Mary stood at the back of the church, looking at where her husband-to-be stood. Seeing the faces of so many people she loved who'd come here for this, Mary was taken back in time for a moment. She could still recall when she first moved to Minneapolis. She felt so alone, but little did she know she was already surrounded by family.

Then Mary caught sight of Charles, and her memories faded. She thought about when she'd first met him, just a year after leaving WJM. It hadn't taken her long to find a job at another TV station. She'd noticed Charles right away. He was handsome, but her experience with Ted Baxter had taught her that looks weren't the same as intelligence. She wasn't interested in an office romance. Instead, Mary focused on work. She'd already gotten close to one group of coworkers, only to have them ripped away from her. She would not make that mistake again.

Despite Mary's efforts to keep her distance, Charles would not give up. Eventually, she agreed to one date with him, making it clear that it would be just dinner and nothing else. That night, the two found themselves talking for hours, and Mary felt she'd known Charles for a lot longer than a few months. Before Mary knew what was happening, she and Charles were seriously discussing their future together. For the first time in her life, Mary Richards had met a man she could actually see herself marrying.

Mary knew she would have to plan this wedding carefully, as she would be inviting people from all over. Her WJM family had scattered around the country after they were fired. But this was an event none of them would miss. Sue Ann had landed herself a national TV show, and was doing quite well for herself. Amazingly, her private life had, thus far, remained just that. Mary had wisely decided that it was not worth it to invite the Happy Homemaker to her wedding. She could not endure Sue Ann's comments about Mary's love-life or her choices of decorations.

Aside from her work friends, Mary had invited only Rhoda. Phyllis was busy traveling the globe now. Though Rhoda hadn't said anything, Mary knew her friend was grateful that Phyllis had been unable to attend. It eased Mary's mind as well. She still remembered what happened at Rhoda's wedding, and didn't want to see that repeated.

As Mary neared the altar, she saw Lou and Murray, seated next to each other in one of the front pews. She knew Lou was trying his best to hold his emotions in, but of course it wasn't working as well as he'd hoped. She smiled at them. She couldn't imagine where she'd be today without the two of them.

Then, like a magnet, Mary's attention was once again turned to the man waiting for her at the altar. She had enjoyed her single years. Had Mary not waited to get married, she would never have had the career she did now. Next to Charles, it was the most important thing in her life. Being married would obviously change her life, but she was ready for it.

When Mary reached her place beside Rhoda and Georgette, Charles smiled at her. You look beautiful, he mouthed. His compliment warmed Mary's heart.

"Well, it looks like we have everyone we need here," the minister said. "Are you ready?"

"Yes," Mary said, and there was no hesitation in her voice. This was right, and everyone knew it.

"All right, then. We usually think of a family as parents and children, all bonded by blood and history. But it doesn't always have to be that way," the minister said. "If you think about it, any group of people who live and work closely with each other can give us many of the same feelings as any biological family. And that's what we have here today. So, in celebration of that, Mary and Charles are here to join their lives, and form a more traditional family."

For a moment, the chapel was silent, as everyone took in the words spoken by the preacher.

"Now, do we have the rings?"

"Right here," Rhoda said, handing Mary the gold band.

At the same time, Charles was given his by his best man.

"Do you, Charles, promise to love, honor and cherish Mary for as long as you live?"

"I do," Charles said, slipping the ring onto Mary's finger.

Mary found that she could barely speak when it was her turn to speak the same words. But this was not a moment to let her emotions get in the way.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Just like that, Mary Richards was no longer a single woman. When she turned around to face the congregation, nearly everyone was wiping a tear from their eyes. She felt her heart would nearly burst from the love she felt in the room. Yes, she thought. I've finally made it, after all.