The Man of My Dreams

March 2, 1996, I was getting ready to walk down the aisle to the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. My beautiful Mom was holding my arm. As the bridal march began to play, she looked at me and said (wait for it)...”Is that gum?!! Give it,” as she held out her tissued palm. (Remember how I told you I hate bad breath?)

So, there we stood waiting for the doors to open so I could make my grand entrance into the sanctuary. All of a sudden, my little sister-in-law bolts through the doors back to me. She was frantic, “Do I have to throw the petals?!” I assured her that it would be okay, to just walk up on the stage and I'd be right behind her. My Mom and I laughed so hard.

When I finally got to be on the platform with My Love, the ceremony seemed to last forever. Pastor David James was the officiant and he made sure a Scriptural explanation of marriage was given so all in attendance understood that the relationship between a husband and wife represents the mystery of Christ and the church.

After the lighting of the unity candle we decided to do something different. We each took a long stemmed rose and presented it to our soon to be mother-in-law. It was a sweet expression of our appreciation for how they raised our spouse.

Then...the moment we'd been waiting for: the kiss! Pastor James said the famous line, “You may now kiss your bride,” and My Sweet Baboo stood there. He didn't even move. Talk about awkward. The guests started to giggle and I quietly asked, “What are you doing?” He put his hand to his chin and said, “Just a minute, I'm trying to figure this out.”

Now, not only had I just been through a lengthy ceremony, but now everyone is staring, and my groom is trying to figure out how to kiss me?? Then I remembered, at some point in the wedding planning process, I made mention that it would be neat if I were dipped romantically when kissed. And then the light bulb clicked, he grabbed me, threw me back, and planted a big kiss on me all of a sudden! Then the guests roared and cheered. It was momentous.

Today and every day, I love my husband more and more. Happy Anniversary, Boo!

Zoe