Mitch glanced at Megs to see if his words made her cringe, but she only smiled.
Kurt went on. “Usually, when I officiate a wedding, some part of me wonders about the couple’s future. Will they be faithful to each other? Will they work together to overcome life’s challenges? Will their marriage last beyond the honeymoon? This time, I don’t have to worry about any of that. Mitch and Megs have proven their love for one another and for their community over and over again.”
Laughter and cheers.
“My father, Dean Calder, was their best friend. He often talked about the two of them and their climbing exploits. He also told me about their integrity and the support they gave other climbers. ‘They’re not just great climbers,’ he said. ‘They’re great people.’ After my father’s death, Mitch and Megs showed the world who they truly were by turning tragedy into hope and creating the Rocky Mountain Search and Rescue Team. Their selfless decision to leave professional climbing and focus on rescue work has saved hundreds of lives.”
Cheers and applause.
“But today is a celebration of their love for one another—a love I witnessed in the ICU as Mitch clung to life last fall. Megs responded with a strength that is only borne of deep love. It was Mitch’s love for Megs that helped him hang on through his coma and through months of challenging rehab. Megs and Mitch, to officiate your wedding as Dean’s son is a great honor.”
That hit Mitch in the chest, putting a lump in his throat—which was super inconvenient because it was about time for their vows.
“Mitch and Megs have written vows they’d like to recite to one another. If the two of you would please join hands…”
Megs handed her bouquet to Gridwall, which made people laugh, and she and Mitch held hands.
Mitch swallowed—hard—and looked into Megs’ beautiful eyes. “Megs, you came into my life like a sunrise, and everything changed. Because of you, I have touched the sky. You’ve been my muse, my North Star, and my greatest joy. Today, I take you as my wife, to love and to cherish, to comfort and to protect until my last breath.”
Tears welled in Megs’ eyes, but her smile was all happiness.
Now it was her turn.
“Mitch, you and I have shared a thousand adventures, but the greatest adventure of my life has been living by your side. You’ve taught me everything I know about love, selflessness, and devotion. You gave me wings and helped me fly. Today, I take you as my husband, to love and to cherish, to comfort and to protect until my last breath.”
Then Kurt spoke. “The two of you have chosen to exchange rings as symbols of your love for one another and to seal the vows you’ve made today.”
Mitch turned to Accardo, who handed him Megs’ wedding band, gold glinting in the sunshine. He slid the ring onto her finger. “With this ring, I offer you all that I am and all that I ever will be. Accept it as my gift and a symbol of my undying love.”
Megs looked at the rings on her finger—the engagement solitaire and the gold band—then met Mitch’s gaze, her eyes bright with tears. She turned to Gridwall, who had to search a couple of pockets before finding Mitch’s wedding band, making everyone laugh once again, lightening the mood.
Megs took the ring, slid it onto Mitch’s finger, and repeated the vow, her voice strong and clear. “With this ring, I offer you all that I am and all that I ever will be. Accept it as my gift and a token of my undying love.”
Kurt opened his Bible, took out a piece of paper. “Mitch and Megs have asked me to read this poem, which holds great significance for them.
“Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving…”
As Kurt finished the Kahlil Gibran poem that Mitch had read to Megs the night they’d first had sex, Mitch’s heartwaswinged. Because of her, Mitch finally understood the meaning of Gibran’s profound words.
When Kurt had finished, he concluded the ceremony by pronouncing them husband and wife. “You may kiss the bride.”
To cheers and applause, Mitch drew Megs into his arms and kissed her.
Then Gridwall swept the two of them into an unscripted hug, tears spilling down his grizzled cheeks, bridal bouquet still in hand. “I love you, man!”
Megs satbeside Mitch at the Team table, both of them buzzed on champagne, the two of them watching as Sasha and Gridwall took turns belaying each other on the climbing wall. “Sasha is enjoying herself.”
Mitch squeezed Megs’ hand. “So is Gridwall. He told me that Sasha reminds him of you when you were that age.”
“No. She’s a lot more cheerful than I ever was, and she’s a better climber.” Megs didn’t mind admitting it. She’d left her ego behind a long time ago.
Mitch looked down at her, a frown on his face. “Hey, Sasha stands onyourshoulders. Before she and the rest of these youngsters came along, you were up there, figuring out how it works. You did things that people said were impossible. It takes guts to be the first.”
She laughed. “Says the guy who was up there with me.”
They’d accepted Joe and Rain’s invitation to hold their reception at Knockers with the strict understanding that no one was to bring gifts—except for tax-deductible donations to the Team, of course. The Mudbugs had already played a couple of sets, and Megs and Mitch had done the obligatory first dance. The only thing left to do was to toss the bouquet and head home. But Megs wasn’t in a hurry.
At the other end of the table, Kurt was having an animated discussion about something with Accardo, Hawke, Taylor, and Lexi, little Kit now six months old. Joe and Marcia worked the bar, while Rain helped Sam, Cheyenne, and Lark wait tables. Bear sat at his favorite table, enjoying a plate of fried chicken with a tall glass of milk. Vicki had popped out of the kitchen a few times to talk with Hawke, who was holding Mollie, their toddler. Caden, now in preschool, sat beside his father in a booster seat, making a grand mess with French fries and ketchup.
