“Nope.” She shakes her head. “Hard to miss the best-looking guy in the room.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
“Oh, this old thing?” Dani sways side to side.
The material at the bottom makes a swishing sound. The light catches the diamond that’s in the center of her necklace. It is gorgeous, just like her.
A throat-clearing distracts our conversation. We turn to find the minister staring at us.
“Is it okay to proceed?”
Dani snorts, and we both nod.
The minister continues with the ceremony. “We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments—the joining of two hearts—and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love which shall unite Danielle and Kyler in holy matrimony.”
“Danielle and Kyler have decided to write their vows to each other. Danielle?”
I nod to the minister that I’m ready. With Kyler’s hands in mine, I begin. It took forever to memorize them, but I am just speaking from the heart.
“I, Danielle Kathryn Jacobs, take you, Kyler Christopher Lawson, to be my husband, my best friend, my forever. They say everything happens for a reason—the love we feel, the pain we endure, the memories we make. Everything in my life led me to one thing: you.”
I ignore the sniffling around me of our family and friends and focus only on Kyler. We are in a room full of people, and all I see is him.
“I love you for not only who you are, but who I am when I’m with you. You brought me out of the darkness into the light and showed me how to love again. You make me laugh and smile and feel alive.”
Kyler curls his lips around his teeth, and I know he is trying to hold back his emotions.
“Fate brought me home—to you. To your arms, your safety, your comfort, your love. You lift me when I am down, and you breathe air into my soul.”
I release his hand for a moment to brush away the tear falling.
Breathe. You’re almost done.
“I promise to be there for you in good times and bad and to love you forever.”
“I love you,” he mouths.
I respond the same.
“Well, damn, how am I supposed to follow that?” he jokes.
That earns a laugh from the crowd.
Readjusting his hands in mine, Kyler stands up straight trying to regain his composure. “Here it goes. I, Kyler Christopher Lawson, take you, Danielle Kathryn Jacobs, to be my wife, my best friend, and my forever. While my wedding vows may be short, my love for you is never-ending. Danielle, I promise always to love you, challenge you, and stand by you. I may not be able to fix all of your problems, but I promise that there is nothing we won’t face together, with my hand in yours.”
He squeezes my hand, and I am ready to fall apart. Wow, I didn’t think I would be so emotional today.
“You will never face this world alone. I promise that no matter what life brings us, I will always love you. I promise to make you laugh, because your laugh is my favorite sound in the world.”
He winks, and I feel my cheeks warm because he once told me something else was his favorite sound in the world. I hope that no one else notices my blush. My smile widens, as does his.
“I will spend every day in this lifetime, and the next, thanking you for giving me the most delicate and important thing in this world: your heart.”
“Please present the rings,” the priest says, turning to Zach.
Kyler also turns to face him as he reaches into this jacket pocket and pulls out the box holding both of our wedding rings. I’ve never been so thankful that my brother didn’t lose something. He hands them off to the minister.
“Your wedding ring is a symbol of your promise to one another. The ring, an unbroken never-ending circle, is a symbol of committed, unending love.”