Part 21
December 19, 2009
Harm's POV
I wish I knew how long I've been standing up here. The last time I did this, Mac was here to ask, but I definitely like it better this way.
I can't believe this is finally happening. Sarah and I are getting married in approximately three minutes. Life doesn't get any better than this. With a slight smile, I remember all the responses we got when we announced our engagement. Everyone was ecstatic—I thought poor Harriet was going to hyperventilate she was so happy. And of course, they all felt it was their duty to point out that it was about time.
The music's beginning. Standing a little taller, I wait for my first sight of her. She'll be walking alone today. I remember what she said about that. "Harm, I'm over 40 and I've been through 1.5 weddings. I don't need someone to give me away, and I'd feel pretty silly about it." Then I see her, and I remember nothing.
She's a vision. Her simple white gown fits her like a glove, the satin glistening in the candlelight. It's her eyes that hold my attention though. Her eyes have always held the key to her heart, and today they mirror the love and excitement I feel as she approaches me. Placing her hand in mine, we turn to face the minister.
I have to admit I'm really not paying attention to a word he's saying. I'm focused solely on this woman by my side and all she means to me. However, when she pokes me in the side, I realize it's my turn to talk. "I do," I reply to the laughter of our friends. And then she echoes my words, a hint of laughter in her voice as well. That's fine, I don't care if the whole world laughs at me today.
"Harmon and Sarah have chosen to write their own vows," the minister announces and all attention is again focused on me. This time I know what I'm supposed to say though.
"Sarah, I can never tell you how much I love you, there simply aren't enough words. However, I can promise to show you each and every day for the rest of our lives. I will show you in simple actions, like doing the dishes and picking up milk on the way home from work. I will also show you in larger actions, such as taking you out on special days and being there when you need me. I promise that for the rest of my life, I will not let a single day go by without letting you know how much I love you, respect you, and adore you. You are my life."
I can see the tears shimmering in her eyes, and before I can stop myself, my fingertips are brushing them away. She leans slightly into my gentle caress and then begins to speak.
"Harm, I love you, but I can promise you that we will fight. Always before I have run from personal conflict in my life—if not physically, then I withdrew emotionally. In marrying you, I am promising that I will not do that. You are my rock, the one that I can count on when things get rough, and I promise to trust you, love you, and cherish you and only you for the rest of our lives."
Now I'm the one with tears in my eyes, but the minister is saying it's time for the rings. Placing the ring on her finger, I slide it up to join the engagement ring and say, "With this ring, I thee wed, with this body, I thee worship, and all my worldly goods I thee endow." Then she takes my hand in hers and I feel the coolness of my wedding band slide onto my finger and there's a sudden roaring in my ears.. I look into her eyes and I see her lips move, but I can't hear the words.
Then the moment is over and I hear the minister say, "I now pronounce you husband and wife… you may kiss the bride." I'm glad I didn't miss that, or my friends really would have laughed, I think to myself as I place my lips on hers. Then all thought ceases and everyone disappears, and it's just her and I. Finally I register Bud's embarrassed muttering behind me, and I cut the kiss short. Taking her by the arm, I face the crowd and the minister says, "It is my pleasure to present to you for the very first time, Captain and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr."
Epilogue
The reception went by in a blur. Just before they left, Grandma Sarah took Sarah aside and pressed something into her hand. Looking down, Mac smiled slightly. It was the letter. "So you remember the story of how your love began," Gram said and gave her a hug.
Harm and Mac both kept their vows to each other. He went out of his way each day to show her his love, and on days when life got in the way, she didn't withdraw. They had two more children, plus Bethy of course, and died within days of each other after 55 years of marriage. Their friends and family saw to it that they were buried under a joint tombstone which simply stated, "They never forgot."
December 19, 2009
Harm's POV
I wish I knew how long I've been standing up here. The last time I did this, Mac was here to ask, but I definitely like it better this way.
I can't believe this is finally happening. Sarah and I are getting married in approximately three minutes. Life doesn't get any better than this. With a slight smile, I remember all the responses we got when we announced our engagement. Everyone was ecstatic—I thought poor Harriet was going to hyperventilate she was so happy. And of course, they all felt it was their duty to point out that it was about time.
The music's beginning. Standing a little taller, I wait for my first sight of her. She'll be walking alone today. I remember what she said about that. "Harm, I'm over 40 and I've been through 1.5 weddings. I don't need someone to give me away, and I'd feel pretty silly about it." Then I see her, and I remember nothing.
She's a vision. Her simple white gown fits her like a glove, the satin glistening in the candlelight. It's her eyes that hold my attention though. Her eyes have always held the key to her heart, and today they mirror the love and excitement I feel as she approaches me. Placing her hand in mine, we turn to face the minister.
I have to admit I'm really not paying attention to a word he's saying. I'm focused solely on this woman by my side and all she means to me. However, when she pokes me in the side, I realize it's my turn to talk. "I do," I reply to the laughter of our friends. And then she echoes my words, a hint of laughter in her voice as well. That's fine, I don't care if the whole world laughs at me today.
"Harmon and Sarah have chosen to write their own vows," the minister announces and all attention is again focused on me. This time I know what I'm supposed to say though.
"Sarah, I can never tell you how much I love you, there simply aren't enough words. However, I can promise to show you each and every day for the rest of our lives. I will show you in simple actions, like doing the dishes and picking up milk on the way home from work. I will also show you in larger actions, such as taking you out on special days and being there when you need me. I promise that for the rest of my life, I will not let a single day go by without letting you know how much I love you, respect you, and adore you. You are my life."
I can see the tears shimmering in her eyes, and before I can stop myself, my fingertips are brushing them away. She leans slightly into my gentle caress and then begins to speak.
"Harm, I love you, but I can promise you that we will fight. Always before I have run from personal conflict in my life—if not physically, then I withdrew emotionally. In marrying you, I am promising that I will not do that. You are my rock, the one that I can count on when things get rough, and I promise to trust you, love you, and cherish you and only you for the rest of our lives."
Now I'm the one with tears in my eyes, but the minister is saying it's time for the rings. Placing the ring on her finger, I slide it up to join the engagement ring and say, "With this ring, I thee wed, with this body, I thee worship, and all my worldly goods I thee endow." Then she takes my hand in hers and I feel the coolness of my wedding band slide onto my finger and there's a sudden roaring in my ears.. I look into her eyes and I see her lips move, but I can't hear the words.
Then the moment is over and I hear the minister say, "I now pronounce you husband and wife… you may kiss the bride." I'm glad I didn't miss that, or my friends really would have laughed, I think to myself as I place my lips on hers. Then all thought ceases and everyone disappears, and it's just her and I. Finally I register Bud's embarrassed muttering behind me, and I cut the kiss short. Taking her by the arm, I face the crowd and the minister says, "It is my pleasure to present to you for the very first time, Captain and Mrs. Harmon Rabb, Jr."
Epilogue
The reception went by in a blur. Just before they left, Grandma Sarah took Sarah aside and pressed something into her hand. Looking down, Mac smiled slightly. It was the letter. "So you remember the story of how your love began," Gram said and gave her a hug.
Harm and Mac both kept their vows to each other. He went out of his way each day to show her his love, and on days when life got in the way, she didn't withdraw. They had two more children, plus Bethy of course, and died within days of each other after 55 years of marriage. Their friends and family saw to it that they were buried under a joint tombstone which simply stated, "They never forgot."