the ceremony

Kevin e-mailed me the morning of our wedding. "I will be so very proud and honored to walk you down that aisle. Can we take it slowly and make it last as long as possible?" I agreed. And so slowly we walked.

Once my eyes met Danny's they never left. I don't remember anyone but him, standing there in his suit with his arms held in front, waiting for me just as he had promised. We both had tears in our eyes which only grew larger the closer we got to each other. He looked so happy, so ready to become my husband. I was so happy, so ready to become his wife. Finally we made it to the end, Kevin kissed my cheek and placed my hand in Danny's. "You are so beautiful" was what my groom whispered to me as we made it the last few steps.

We secretly squeezed each other's hand as we stood in front of Mike (my old youth pastor/former boss/mentor/friend/accountability partner/advice giver/marriage counselor/pastor who married us) and the rest of our friends and family. It was our only way of expressing our excitement and joy to be standing where we were standing, making the promises we had been waiting to make for nearly nine months now.

I was completely engaged in the ceremony. I have heard from a lot of brides that you won't remember the ceremony. But I remember it all- every word. And it was beautiful. Recited the Shema. Exchanged traditional vows (because we figure they were made a tradition for a reason). Slipped rings onto one another's finger. Took communion as husband and wife and praised God for his Son and for amazing grace. And for the day he made. And told him that we were glad in it. God was present in a way I had never before felt or experienced. I was just at peace and my cup was full. Very full.

Then came the announcement. "I now pronounce you as husband and wife!" Excitement is an understatement to how I felt and, if you were there, you can probably witness to that. I am pretty sure I bounced up and down a few times. I take that back, I am positive I bounced. (my uncle got it on tape...I promise to share it when I get it from him.) "Danny, you may kiss your beautiful bride." He cupped my face in his hands and went in for it. First kiss as husband and wife. Fireworks, sparklers, lightning, butterflies, whatever- nothing can serve as an adequate metaphor for that kiss. "And now, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Unterkofler!" And we laughed and we smiled and we walked to the song we planned. And we gave high fives. And we got behind closed doors with our bridal party and kept saying, "You are my wife!" "You are my husband!" And we kissed some more.

And I have never been so happy in my life. But it wasn't over, yet...