Let Me Call You Sweetheart Chapter 7, Page 76
Dee and Nathan's Wedding!
Dee was such a beautiful bride. Her dress was all she had hoped it would be. Fiona had created a lovely hairdo with her golden hair. She had her mother's dainty earrings for her something old, a blue garter for something blue and new. Her silver white heels from their engagement party went perfectly with her dress. Dorothy lent her perfume so now every little tradition was in place. She was as ready and excited as never before. When Henry picked her up in his automobile, she was grinning from ear to ear. He told her all her family was waiting for her in the church and very anxious to see her. When she arrived, her mother was crying in admiration of how marvelous her daughter looked. The two hugged and then George walked Bertie and his two children to their pew in front on the left.
Nathan was breathtakingly handsome in his suit. With his thick dark hair and gorgeous blue eyes, he looked extremely attractive. Allie was delightful in her soft pink Maid of Honor dress with her rose wrist corsage, and Emily looked charming in her new dress accented with her rose corsage. Lee had given the Grant family a ride to the church and would meet his father there who was anxiously waiting to see them. When Archie saw Nathan his face lit up and he thanked Nathan for making him so proud, then he walked Emily to their pew in front on the right side. Nathan walked with Bill and Walter to the front of the church.
As everyone were being seated in the pews, Molly was singing "A Rose, A Kiss, and You". Rosemary was waiting with Paul with the rings and Opal with the flowers in a basket. They looked absolutely adorable.
As soon as Angela started to play Wagner's Bridal Chorus – Here Comes the Bride processional, Rosemary whispered to the children to start down the aisle with Opal dropping rose petals and Paul carrying the rings a few steps behind her. Rosemary handed Dee her rose bouquet and then walked along the side to sit by Lee. Following the children, Allie smiled and followed as her dad watched her and gave her a wink and a nod. Dorothy, the proud and pretty sister in her red dress followed and last, Ted with misty eyes, led his little Chickadee, down the aisle to bring her to the new man in her life. When Nathan and Dee met eachother's gaze, her face brightened, and his whole face lit up. Dee surrendered her bouquet to Dorothy and winked at Allie. Ted tenderly kissed his daughter and held her small hand to place in Nathan's warm hand as Nathan and Dee stepped up to stand in front of Pastor Joseph.
When the music stopped, Pastor Joseph began the ceremony welcoming everyone
"Welcome to all who have gathered here this day to share in this marriage ceremony of Mary Grace and Nathan. These words, spoken today between them are indeed important and sacred, but they are not what joins these two together, nor is this marriage ceremony. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but to acknowledge and celebrate a lasting bond that already exists between them. Mary Grace and Nathan have already joined their hearts together and chosen to walk together on life's journey, and we have come to bear witness to their affirmation of the love they share. Everyone gathered here today was invited to this ceremony because you have played a special role in their lives. You are present at this ceremony to celebrate their marriage and to witness their vows of love to one another."
Pastor Joseph then began with a reading from Genesis 2:18-24
The Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him a helpmate.' So from the soil the Lord God fashioned all the wild beasts and all the birds of heaven. These he brought to the man to see what he would call them; each one was to bear the name the man would give it. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of heaven and all the wild beasts. But no helpmate suitable for man was found for him. So the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep. And while he slept, he took one of his ribs and enclosed it in flesh. The Lord God built the rib he had taken from the man into a woman, and brought her to the man. The man exclaimed:
'This at last is bone from my bones,
and flesh from my flesh!
This is to be called woman,
for this was taken from man.'
This is why a man leaves his father and mother and joins himself to his wife, and they become one body.
As he finished, Nathan squeezed Dee's hand and looked at her tenderly and Dee's eyes softened as they smiled together.
Joseph looked at the couple, "Mary Grace and Nathan, have you come here today with the intention to be legally joined in marriage? Do you pledge to choose respect, kindness, and compassion toward one another, to listen deeply to one other, and to speak to one another truthfully, today and always?"
Dee and Nathan answered emphatically, "We do!"
Nathan turned to Dee and as he took in the sight of his radiant bride, his eyes twinkled as his words blazed with love, "Dee, You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant, and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible… You have made me a better person, as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together."
Dee eyes sparkled, as her words sparked from her heart, "Nathan, I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes you unique and wonderful. I promise to nurture your dreams, because through them your soul shines. I promise to help shoulder our challenges, For there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together. I get to laugh with you and cry with you; care for you and share with you. I get to run with you and walk with you; build with you and live with you You are my best friend and one true love. Lastly, I promise you perfect love and perfect trust, for one lifetime with you could never be enough. But most of all, I love you."
Then Pastor Joseph asked, "May I have the rings please?"
Little Paul walked up with the rings and ran back to Rosemary and Lee quite pleased with himself.
Pastor Joseph continued, "Wedding rings are symbolic reminders of the unbroken circle of eternal love. Within the safety and comfort of a true marriage, love given freely has no beginning and no end. Each of you gives your love to the other, and each of you receives love from the other. May these rings serve to remind you of the freedom and power of your love."
Dee, took in a deep breath and with tears shimmering in her eyes, placed the ring on Nathan's finger, repeated after Pastor Joseph, as Nathan extended his hand, "With this ring, I give you my promise, to honor you, to be faithful to you, and to share my love and life with you, in all ways, forever."Pastor Joseph, as Nathan extended his hand,"With this ring, I give you my promise, to honor you, to be faithful to you, and to share my love and life with you, in all ways, forever."
Nathan, with his breaths quickening and his eyes glistening, placed the ring on Dee's finger, repeated after Pastor Joseph,as Dee held out her hand "With this ring, I give you my promise, to honor you, to be faithful to you, and to share my love and life with you, in all ways, forever."
And now, Pastor Joseph said, "having entered into the covenant of marriage by the exchanging of vows and the giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now seal these vows with a kiss!"
Nathan drew closer to Dee and gave her a long, lingering, kiss as they melted together.
Pastor Joseph announced "It is my great pleasure to introduce, "Constable and Mrs. Nathan Grant!"
With that the congregation celebrated with loud applause and the bells were ringing loudly in melodious congratulations!
