Minerva, the preacher’s wife, joined us and held both phones so our friends could watch the ceremony. Elias and I stood barefoot in the soft sand, between the pretty little chapel and the sparkling blue Pacific. A laugh slipped from me, just because I couldn’t contain all my joy, and as we joined hands, I said, “I love you more than anything, Eli.”
“I love you too, mi amor.” My fiancé’s dark eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled at me.
The preacher was a short, round man named Frank, who’d befriended us when we first arrived in town. He conducted a quick, sweet wedding ceremony in Spanish, with Minerva and our friends as witnesses.
I vowed to love and cherish Elias all my life, and he vowed to do the same. Then Frank smiled at us and said, in English, “What are you waiting for? You’re married now, so kiss already!”
Elias and I both laughed. Then, as our friends cheered and applauded, my husband drew me into his arms and kissed me. It felt like a promise, laced with love, hope, and so much possibility.
The End