While she walked, Damita surveyed the guests and the church with a smile. Once they were at the altar, Karen turned to her daughter and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you, too.”
Damita couldn’t help but realize that it was moments like these when you missed your loved ones the most. Despite the fact that the church was packed with family, friends and coworkers, the absence of her father was ever-present in her mind. However, the moment she looked at Neal, she forgot about what she was missing. He was unbelievably handsome in his black tuxedo. The great care he took of his body could be easily seen, even through the tux. Once she joined him, his lips spread into a smile, revealing his deep-set dimples and the quiet intensity of his darkly mysterious eyes. At six-foot-five, Damita still had to look up to him, even in her four-inch heels. She stood there gazing into his eyes, hoping the moment would never end.
“One look at these two and you can feel the love between them,” the minister began.
“When I spoke to the groom, he was so eager to be married to his bride, his only request was to keep the ceremony short. So, that is exactly what I am going to do.”
“Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God and in the face of this company to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. Who gives this woman in marriage to this man?”
“Her family and friends do,” Karen said.
“Do you, Neal, take Damita to be your wife, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon her your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Do you, Damita, take Neal to be your husband, to live together after God’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and continually bestow upon him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“What token of your love do you offer? Would you place the rings in my hand?
“May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity; these two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one another, may these two find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn, may they grow in understanding and in compassion, may the home which they establish together be such a place that many will find there a friend, may these rings on their fingers symbolize the touch of the spirit of love in their hearts.”
The minister handed the first ring to Neal.
“Neal, in placing this ring on Damita’s finger, repeat after me. Damita, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward.”
“Damita, you are now consecrated to me as my wife from this day forward,” Neal repeated.
“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” said the Minister.
“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” Neal said.
The minister then handed the second ring to Damita.
“Damita, in placing this ring on Neal’s finger, repeat after me. Neal, you are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward.”
“Neal, you are now consecrated to me as my husband from this day forward,” Damita repeated.
“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” said the Minister.
“And I give you this ring as the pledge of my love and as the symbol of our unity and with this ring, I thee wed,” Damita said.
“May you always share with each other the gifts of love, be one in heart and in mind, may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts love, generosity and kindness. In as much as Neal and Damita have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring, are now joined. You have pronounced yourselves husband and wife but remember to always be each other’s best friend. What, therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder. And so, by the power vested in me by the State of New York and Almighty God, I now pronounce you man and wife, and may your days be good and long upon the earth. You may now kiss the bride.” Neal’s kiss took Damita’s breath away.