Our reception area was set outside of the restaurant called Amaya, on the deck adjacent to the area where we had exchanged vows. The tables were set up with white linens. On the center of each table was a vase of uniquely decorated purple, pink, and white flowers. Each place setting included a party favor filled with Godiva truffles in a silver paper box with purple and white ribbon. Everything was color coordinated to the tee, and I had to give big thanks to my mother-in-law.
Clink, clink, clink. Matthew hit his wine glass with a fork, standing up. The mic was right next to our table, so it was easy access for him. “Welcome everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, shame on you.”
The crowd laughed.
“Just kidding,” Matthew chuckled. “My name is Matthew Knight, the younger brother of the groom. I’d like to make a toast, but not the kind you would eat.”
The crowd laughed again.
“You can tell from my jokes that I’m the jokester of the family, and the better looking one. Just kidding again,” Matthew said, chuckling. “Okay, but seriously. I’m not going to bore you with what a great guy Max is, because all the wonderful stories you hear about him are true. And I’m not going to bore you with what a great brother he is, because everybody knows he is.
“I want to share a story that will touch your heart and is why we are here. When Max was in high school and I had no idea what falling in love was, I asked my brother what love meant. He said that he wasn’t sure, but when he knew, he would let me know. Time passed, and I asked him again in college. He said he didn’t know. To which I would say, ‘With all of the women you’ve dated, you don’t know?’ He simply said he would let me know.
“I asked him again after we started working with our parents. The answer was the same, until Jenna walked into his life. He spotted her at a restaurant and hadn’t officially met her yet. Max called me that day. And do you know what he said?” Matthew paused. “Max told me that when he saw Jenna, his heart thumped so hard that it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. And when she left, his heart had stopped beating. The reason why Max says his heart only beats for Jenna? Because it’s true.”
At that moment, my heart expanded with bliss. Max said that to Matthew? If I’d only known how he felt, I could have saved us a lot of heartaches. Max squeezed my shoulder. His arms were wrapped behind me. When I gazed into his eyes, he pressed his lips on mine softly and tenderly, as if to confirm Matthew’s words.
Matthew gazed directly at us. “Let’s raise our glasses and toast this amazing couple, who couldn’t be more perfect for each other.” He waited to see more glasses up in the air. “To Max and Jenna, may you have a fruitful life together with a minivan full of kids. And may your heart thump hard for each other for the rest of your lives. Here is to something forever.”
Clink, clink, clink. The sound of glasses echoed in the air. Max’s parents, my parents, Matthew, and Becky all toasted their glasses. It was easier since we all sat at the same round table. Then Becky stood up.
“Hello, my name is Becky Miller. I’m the maid of honor. The instant I met Jenna, I knew she was special. And I knew at that moment we would become best friends for life. Her innocence and genuine heart were what stood out for me, and I had to make her my friend. Just like Matthew, I’m not going to bore you with stories of what a great person Jenna is, because she is. I want to share a story that will touch your heart. Jenna was always the safe one. She hardly took any risks, but when she met Max, her whole world became a huge mess. She couldn’t breathe. They were soul mates destined to be, because no matter how hard Jenna tried to stay away from Max, she couldn’t.
“I remember telling Jenna that if she didn’t take a leap of faith with Max that she would never know. After finally making her decision, she told me whatever happened, she would be okay. You see, Jenna always prepared for the worst. A part of her was expecting something to go wrong, but their love for each other was too strong.”
When Becky took a moment to catch her breath, Max kissed me on the cheek. “So,” Becky continued, “Max...you are simply Jenna’s air. You make her world spin. To Jenna and Max. Love you both very much.”
Clink, clink, clink. Matthew started hitting his glass, then the rest followed.
“I’m going to make your world spin, babe,” Max said as the clinking of glass rang louder and louder. What was he doing? He helped me up, tilted my body, and gave me a passionate kiss.
The wolf whistles echoed, indicating everyone was satisfied with that kiss.