The tears threatened to choke me. How would my mother feel if she knew my father couldn’t be with me today, and I had to read not just her letter, but his too?
Raising you, having the opportunity to love you was the greatest privilege of my life. I was proud of you every day. The boy you were and the man I was watching you become. I hope you’re able to know the joy of being a parent too, son. There is nothing quite like it.
I considered my lost opportunities, but I couldn’t be sorry I hadn’t been blessed with the chance to be a father yet. I had to believe my day was coming, this time with the right woman.
I hope you’re marrying your best friend today, just like I did. I hope she’ll love you, and be grateful every day for what you two have found together. Because if I learned one thing, it’s that every day is a gift to be treasured because we never know when we’re going to be called home.
So don’t waste a moment with your bride. Tell her how much you love her. Show her. Never let her question you or doubt your feelings for her. Be the man she can count on. And treat her with the same respect you always showed me.
You’re a son any mother would be proud of and I’m so glad I was able to call you mine.
Always With You,
Mom
I was trying like hell to hold it together, since the ceremony was in a few minutes, but knowing I had to read my dad’s letter right after my mom’s didn’t make it easy. I didn’t want to show up for my beautiful bride looking like I’d been on a three-day bender, so I took a few deep breaths, and with shaking hands opened the second sheet of folded paper. It was crisper, newer, making me wish my dad could have held on long enough to deliver these words to me in person today.
Joel,
If you’re reading this letter it means you finally came to your senses and asked the girl of your dreams to marry you. Every time you asked me about Gia I heard it in your voice, how much she meant to you. I prayed for you. For both of you, that you would find a way to be together. Because every time she asked me about you, I heard every word she was afraid to say to you. That girl has loved you almost as long as you’ve loved her, son. I’m sure she’s told you that herself by now.
Was it possible my dad was right? Could Gia be in love with me too?
I can’t tell you how much Gia reminds me of your sweet mama. She’s the kind of woman who’ll stand by you through thick and thin, you can count on that. You’ll build a beautiful life together. Have a big family to fill all those empty rooms, I hope. I like to think you’re living in our old farmhouse by now. I know how much Gia always loved that place. As much as me and your mama did. Make it everything she envisions. Turn it into her dream home. And maybe one day you two will be able to pass it on to your kids and they’ll bring life and love and laughter to it, just like I know you and Gia will.
It does my heart good, knowing you’ve finally found your person. I hated like hell to leave you all alone. But deep down I knew you wouldn’t be alone. I had no doubt Gia would be there for you, the way she was always there for me. She’s one of the good ones. The best. And don’t ever let her forget it.
You know how much I love you,
Dad
I knew I’d re-read these letters a hundred times over the years. But right now, I had to pull myself together, and as my dad said, marry the girl of my dreams.
ChapterTwelve
Gia
Our first dance as husband and wife. It still seemed surreal. We’d exchanged the traditional vows, not wanting to sully the sanctity of marriage any more than we already had with fake vows. On paper our marriage was real. We had the license, the rings, and it was as legal as it could get in our state. Tonight? I had no doubt we’d be consummating the big event. God, this was supposed to be fake, but when Joel held me in his arms, it was starting to feel too real. Like maybe he really could love me…
“What are you thinking about, gorgeous?” he whispered in my ear.
I had to think fast, but I could never lie to him, so I opted for a half-truth. “It’s just kind of weird,” I whispered. “I’m pretty sure we’ve pulled off my dream wedding.” I tipped my head back to look at him and it hit me like an avalanche. I was falling in love with him.
He smiled, setting loose the butterflies in my tummy, and eradicating any lingering doubt. I was in deep.
“I’m glad it’s everything you wanted it to be. You deserve the best, baby.” His kiss was sweet, tender, and I had to remind myself he was putting on a show for our guests, fifty of the people who were closest to us.
The best.He was the best. Did I deserve him?
“I can’t thank you enough for working so hard to help me pull this off. The work you guys did on the barn…” I looked around, taking it all in. “It exceeded my expectations.”
Gauzy linens hanging from the rafters. Fairy lights, green garlands, interwoven with pale pink and ivory roses. The feminine touches combined with the natural wood floors and original stone accents was breath-taking. He’d even had a massive chandelier installed for the occasion. I’d wanted to split the cost with him, but he shut that idea down with one nasty look, telling me not to insult him by suggesting that again.
“I have to admit,” he said, smiling. “I’ve never been to a barn wedding, so when you suggested this, I was skeptical, but seeing what you’ve turned this into made a believer out of me.”
“Me?” I shook my head. “No way, I just came up with the décor plan and helped execute it. Bringing this building back to life was all you and your friends.” And I couldn’t thank them enough. His friends had been my friends back in high school and they insisted they loved both of us and were happy to help. But they’d worked nights and weekends, refusing any financial compensation, claiming my home cooking and baking was more than enough to keep them coming back.
Our friends had become like family, and I knew Joel needed that even more than I did. Especially today. My heart broke knowing he didn’t have any family here to share this day with us, but I’d tried to soothe myself with the reminder this wasn’t his ‘real’ wedding. Only now, instead of soothing me, that thought sliced deep. Someday, he might have arealwedding, to the love of his life. I might even have to sit in the church and witness their exchange of vows. I shuddered, wondering if I could torture myself that way.
