CharismaticCrowe59f19c

Tasha felt her breath stop as her father escorted her from the chamber into the late afternoon sun, with Chelsea leading them. There were a few people milling around outside, but at first glimpse of her everything came to a standstill. She was heavily aware of all the eyes upon her. She was also aware of a slight sweat developing although whether it came from nerves or the heat she could not tell.

The door into the wedding chamber revealed darkness with candlelight flowing from the inside. Chelsea's cue sounded and she glanced back at Tasha, afraid. Tasha smiled and nodded to give her reassurance and Chelsea disappeared into the enveloping dimness of the chamber. She gripped her fathers arm, as he leaned over to kiss her cheek. Not trusting himself to speak, he straightened up quickly lest his emotions break free of him.

The soft organ floated in the glistening air, buoyantly echoing on the wind with it's joyous melody. She heard beginning of the wedding march and steeled herself for her entrance. Stepping lightly into the entrance, they paused for a moment to give their eyes time to adjust after the airy afternoon light. As the brightness ebbed from her eyes, she saw Russell at the far end of the chamber. His eyes were intent upon her. She was aware of the light flowing from around her and heard someone in the crowd whisper the word "Angel."

Then they were moving forward and then her father was placing her arm in Russell's. The minister said, "Who is it that brings this woman to this man?"

Her father said, "I do, on behalf of her family and friends."

He then stepped away to stand behind them and Russell took her arm in his. Moving the remaining feet forward, Tasha couldnt break her eyes away from Russ. He had never looked better. His eyes seemed more brilliant than gemstone, so brightly were they shining. The most tender and elated expression danced across his face. She felt as though she were made of the same stuff that stars were and that surely she must radiate with dazzling light at this moment.

Her need to kiss him was adamently hard to ignore. He seemed to be struggling with his own need to pull her close, but he somehow guided her to the appointed place before the minister. They tore their eyes from each other, thus prompting the minister to begin.

His serene voice filled the room, resonating from ceiling to floor in hushed but clear tones. Tasha tried to focus on what he was saying, but had difficulty concentrating.

And then the minster said, "Russell, do you take Natasha to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her; forsaking all others and holding only onto her until death do you part?"

Russell's deep voice filled the chamber as he said, "I do."

The minister turned to Tasha and said, "Natasha, do you take Russell to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him; forsaking all others and holding only until him until death do you part?"

Tasha felt the deep joy welling within her very soul as she said, "I do."

She felt Russell squeeze her arm gently and the ceremony continued.

"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and woman in marriage. Therefore let us move on to the exchanging of rings. Do each of you have the rings?" He asked.

Russ looked back at Terry just long enough to take the ring from him and Emily grinned as she passed Tasha the ring.

The minister said benevolently, "In token of your love for one another, please turn and face each other for the exchanging."

It took only a slight turning and Tasha was looking deep into those sea green eyes again. Russ took her left hand in his as the minister said, "Repeat after me. I, Russell, do take thee Natasha, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer, and I promise to love you as long as we both shall live. With this ring, I thee wed."

Russell repeated the vow with a voice on the edge of cracking, and slipped the ring on her finger. Then it was her turn to repeat the vow.

"I, Natasha, do take thee Russell to be my lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health. For richer or for poorer, and I promise to love you as long as we both shall live. With this ring, I thee wed."

She slipped the ring she was holding onto his finger and they both turned back to the minister.
The minister continued. "A marriage represents one of lifes largest committments of love. I would like to read to you a verse of Scripture from Ephesians:

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
This day, your love is joined togather before God and his angels. Should there be anyone now who has any cause that this couple should not be married, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
After a pause of pure silence, the minister continued.

"As the two people joined here in love have exchanged their vows, by the power vested in me, I now declare them Husband and Wife." He turned to Russell.

"You may now kiss the bride."

With that, Russell swept her up into a fervent kiss that ended in resounding applause and cheers from the crowd of family and friends. They were now married.