“I truly can’t think of another occasion that is not only monumental for the wedded-couple-to-be, but for all of us who are lucky enough to know and love them as individuals.”
I smile at my friend. Gage is knocking this out of the park.
“While their story is unique, the kind of love they share is timeless.”
That’s so true. I mean, we met on a video chat app. And it was a wrong number at that.
“While their relationship has been rather nontraditional, it doesn’t matter. I could tell the first time I saw them together that they were meant for each other.”
I hear a few people make that “aw” sound. I guess it was kind of adorable for Gage to say that.
“Even Cooke’s proposal was unique…”
Oh, he’s right. But it was perfect for us. The first time he proposed was the day before he was due to get his brace off his leg. He even gave me a beautiful ring to seal the deal. But because Cooke is Cooke, he felt he needed to do it again. “For real this time.” So, he did it via FaceChat. It was so sweet and unexpected, I mean, he’d already popped the question once. Heck I was still wearing the gorgeous sapphire, but because he was in London and I was in Ames finishing up my degree, he made it happen that way. He got my friends involved. Heck, they knew before I did what he was up to. Tayler had the ridiculously ginormous diamond ring, so when he popped the question, she was there, holding the little box open in front of me. As soon as I said, “Yes!” the rest of the Beedle Babes came out of Tayler’s bedroom with fake champagne since I had just found out I was pregnant. It was awesome.
“…proposing over FaceChat, the same way they met.”
Several chuckles come from the group behind us.
“The most remarkable moment in life is when you meet the person who makes you feel complete. The person who makes the world a beautiful and magical place. The person with whom you share a bond so special that it transcends normal relationships and becomes something so pure and so wonderful that you can’t imagine spending another day of your life without them.”
Oh crud. I’m going to cry.
“For Quinn and Cooke, that happened two years ago. To the day.” He looks at the two of us. “Right?”
“Yep,” I say and smile up at Cooke.
“Before we do the official vows, Cooke and Quinn have written their own. They’d like to read those now.”
Oh my gosh. I’m so nervous.
Gage looks at me.
I guess I’m going first.
Turning, I hold my hand out, and Tayler slides the piece of paper into my palm. Unfolding it, I do my best to get my heart under control.Here goes nothing.
Looking up at Cooke, I say, “You look hot in your tuxedo.”
Yes, that was my opening line. I didn’t need to actually see him in his wedding attire to know he’d look good. Our guests must think it’s a funny way to start, because they laugh. Good. That was the plan.
“Thank you,” he replies with a chuckle. But then he gets serious when he adds, “You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
The audience releases a loud collective “Aw” this time.
Doing my best to get back on track, I look down at my paper and read. “I couldn’t believe you’d love me.”
Sure, I know that’s a weird thing to say, but I felt it was important to speak my truth. I hear a few mutters around me but keep going. “But then I remembered how awesome I was and decided it makes total sense.”
Cue more laughs––including Cooke. Yay!
It’s time to get serious.
“It wasn’t easy with you living so far away, but everything we went through was worth it, because now I have you and we have Harper.”
She must’ve heard her own name, because at that exact moment, the little squawk from earlier has just turned into a big one. A crying one.
Before I can do a thing, Cooke holds up a finger, jogs down the two steps from the small stage we’ve set up for the ceremony, and plucks Harper out of Caroline’s arms. Bringing her back up onto the stage, he says to me, “It’s fitting she’s with us, don’t you think?”
