A Step Forward

The day I have dreamed about is here.

In just a few short hours, I will be walking down that isle and I will become your wife. I have dreamed of this day since I was a little girl. The dress, the flowers and even imagined who would be my prince. The man that I would marry and spend the rest of my life with. Now I stand in front of the long mirror, thinking about you and the future we will soon have together.

My girls are surrounding me, Brenda is holding my flowers, Maxie is ready with the makeup that is definitely going to have to be touched up, Liz is waiting with my veil, Emily has the camera, and Georgie has begun passing out the tissues.

I just imagine you with all the guys in your groom's room, laughing and joking. I see you sitting around the TV sucking down a cold bottle of beer pushing off getting dressed until the very last minute. That's what you do; part of the reason why you set your alarm clock to go off so many times. It means you can lie in bed "longer," or at the very least it seems that way.

There are so many small things that you do that I love. The alarm clock thing being only one. I love it when you make the bed in the morning or have a warm shower running, waiting for me. The simple things. And then there are the big things like breakfast in bed and when you have my meds and a glass of water waiting on the bedside table for me when I wake up. Just so I can get that tiniest bit of extra sleep in before I start my day. Of course, with the things I love, comes the things that I hate. There are the basics that every man seems to be incapable of comprehending like lifting and putting the toilet seat back down, putting the new roll of toilet paper on the toilet paper roll, and how you dirty up a different dish for every little thing whether it is breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But all of these habits are what make you, you. All reasons that I can say I love you.

My mom walks in the room, tears already shining. Followed closely by my dad who I would swear had tears in his eyes as well. Today is their day as much as it is mine. They have waited just as long as I have for that walk down the isle. My mom places a kiss on my cheek and cradles my face in her hands, while my dad stands in the background watching his girls closely. When he steps up and takes my hand and kisses my check, my own tears pool and I'm losing a battle within myself.

We hear the music beginning in the background signaling that it's time to make our way to the lobby, behind the doors. The time is approaching. Soon I will be Mrs. Dr. Patrick Drake.

Maxie, Georgie, Emily, Liz, and Brenda line up and start their descent down the very isle that I will be walking down in minutes. I know you are standing at the end of that isle waiting impatiently. Patience never really was your strong suit but at this moment it isn't really mine either. The doors closely tightly as Brenda walks.

This is it. Here it is. The time has come.

I look from one man on my arm to the other. Uncle Mac and my dad, two of the most important men in the life. No longer the most important. That position will soon belong to you. The two strong men look at me, their eyes so full of pride and love. These are the last few moments that I will be their little girl, the last few moments that I belong to them and only them.

The emotions start to bowl over. The anticipation, the excitement, the sadness, the joy. I'm saying goodbye to one life and starting another. It's the beginning of a whole new adventure. An adventure that you and me will fight through together.

The doors open and my breathe catches at the sight of you. You look so handsome in your tux with your father at your side. I see your eyes shining with tears but I also see your perfected smirk and that beautiful dimple.

I'm ready.

I glance at the two men on my arms, they nod and both take a deep breathe. It's our turn and we take that first step.

Where this road will take us from here we aren't certain. I just take that step forward, seeing you standing there waiting for me and I'm not scared. As long as I have you at my side, I can make it through anything.