Tears fill my mother’s eyes, and she gives my hand a squeeze as music begins to fill up the grassy field where the wedding is taking place. There are rows of white chairs, flowers lining the lawn, an archway at the end of the aisle where Meadow and I will take our vows.
“I love you more, Reuben. You’re a good man, a great father, and you’re going to be a wonderful partner to Meadow,” my mom says.
My brothers are at the end of the aisle in their suits, all dressed for the occasion. I give a wave to my Rowdy cousins who are all single, and all ready for a good old party. Thankfully there will be plenty of food and good music—Meadow’s family is taking care of the entertainment.
When I take my place next to them, a wave of joy washes over me. Everyone is here, ready for our big day. The last few months have been a whirlwind of excitement. When Plum finished kindergarten, the three of us flew down to Mexico to meet up with Meadow’s family. Meadow was able to perform with them for a few shows. After that, the three of us took a family vacation together.
It was incredible to watch Plum splash in the hotel pool, Meadow and I sitting with our margaritas. We walked the beach every evening, holding hands, our hearts wrapping around one another, creating family bonds that, God willing, will last a lifetime. Meadow and I wanted Plum to feel cemented in her place in the family. It was such a good decision because walking into today, I am not worried if Plum is going to handle this well. I know she will. I didn’t just long for a partner—Plum wanted a mother too.
Now, the prelude for the wedding begins and my eyes fill with tears as I watch my little girl walk down the aisle. She insisted on being the flower girl—even though we were more than willing to have her next to us as we said our vows. But she wanted the role that was pretty much designed for five-year-old girls.
She is wearing a poufy white dress, a pink sash around her waist, her hair tamed into soft curls. She grins when she sees me, but she takes her job seriously. She gently plucks petals from the basket she holds and lets them fall to the ground.
When she makes it to the front, everyone is dabbing their eyes. I kneel down and pull my daughter into a hug. “You are such a wonderful person,” I affirm. “I love you so much, and I am so proud of you, Plum.”
She kisses me and places her hands on my cheeks. “I love you too, Daddy.”
I give her another hug before she squeals. “Daddy, it’s Mama!”
I turn, and together we watch as Meadow and her father walk down the aisle. The processional music is played by her brother and sister-in-law, on fiddles, and when our eyes lock, I know fate brought us together, but the commitment we have for one another, for family, is what will make our marriage last.
I give her father a hug, and Plum stands right with us, even though she thought she wouldn’t want to. It makes me happy she is at our side. This day is about all three of us.
Meadow takes Plum’s hand, and I take her other. We stand in a circle that feels unbreakable. The rest of the ceremony is a romantic blur—we make promises, we exchange rings, and we are pronounced husband and wife. The whole time, I can’t take my eyes off my girls.
Meadow is a sight to behold in her princess-style white dress—she let Plum help her decide on it. It has layers of tulle and a corset top, and damn, she looks divine. I want to pull her to me, tight, not let go—and then proceed to undress her. Because, God, my wife looks incredible.
Wife.
Damn, I never imagined I would be saying that word this summer—then again, I never imagined I would meet Meadow.
“You may now kiss the bride!”
The words cause an uproar of happy cheers throughout the field, and Plum is twirling in her pretty dress as I wrap my wife in my arms and kiss her deeply.
Her smile lights up my heart, and I want to bottle this memory, look back on it for the rest of my life. It’s a moment of such pure love and devotion that it brings tears to my eyes.
“You make me so happy, you know that?” I say to her as we walk down the aisle toward the reception.
She kisses me again, pausing right there in the aisle. “I love you so much, Reuben Rough.”
“I love you more.”
Later, in our cabin, Meadow and I close the door, exhaling. Not in relief, but in satisfaction. Plum is with my parents, and we have the cabin to ourselves.