It wasn’t just the appreciation I felt bursting out of my heart to be standing there with my husband and my dad; it was also about being surrounded by my mom’s love and spirit.
“You don’t need to say anything because we all know what this means to you. Now, what do you think about adding our mark to this workbench?”
“I say, I like how you think, Mr. Fisher.”
“Perfect, because it’s you and me forever, Mrs. Fisher.”
Together, we carved into the wood: J + A = 4EVER.
Our love became the defining rhythm and the solid foundation that united us when the timing was perfect for our story—our journey.
