Page 385 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

"You all know Annette as the woman who somehow convinced the most stubborn hockey captain on the planet to follow doctor's orders."

Jamie quietly mutters, "Allegedly."

Another ripple of laughter moves through the room and Keisha smiles.

"I've known her for a long time."

She pauses. "I've known her through exams, impossible shifts, bad apartments, ramen dinners, and the kind of weeks where we weren't sure we'd make rent."

I laugh softly. Those days feel like another lifetime.

"Through all of it, she has remained exactly the same person."

Her voice grows gentler.

"She noticed the lonely people."

"She remembered birthdays."

"She stayed late."

"She made room for everyone."

She looks around the reception. "I wasn't surprised when this town fell in love with her."

I blink hard.

"I wasn't even surprised when Jamie fell in love with her."

Jamie reaches for my hand again.

"I was only surprised it took him so long."

The room erupts in laughter. Coach nods thoughtfully. "Fair."

Even Jamie laughs.

Keisha waits until the room quiets again. "The thing I admire most about Annette is that she never tries to be the center of the room. She quietly makes everyone else feel like they matter."

She looks toward Jamie. "I think that's why the two of you fit so perfectly. You both spend your lives lifting other people."

She smiles.

"My prayer is that for the rest of your lives you remember to lift each other, too."

She raises her glass.

“To my best friend and the man lucky enough to marry her.”

"To Jamie and Annette."

The room echoes the toast.

I can't stop the tears this time. Neither can Jamie. He intertwines his fingers with mine and gives my hand the gentlest squeeze.

***

A few minutes later someone wheels the wedding cake to the center of the tent.