“Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to celebrate Kirstin Leigh Addams and Ashley Ward Parker Angel’s love in the holly matrimony.” the priest started the ceremony with the traditional words.

     Ashley and Kirstin couldn’t pay attention to the words spoken by the priest though. They were turning their heads around to look at each other every 2 seconds. They were too happy just to be there, making their dreams come true, the words the priest was saying just didn’t matter much. What really mattered was just to know that their significant other was right beside them, getting married, so they could start spending the rest of their lives together.

     “I understand Ashley and Kirstin decided to write their own vows.” the priest said and the word ‘vows’ caught both of their attention, so they turned to the priest.
“Yes.” they said in unison.

     “Well, may I have the rings then?” the priest asked.

     Erik approached them and handed the priest the velvet box with the rings inside it.

     “Thank you.” he said “May we start with the vows, then?” the groom and the bride nodded and so the father continued “Kirstin?”

     Kirstin had been nervous before the wedding started, and also, while walking down the aisle, but somehow, knowing she’d be the first one to say her vows, made her feel worse. She was so nervous and what would happen if she forgot the vows? She was really nervous and her right hand was shaking as it moved to pick Ashley’s band inside the velvet box held by the priest.

     “Ashley, I love you.” she started with the obvious “I love watching you. You have this light inside you that just lights up an entire room. You deserve to be adored. You deserve to be loved. And I can’t thank you enough for letting me be the one person to love and to adore you forever.” ok. So the first part was over. She had said the first part of her vow, thankful for not forgetting a word of it. She just watched Ashley’s smile and the tears forming in his eyes. She almost forgot for a moment, but soon realized she had to proceed with her vows “I’ve heard someone say once that if you set someone free and they come back to you, then you'll know it is meant to be… I’ve run away from you so many times, I’ve broke up with you countless times. But you never gave up on me. Ever. All those times I pushed you away, you managed to always come back to me. It took me a while, but then it snapped. I woke up one day and knew you were the one.” now Ashley was actually in tears, but she didn’t stop the vows, but it was a little harder to get the words out because of the tears that were starting to fall from her eyes as well “I guess I’ve always known, I was just too afraid to realize that I needed and wanted someone with me forever. You were always that one for me. There was no one else out there to fill up your shoes. No one was capable of it. No one would ever come close. Of course, for that knowledge to sink in, it cost us both real pain. And for that, I’m so sorry. But I look back to those days, and then I take a good look at this day right here, and I know was it worth it. I don’t like knowing I caused you pain, but all the pain I caused to myself it was worth it, because I have you here with me today, holding my hand and promising forever. If I had to do that all again, I would. Because I love you, Ashley Ward Parker Angel.” Kirstin had to stop for a while and Ashley took the time to wipe his tears away and also, Kirstin’s “I love you more than my life itself, Ash. And I can’t wait to start a brand new life with you.” With that, Kirstin finished her vows. She took a deep breath to control her emotions and slipped the band on Ashley’s left ring finger. It fit him perfectly. She held on to it for a while, and then let go, looking up at Ashley, who just smiled.

     “Ashley, now you.” the father informed him.

     “Alright.” Ashley tried to calm down as he started to spill the words out “Kirstin, this is the moment I’ve waited for. I’ve pictured this moment right here ever since we were a couple of teenagers. You captivated me from the first time I laid eyes on you, coming towards me in that classroom. Since then, I had eyes for no one else, but you, really. My life began to take shape the day I met you. You put meaning into my life. I can’t remember my life without you anymore. Before you, my life was blank. Now, it’s filled with so many good things, like love, joy, companionship, friendship, care, respect…” Kirstin couldn’t herself from crying for as long as Ashley had.. She was already sobbing, but again, that was the moment she had being waiting for ever since she met Ashley “I was trying to find some author or some song writer who could put into words the way I feel about you. But what I realized is, there are no words for it. I might have to invent a new one to describe what I exactly feel for you, because it’s been a while since love just doesn’t do it anymore. And when you have this feeling that I have, you trust it. It doesn’t matter if everyone else around you is advising you otherwise, you believe in this feeling. Take a chance on it. And you're willing to sacrifice anything to keep it no matter what the cost.” Kirstin’s sob was getting a little loud now, so she took a deep breath to keep it under control “Kirstin, I promise you I will be the one who will bring you coffee when you can’t get up, I will be the one who turns out the light when you go to sleep, I will be the one who takes your coat off, the one to take the blame. I will be the one who will stand beside you in the photograph; I’ll be the one that’s in your water when you want me there. And I’m sorry, but I’ll be the one that puts some color in the white wash.” Although the tears were consuming Kirstin, she was able to let a small giggle out. That made Ashley smile big, but he had to concentrate and not forget a word from his vows “And you, my sweaty, will be the one that knocks the man out I was beating up, you’ll be the one that will always give butterflies in my stomach, you’ll be the one who keeps me sober, one to keep me sane and the one I’ll call my lover and wife.” They were holding hands, but Kirstin had to break that, to wipe some tears away from her face “Kirstin Leigh Addams, I love you now and I promise to love you longer than forever. This is the beginning of the rest of our lives and I can’t wait for it to start.” Ashley finished his vows, took the ring out of the box and placed it, also perfectly, on Kirstin’s finger.

     Kirstin and Ashley locked their eyes on each other and stayed like that for what seemed forever. But the father’s words shook them up and they turned his way.

     “If anyone here can show just cause why this man and woman should not be married, speak now. Or forever hold your peace.” Kirstin got nervous all of a sudden. She turned around immediately to the seats. What if Cindy was still there and would cause a scene or something to ruin her wedding? Fortunately, no one said a word “Fine, then.” the priest continued “Kirstin Leigh Addams, do you take Ashley Ward Parker Angel as your husband?”

     “I do.” Kirstin smiled into Ashley’s eyes, who replied just the same.

     “And you, Ashley Ward Parker Angel, do you take Kirstin Leigh Addams as your wife?”

     “I do.” the smiles were still on Ashley and Kirstin’s faces.

     “In that…” the father continued and joined both Kirstin and Ashley’s hands together “Ashley Ward Parker Angel and Kirstin Leigh Addams, have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, and the exchanging of rings... For now, I pronounce them husband and wife. Those, whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.” Now everyone was smiling.

     “Now, Ashley, you may kiss your bride.”

     “Oh, thank God! I thought this moment would never come.” he smiled and everyone at the wedding laughed.