Chapter Two:
Words of Blessing Along the Way
Our reception was a simple one. It was simply a time to celebrate with our family and closest friends. As we approached the long table that had been set up in my backyard, I realized how blessed the two of us were. Sitting around the table were people who had stuck up for us through it all, as well as some my friends who had just seen the light. Reverend Sullivan, my mother and father, Mrs. Garber, Eric, Dean, and Sally, all were here for us on our special day.
We visited over cake and punch. Then it was time for the toasts. I reached for Jamie's hand as Jamie's father stood up.
"Landon, I will never forget the look on your face that one afternoon. Somehow you had found the courage to drop by the church on a week day, and suddenly, you looked so defeated. I immediately regretted telling you so bluntly that I didn't want my daughter to date you."
"I thought you said that he was cool with it," Jamie whispered to me, a look of surprise on her face.
I took her hand in mine. "He was, in his own time."
"When you looked up at me," Reverend Sullivan continued, "you told me that all you were asking for was a little faith. It was then that I first saw in you what Jamie had seen in you all along – a compassionate man who wanted nothing more than to please my daughter. I have been fortunate to watch your relationship grow, and I can honestly say that I have never seen my daughter happier, fuller of life, or more content. It's never an easy thing for a man to give his daughter away, especially his only daughter, but I cannot think of a man more deserving. I welcome you into the family, Landon." Removing a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped his moist eyes before returning to his seat.
"I have gotten to welcome not just one person to my family, but two." My father stood up, taking a turn to speak. "I have certainly made my mistakes in life, and have had my regrets. I feel so fortunate, however, that I have gotten to share this momentous occasion with my son and new daughter-in-law. Thank you for sharing your lives and your love with me. I love you both."
I glanced down to my lap. Her delicate hand was still in mine, our fingers intertwined. My thumb was gently running up and down her fingers. Lowering my head, I placed a kiss on her knuckle, directly above her wedding band. Looking up to her face, she smiled while silently mouthing the words I never grew tired of hearing, "I love you." I lost myself in her eyes and time completely came to a halt.
"Umm… Buddy, I hate to interrupt the little moment the two of you have going over there. It's adorable, really. However, I have a few things to say."
A rush of embarrassment consumed me. Eric was now standing, laughing as he gave Dean a high five. Jamie and I returned our attention to the reception.
"I must admit that I was shocked when I heard that you two were getting married. However, it wasn't the first time the idea was brought up. You remember?" Eric's smile stretched across his face.
I thought, long and hard, trying to remember. "Ahhh, that's right." I laughed slightly at the memory and its definite irony.
"Care to share?" Jamie asked, her curiosity rising.
"Well, I'd hate to leave the bride in the dark," Eric continued, anxious to share his story. "It was our first day of high school, and I was going off about some girl I had met over the summer, and Landon decided to give me hard time about it. It was about that time that you came walking down the hall, Jamie. Someone bumped into you, and you dropped the stack of papers you were carrying. Your very own Prince Charming, here, bent over and helped you gather the spread out sheets."
A smile graced Jamie's face as she recalled the now infamous incident.
"As soon as you had rounded the corner, I was quick to retaliate, telling Landon that I knew that he was smitten with the reverend's daughter and that he might as well go ahead and marry you. Do you remember what you told me, Landon?"
"I do, indeed." I said, amazed that the moment had ever slipped from my memory. "I believe it was, 'I just might have to do that'" At that moment, Jamie squeezed my hand, and I was so glad that I had done it after all.
"That would be correct. At the time, I thought it was all a joke, but now, I'm not so sure. I think … no … I know you two have always had something amazing together. It just took time for you two to recognize it. I'm really happy for you, man. You finally found that special someone to grow old with." The laughter subsided, and Eric immediately realized what he had said. "I'm sorry… I wasn't thinking…"
"That was beautiful, Eric," Jamie said, reaching her free hand and resting it on Eric's. "Thank you for sharing such a wonderful memory with me… with us." She turned to me. A single tear had escaped from her liquid eyes. It began to slide its way down her cheek before my fingers caught it, banishing it from her beautiful face. My lips tenderly caressed her forehead. She sighed softly, "I'm sorry…"
"No, Jamie," I reassured her, cutting her off in the process. "As long as I live, you will never have to apologize for being yourself, for that is everything that I am madly in love with." Our lips lovingly joined in a simple kiss – and this time, no one was anxious to interrupt us.
When we parted, my mother wanted to say a few words. "Jamie, you will never know how much I appreciate all that you have done for my son. You have helped him to believe in himself and appreciate all of the gifts God has given him. That morning when he returned from one of your dates, I saw true hope in his eyes. Most importantly, Jamie, you've shown him how to live – to find the one thing that you can't live without, and cling to it, knowing that it is the source of true happiness. I've seen the way Landon looks at you, Jamie, and he's clinging with all that he is. Landon, I have never been prouder of you … of both of you."
"What's this now?" Reverend Sullivan questioned, putting all of the pieces together. "You mean to tell me that Landon was with you that night? Can I retract some of my previous comments?" Everyone burst out into laughter, and I swear I even saw a smile peak through the Reverend's serious expression.
"Sorry, Daddy," Jamie replied, not quite sure if he was joking or not.
"It's a little late for that now, but the two of you had better get out of here before any more of your secrets are revealed." Laughing, he gave both Jamie and me a hug, whispering in my ear, "Now, you take care of my little girl."
Jamie and I hugged and thanked our other guests. Their words of encouragement had meant the world to both of us.
We headed toward my house, each of us wanting to change into more comfortable clothes before we left the reception. After a quick change in my old bedroom, I stood in the hallway, waiting for my new bride to finish in my mom's room.
The door slowly opened, her eyes peeking through the crack. I could see a fragment of the smirk that graced her face. She finished opening the door, and I lost it. She had brought the exact outfit she had worn that night in the cemetery.
"Are you asking for trouble?" I asked her through my laughter.
"That depends," she pondered. Her smirk was now permanent, "what's my punishment going to be?"
I took her hand and together we left, leaving my childhood home and dodging grains of rice on our way to the car.