THE CEREMONY
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THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
The Jefferson Memorial is located on the south bank of the Tidal Basin near downtown Washington, DC. Modeled after the Pantheon of Rome, Architect John Russell Pope used Jefferson's own architectural tastes in the design of the Memorial. President Roosevelt laid the cornerstone in 1939. The memorial was dedicated in 1943, the statue of Jefferson looks out from the interior of the Memorial toward the White House.
As the guests were escorted to their seats, a string quartet played in the background. At this point Harm could not be seen, he was out of view pacing behind the Statue while Sergei watched. They didn't speak; Sergei wasn't sure what he could possibly say. He just smiled as he watched his brother; knowing that he wasn't pacing out of nervousness but out of impatience. Trish and Frank walked over to Harm.
"Here we go." Harm said exhaling nervously.
"Harm you look wonderful." Trish said. "Your father is so proud right now."
"Thanks mom." Harm said kissing his mother.
"I'm proud of you too son." Frank said extending his hand.
"Thanks Frank." Harm said. "For everything."
"Harm we need to go to the back." Sturgis said leading Trish and Frank to the "entrance" area.
"See you guys later." Harm said with a nervous laugh.
Harm was left once again standing with his brother.
"It's time." Sergei said smiling.
Harm and Sergei walked towards the podium where Reverend Turner was standing. Harm had to laugh. The string quartet played Anchor's Aweigh as he walked up. Harm looked at Teresa Coulter and smiled. She held her hands up in a "why not?" fashion.
According to plan, The Burnett's and The Anderson's were escorted to their seats. Once they were settled Sturgis and Bud took their places in front with Harm. Clay and Ahmed pulled the white runner back and then took their places.
The limousine with Mac and the bridal party arrived, as each woman walked up the steps and into the memorial Harm's heart began to beat faster. It was as if each person represented a countdown. The soft sounds of Pacabel's Canon in D filled the memorial as they walked in. Finally Little AJ made his way down the aisle, this meant Mac was next.
"Uncle Harm." Little AJ said as he approached the front. "Auntie Mac looks beetful. Here are the rings."
"Thanks little man." Harm said giving him the thumbs up.
The music ended and The Wedding March began. Mac and AJ walked up the steps and stopped at the white runner.
"Are you ready?" AJ asked.
Mac answered with an astounding "Yes."
"Mac, This is truly an honor. " AJ started
"Sir, AJ, please don't make me cry." Mac said laughing.
"Let's go." AJ said and he walked her down the aisle.
As Harm watched them walk down the aisle he thought his heart would leap out of his chest. Mac was more than beautiful. Her ivory satin gown had beading and Venise lace. With a sweetheart neckline, and princess line satin gown and short tailored sleeves were embellished with Venise lace flowers and pearls. The back bodice had satin covered buttons to hem. Her satin headpiece was designed with the same pearl and crystal trim as her gown and simple tulle.
Once they were at the front, AJ lifted Mac's veil and give her a kiss. He shook Harm's hand, smiled and went to his seat. Mac and Harm smiled at each other and hand in hand took the few remaining steps toward Reverend Turner together.
"Before we begin, the ceremony" Reverend Turner said. "The groom has a little something for the bride."
With that Commander Teresa Coulter stood up and went over by the quartet. As the music began to play, Teresa sang Trisha Yearwood's ballad One Love:
So many times,
love went south
Down into the valley of the shadow of doubt
My faith was fadin', my hope was gone
I wandered in the wilderness, all alone
You came to me like a revelation
In your arms, I found salvation, oh
One love took me
to the mountaintop
Showed me a world I'd never seen
One love took me down to the riverside
Opened my heart, and washed me clean
Nothin' less than a miracle
Sent from Heaven above
One love One
love One love
Showed me a world I'd never seen
One love
Opened my heart and made me feel brand-new
One love
Took me to the mountaintop
One love
Showed me a world I'd never seen
"Harm that was beautiful, I didn't know she could sing." Mac whispered.
"I'm glad you liked it." Harm whispered back. "Now let's get married."
THE CEREMONY
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace. Harmon and Sarah you have come here today in the sight of this congregation to be joined in holy Matrimony. Please respond with I will." Reverend Turner began.
"Harmon Wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will" Harm said.
"Sarah Wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?" Reverend Turner asked.
"I will" Mac replied.
"Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?" Reverend Turner continued.
"I do, well we all do." AJ said.
"Please join hands. Harmon repeat after me. I Harmon take thee Sarah to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life. According to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." Reverend Turner instructed.
"I Harmon take thee Sarah to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life. According to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." Harm repeated with a big smile.
"Sarah if you will repeat after me. I Sarah take thee Harmon to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love, honor and obey you all the days of my life. According to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." Reverend Turner dictated.
"I Sarah take thee Harm to… wait a second." Mac stopped.
"Mac what are you doing?" Harm said trying not to move his lips.
"Why didn't you have to say obey?" Mac asked speaking with closed lips as well.
"They are traditional vows Mac." Harm said slightly impatient but with a smile.
"Even if they are, I am not saying obey." Mac said through a smile of gritted teeth.
"Sarah, repeat after me." Reverend Turner urged.
"Just a moment." Mac said with a smile holding up a finger. By now most of the guests in the front and the bridal party knew what was going on and were chuckling. "Why do I have to say obey?"
"It's what's written." Reverend Turner said looking at them and trying no to laugh.
"Mac, just say it." Harriet urged.
"Harriet?" Mac looked at her.
"Well?" Harriet said with a giggle.
"Mac please…" Harm said helplessly.
"Harm, it's not fair." Mac said.
"Mac what are you doing?" Bud said leaning around the other ushers.
"She's finally gone crazy." Bobbie said with a slight laugh.
"Mac you know it's just a word." Sturgis said.
"Women in Russia always obey." Sergei said laughing.
"Sergei we are American women." Chloe said getting in on the conversation.
"This isn't happening." Harm said looking up. "Mac, come on."
"I just don't think it's right." Mac said with a mischievous smile.
"If I may." Reverend Turner interrupted them. "Sarah, please repeat after me. I Sarah take thee Harmon to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life. According to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
"Thank you." Mac said with a smile. "I Sarah take thee Harmon to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love, honor and cherish you all the days of my life. According to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Reverend Turner exhaled and continued, "May I have the rings please. These rings are a symbol of your love, they are continuous and as a circle have no beginning and no end, just like your love. Harmon please repeat after me. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring I thee wed." Harm said placing the ring on Mac's finger.
"Sarah, please repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed." Reverend Turner said.
"With this ring I thee wed." Mac repeated as she placed Harm's ring on his finger.
"For as much as Harmon and Sarah have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are Man and Wife, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." Reverend Turner said with a smile. "You may kiss the bride."
Harm leaned in and kissed Mac. Everyone rose to their feet and applauded.
They accepted hugs and congratulations from the bridal party, Harm's parents and the Andersons. They walked back down the aisle and greeted the guests. Then it was time for pictures. After the pictures were taken Mac and Harm descended down the stairs of the Jefferson Memorial to a shower of rose petals. From this point, they retreated to a waiting limousine and to the reception, the guests went back to the trolleys and were returned to the Mall to pick up their cars and head to the reception.
IN THE LIMO
"Hello Mrs. Rabb." Harm said kissing Mac.
"Hmm, I like that." Mac said with a smile.
"So how does it feel?" Harm said.
"Kiss me again and I'll let you know." Mac teased and Harm obliged. "Feels wonderful."
"Excuse me, can we close this?" Harm asked the driver referring to the partition window.
"Yes Sir," the driver said raising the window.
Harm put his arm around Mac and she settled into him. They held each other, kissed and laughed. They were finally married and everything was perfect.
"Mac I have to tell you, you scared me for a second there." Harm said laughing.
"Well, did you really think I was going to say obey?" Mac replied.
"Well I am the man of the family." Harm said hugging her tightly. "You know the head of the family."
"Yes, but I am the marine." Mac laughed. "Besides remember that Greek Wedding movie? The man is the head but the wife is the neck, and we control the head." Mac laughed kissing him. Harm kissed back knowing this was one argument he would never win.
A bit later they pulled into the Landon House grounds. "Excuse me Sir." The driver said. "Ms. Paparini said to wait here."
"Ok." Harm replied.
"Must have something to do with that surprise." Mac said.
They sat in the limo and waiting for Anna. Finally Clay and Anna got there and jumped into the limo.
"Congrats guys." Clay said.
"Thank you. Now what's going on?" Mac asked.
"You have to be the last to arrive at the reception. I want you to arrive in style." Anna said.
"We're already in a limo." Harm said, "Are we flying in?"
"No, besides your mother said she has a surprise for you too." Clay said.
"Ok? Well I guess we can relax here for now. If you two would please get out, I want to be alone with my wife." Harm joked.
"We can take a hint." Clay smiled. "We'll be back to get you after all the guests have arrived."
"Byeeee." Mac waved as Clay and Anna got out of the limo. "Well Mr. Rabb, you have me alone for a little bit. What do you plan to do?"
"This." Harm said as he kissed her.
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Author's note: The wedding vows used were translated from Armenian. We Armenians are the only ones I know of today that still have the woman say Obey.