“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...” The minister in the dark suit recites the words to the ceremony in a gentle voice. I've heard them enough times for others that I don't listen. I don't need formal words; I already know in my heart what he is saying. I love Logan, and he loves me. We are joining ourselves together in front of our family and friends so that we never have to be apart again.
I look into Logan's eyes. They are deep pools with glowing embers of love and joy illuminating them. Looking into them, I am content and at peace.
“Repeat after me: I, Logan Hayes...”
“I, Logan Hayes,” Logan repeats in his deep voice. He sounds nervous, but that makes him all the more loveable. I know he's been looking forward to this for a long time and has been practicing because he doesn't want to mess it up. He wants this to be perfect for me.
Except, everything is already is perfect. As long as he promises to love me, I get to promise the same, and we seal the promise with a kiss, this wedding is all I could ever want. I don't need the perfect words or the perfect dress to have the perfect wedding.
“I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.” Logan's hand shakes as he slides my ring onto my finger. He grins once it's situated. Then it's my turn.
“Repeat after me: I, Olivia Statler...”
“I, Olivia Statler...” My voice comes out strong. I've wanted to say these words to Logan almost since the moment I met him. He is my happily ever after. With him by my side, I know we will ride off into the sunset and kiss until the curtain draws. We were made for one another. “I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
I nearly drop the ring in the sand, but manage to hold onto it. Logan chuckles and I see laughter in his eyes. I slide the shiny metal band on to his finger and I know that this is the beginning of something wonderful. There is so much for us to look forward to, so many dreams and adventures for the two of us to experience. I can hardly wait.
“By the power vested in me, I then declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!”
Logan and I gravitate like magnets toward one another's open arms, and our lips meet in a simple act of love. We kiss, starting our new life togethe
r in an act of love. I can't think of a better way to begin.
Logan's brother Aiden whoops, and Maddy wolf-whistles. Tyler is busy looking everywhere but at the two of us. Someday, he'll kiss a girl like this and not find it quite so intimidating. The thought makes me smile.
“Congratulations,” the minister tells us. He shakes everyone's hand, including Tyler's, and then walks back down the beach toward the resort. The five of us stand in a circle, grinning like idiots. Logan has my hand in his.
“Should we go join the party?” Aiden asks, offering his arm to Maddy. She blushes but quickly takes it.
“You three go on ahead,” Logan tells them. “We'll be along in just a minute.”
“We'll let the DJ know,” Maddy says. “That way you two can make a grand entrance.”
Maddy, Tyler, and Aiden follow the minister's footprints back toward the resort, leaving Logan and me alone on our little patch of white sand. Logan takes both my hands in his.
“I love you,” he says. It's simple and yet perfect. His eyes shine with affection and joy.
“I love you,” I whisper back.
He lets go of one hand to guide me into his kiss. I tangle my fingers in his honey curls, feeling the warmth of the sudden nestled in their midst. He tastes like heaven.
There is a party at the resort where more friends and family are waiting. They can continue to wait. For this moment, I am with the love of my life, and we are celebrating what we have. It took us a long time to finally get it right, but now, the world is ours. Our businesses run together. Our hearts run together. Our worlds are now one.
The wind dances around us, gentle and soft. This kiss is so very different than our hurricane kisses, but yet the same. Love has tempered the storm and made it so that things are now bright and sunny. We are kissing in the sunshine, but thankful for our hurricane kisses.