Stephanie POV
I found myself in the familiar bedroom I always stayed in whenever I visited Mrs. Williams' home. As I gazed out of the window, memories of my childhood, spent with Trey and our friends, came rushing back, a tapestry of joyous moments interwoven with our adventures.
But then, more recent memories surfaced-memories of the past few months I had spent with Trey.
After a soothing bath with coconut rose body shower gel and a generous application of coconut rose body butter, I headed into the room where the makeup artist awaited. Dime, dressed elegantly in her purple spaghetti dress, placed my own dress gently on the bed. With skilled hands, she removed the pins from my hair, a lush, kinky curl black sew-in. I adorned myself with diamond studs, opting to forgo a necklace, knowing my dress already boasted all the necessary accessories.
Dime assisted me into my dress, which fit me impeccably. "You look stunning," she exclaimed, and I couldn't help but smile. Mrs. Williams entered the room, holding a veil, and gazed at me in astonishment. "You are a true beauty, and I'm overjoyed that you're officially my daughter, though you've always felt like one," she said, causing tears to well up in my eyes. Dime promptly handed me a Kleenex to dab away the emotion.
I wanted to express my gratitude to both of them for helping plan this wedding and for their unwavering love. I handed them each a gift-a box containing a baby top that read "My Godmom is the best" for Dime and a baby blanket with the words "Grandma's baby" for Mrs. Williams. Their surprised and joy-filled reactions led to a heartfelt group hug.
Mrs. Williams then surprised me with a meaningful gift-a pearl bracelet, something borrowed, with a rich family history. She also presented me with something blue, a hair clip given to her by her husband on their wedding day.
Dime followed suit with a lovely gift, something new-a pair of white and lilac sandals. I expressed my gratitude with a warm embrace, feeling incredibly blessed to have these women in my life.
As I descended the stairs to walk down the aisle, a cherished childhood memory resurfaced-a moment by the swing when Trey had declared he would marry me, bringing a smile to my face.
I walked down the aisle with my dad, who looked dapper in his cream suit, white shirt, and purple bowtie. "Baby girl, I'm so proud of you," he whispered, and I couldn't have been happier to have him by my side. I shared a secret with him, revealing that he was soon to become a grandpa. His excitement was palpable, and we shared a heartfelt hug.
"Ready?" he asked, and I nodded. Together, we walked down the aisle, the garden adorned with white roses and purple lilies. The aisle featured white marble stones with purple marbles atop a white carpet, leading me to the man of my dreams, resplendent in his gray suit, white shirt, and purple tie. Our eyes locked, and in that moment, with the afternoon sun casting a warm glow, I could only see a future filled with happiness with him.
Trey POV
I couldn't help but gaze in awe at the woman of my dreams as she gracefully descended the aisle. There were no worries, no doubts-just pure happiness coursing through me. She looked like a princess straight out of a Disney movie, and the most incredible part was that she was mine. As she approached her dad, he kissed her cheeks and then shook my hand, placing her delicate hands in mine.
The pastor commenced the matrimonial ceremony, his words carrying the weight of love and the wisdom found in the Bible. We listened intently, hanging on to every word, fully aware of the significance of this moment.
Then came the pivotal question, "Who gives this woman away?" Her dad stood with a resounding "Yes."
"Now, for the vows, the couple has decided to say their own," the pastor announced.
He gestured to Stephanie, and she began, her voice filled with emotion, "Where to begin? I've always considered us as friends and nothing more. You allowed me to be myself, even when I was at my lowest, even when I pushed you away. The day I realized I loved you-it was shocking. Figuring out how to navigate that after being friends for so long... But being the person you are, you told me that you were in it for the long haul, and that shouldn't have surprised me. Because when we were just five years old, you told me we were getting married right over that swing." She pointed to the swing, and I couldn't contain my excitement, shouting, "You remembered!" The guests chuckled, and she continued, tears running down our cheeks. "Well, I didn't remember until I was about to walk down the aisle. I assure you, I'll be there for you as you've been for me-loving and supporting you through all our dreams."
"Stephanie, you are an amazing woman, and yes, at the age of five, I realized you were the one for me when I fell, and you hurriedly ran over to my aid, helping me. You stayed by my side that day, despite it being a simple cut, you took care of me. Your love for others and what you've overcome is a testament to the incredible woman you are.
Even after confessing my love to you and receiving your cryptic response, "Don't take it personally," I'm glad I never took it to heart. And here we stand today," I said, causing Stephanie to chuckle.I promise to love you in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do us part," I declared, our hands firmly held together.
The pastor concluded the ceremony with the words, "I now present to you Mr. & Mrs. Williams. You may kiss the bride." And kiss her I did, with a passion that echoed the depth of our love.
The Reception
Trey POV
The magical evening unfolded seamlessly. With our wedding pictures captured, our dedicated team swiftly transformed the venue for the reception. The same chairs and tables, elegantly arranged, welcomed our guests, who were enticed by the delightful fruit bar and refreshing coconut water station.
Stephanie, my stunning bride, disappeared briefly and reemerged in a dress that accentuated her curves, featuring an enchanting frill at the waist. She radiated beauty and elegance, as she always does.
The evening's festivities commenced with the playful shoe game, skillfully hosted by our Master of Ceremonies, Blacks. Following this light-hearted start, we indulged in a delectable dinner, setting the stage for the heartwarming daddy-daughter dance between Stephanie and her father.
Then, it was our turn. Stephanie and I took to the dance floor for our first dance as a married couple, a moment that felt nothing short of enchanting. Holding my queen in my arms, the world melted away as we swayed to the music. Soon, our guests joined in, filling the dance floor with joy.
As the night progressed, the atmosphere was further elevated by the soft glow of pepper lights, twinkle lights, and lanterns, which illuminated each step of our dance and made the evening truly magical.
Stephanie POV
Amidst the whirlwind of festivities, I took a moment to rest my tired feet, sinking into the chair. All around me, everyone was caught up in the euphoria of the celebration. It was a surreal feeling, embracing my new identity as Mrs. Williams, Trey's wife.
Watching Trey gracefully dance with his mother was a heartwarming sight. It reminded me of the deep bonds we were forging with our families.
Then, my father, perceptive as ever, sat beside me and gently broke the silence. "Penny for your thoughts," he said, pulling me out of my reverie.
"Hey, Dad," I replied, holding his hand affectionately. "I'm just overwhelmed with happiness, not just from experiencing love but truly feeling it."
With a smile, he squeezed my hand and offered his words of love and encouragement. "You deserve all the happiness, baby girl."
His words touched my heart, and we clasped our hands tighter together. He continued, "Stephanie, I recently expressed how proud I am of you, but I also want you to be proud of yourself. You've overcome challenges that many are still trying to figure out. Remember, I'll always be here when you need me." With a tender kiss on my temple, he walked over to Uncle Devon Black's dad.
As I reflected on my father's words, they resonated deeply within me. I was proud of myself, having defied the odds. And thanks to my husband's support, I had sought therapy and continued to do so, arming myself to navigate whatever challenges lay ahead with resilience and strength.