Present
Standing in front of the floor length mirror, I twist from side to side, taking in my reflection. I hardly recognize the woman standing before me.
Looking back, I think of all the battles I’ve fought. Some that left me broken and shattered.
Hopeless.
But love saved me. Love mended the pieces of my soul and brought me back to life.
Love gave me hope.
“You look beautiful, Mama!” Caroline says, standing next to me in her pretty lavender dress.
“Thank you, baby. So do you.”
“You ready?” Rachel asks, and I nod, tears pricking my eyes.
She gives me a hug then I lean down and embrace my daughter. Her tiny arms wrap around my neck before she pulls away, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I love you, Mama.”
“Love you too, sweet girl.”
“Come on, Caroline. Let’s go get your grandpa and tell him your mama is ready.”
Once they leave the room, I reach for a Kleenex and dab the corners of my eyes.
There’s a knock at the door. “Come in,” I answer, thinking it’s my father but Linc enters the room.
“Linc! It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.”
He smiles.
The smile he always saves just for me. The smile that lets me know he’s mine forever. “I think we’ve already met our quota in bad luck.”
He’s right about that.
“Jesus, you look fuckin’ gorgeous. Are you sure I’m in the right room? There’s no way the good Lord blessed me with someone as beautiful as you.”
I laugh, even though I’m on the verge of tears. I can’t believe this moment is happening. That I get to spend my life with this man.
My best friend.
My everything.
He loved me at my best. At my worst, and even when I didn’t love myself. A love like this only comes along once in a lifetime. It might not be perfect but it’s ours.
“You don’t look half bad yourself.”
He’s devastatingly handsome in his khakis, white collared shirt, navy tie and suspenders. That smile he only reserves for me eats up his scruffy face. One hand behind his back, he walks closer until he’s standing in front of me. “I wanted to give you something before we start this forever thing.”
I laugh and he reveals a small, baby blue box with a white bow, he lifts my hand to place it in my palm then kisses my lips.
Tender.
Soft.
Like a cool summer breeze.
It leaves me breathless by the time he pulls away, long enough for me to open the box. Black and white diamonds sparkle, curling around one another to make the shape of a treble clef.
