“Okay, one final touch,” Jobe pulled a pretty white rose from a box and pinned it on my vest. “There, now do mine, but no poking.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. “Fair is fair,” though I hadn’t planned on poking him like he did to me all the time.
We were meeting the wedding photographer for our before photos, he was doing both our daddies and Mom, Dad, and Karlie right now, then after the ceremony, he was taking a whole bunch more of the family together.
“Knock, knock,” Isla called out as she poked her head inside, “photo time, gentlemen. Don’t you two look handsome.”
“Thank you, Isla. We’re ready,” Jobe informed her.
She led us down to a private room with a gorgeous view of the beach and ocean beyond it. We posed for more pictures than I have in my entire life, but Jobe kept saying ‘one more’ and telling me how to pose.
Mom and Dad were walking us down the aisle and they came in just as we finished up.
“Look at how handsome you two are,” Mom said before she hugged us. “Nick and I are so proud to be a part of this day. Thank you for allowing us to be.”
“Don’t make me cry,” I dabbed at my eyes. “There’s no way we were getting married without you guys here. I’d have put up a big fight if Daddy said no.” Not that he would have.
The four of us walked out onto the patio and around the corner from where Daddy and Daddy Stanley waited beneath the pergola. As soon as the music started, Mom wrapped her armaround mine and Nick did the same with Jobe, and they led us out to the pathway in the sand and walked us down the aisle to our soon-to-be husbands.
I tried to be good, but as soon as I saw how handsome my Daddy looked, the tears hit and I squealed, “Daddy!” The officiant and Daddy Stanley laughed, but Jobe fussed. Too bad, that’s my Daddy and I’ll squeal if I want to.
Why did that sound like a familiar song to me?
As soon as we got to the front the officiant asked, “And who gives these gentlemen away today?”
“We do,” Mom and Dad said, then kissed our cheeks, and placed our hands in our Daddy’s.
Daddy and I stood to her left while Jobe and Daddy Stanley were on her right. There were no chairs, so Mom, Dad, and Karlie stood in the center facing us.
“Today I am honored to be a part of this joyous ceremony, uniting the lives of Stanley and Jobe, and Crispin and Beck. The heart of the commitment they’re about to make is one of faith, commitment, prosperity, and above all love. Gentlemen, please turn and face your partners.”
As soon as Daddy’s eyes met mine the water works hit again.
“Do you, Stanley, take Jobe to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and cherish until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Jobe, take Stanley to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and cherish until death do you part?”
“I do.”
She turned toward us and my legs got all wobbly, but Daddy was there to hold me up.
“Do you, Crispin, take Beck to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and cherish until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Beck, take Crispin to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor and cherish until death do you part?”
“I do.”
“By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husbands. Gentlemen, you may kiss your husband.”
Daddy took me in such a fierce kiss I squealed and heard Mom and Dad laugh. Daddy Stanley tipped Jobe back and laid a movie-worthy kiss on him. Our family clapped, Dad whistled, and Karlie hooted and hollered.
The four of us put our ring hands together for the photographer, then each couple took their own photo. I couldn’t wait to see that picture hung on our wall. I mean, how dreamy was this? The sun was shining, the ocean was the perfect backdrop for the photos, and not only did I marry the only man who ever had my heart, but I did it with my best friend, and our family by our side.
Best. Day. Ever.
