Our Big Day

She could do this… She knew that she could do this. Gulping hard, she stood, waiting her turn to move, the bouquet she held, squeezed between one of her hands like a death grip, the other clutched desperately at her father's arm. The last of her bridesmaids had just walked out, and soon after, the little flower girl trailed a few paces behind them, tossing flower petals precariously to the floor.

The soft melody of pianos and violins and flutes grew louder, announcing her arrival, but her feet were nailed to the floor, and she was frozen in place. She couldn't hear anything after a moment, not the music, not the voices behind her, nothing but the beating of her rapid heart in her ears. The blood rose up quickly to her head, pooling in her cheeks, and turning them a dark crimson. Suddenly, she was feeling very lightheaded and she thought she might faint in that very spot.

She'd zoned out, staring at the double doors like a deer caught in headlights. Finally, her father gave her arm a light tug, breaking her out of whatever trance she was in.

"Schat, ben je in orde?" He'd whispered to her, to which she gave a slightly uneasy nod. "J-ja…"

"Come on, Katjaa. You were supposed to be walking down the aisle already!" The wedding planner she'd hired prompted in a hushed tone, moving back to the double doors to open them for the blonde.

With a light nod, Katjaa took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, adjusting the bouquet in her hand.

"Ready?" the wedding planner asked after a few seconds.

"Ready…"

"Okay, annnddd….go."

The doors were pushed open, and the blonde's father placed his free hand gently over the one she had wrapped around his arm, trying to calm her nerves. She looked to him, smiling softly, and tried as best she could to shove the nervousness in her gut to the side. Then, she took her first step forward, soon walking in unison with her father.

"Laat me niet vallen, pap." She whispered as subtly as she could, while still trying to smile and not look as nauseous as she felt.

"Ik wil niet."

The aisle seemed to go on forever, and Katjaa felt like no matter how far she walked, Kenny only seemed to get further and further away.

That's why it surprised her when the next thing she knew, her father was handing her over to Kenny. It was almost like she'd just blinked and then here they were.

As she studied Kenny's face, she saw, even through his happiness, that he was just as nervous as she was. It relieved her a little bit, but then, the thought that she was about to commit to this man, and spend the rest of her life with him made the butterflies in her stomach start fluttering around again.

"You look so beautiful," Kenny murmured quietly as he looked down at her.

"And you look very handsome," she'd whispered back, as the music finally died down and the minister began to speak.

The ceremony drew on, both Katjaa and Kenny repeating after the man when needed, and then finally:

"Do you, Kenneth, take Katjaa to be your wife – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live? "

"I do."

"Do you Katjaa take Kenneth to be your husband – to live together after God's ordinance – in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"What token of your love do you offer? Would you place the rings in my hand?" Thus, the ring barer handed them over.

"May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity. These two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go – may they always return to one another. May these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May the home which they establish together be filled with the same love, passion, and understanding."

Upon handing the rings to Katjaa and Kenny, the two exchanged them, both murmuring one right after the other:

"With this ring, I wed thee."

Followed by a few more finishing words from the minister, he finally said, "you may kiss the bride."

Suddenly, all of the nervousness vanished as their lips met, and the biggest, and quite possibly stupidest looking smiles formed on both of their lips as they pulled away. The music started up again, and numerous cheers, cries, and applauds came from their families and friends.

If Katjaa had to pick one of her most favorite moments in her life, marrying Kenny was definitely one of them.

{ Translations in order: "Honey, are you okay?"

"Y-yes."

"Don't let me fall, Dad."

"I won't." }