When Mark and I were married more than 38-years ago I remember the stress that went into trying to please everyone and the concessions that were made from the dreams I had of my perfect wedding - but more than anything I remember the first time I looked at the man that I was able to call husband and knew that he was the most important part of my life and always would be. When he took my hand to walk with me up the aisle after the traditional kiss, I knew that was what pure love felt like.
I love to write about love and romance and passion in my books. I've written a few wedding ceremonies into the stories as well and I have fun with those. In the following excerpt from His Lucky Charm the heroine's best friend Keisha marries the love of her life Malcolm in an African inspired ceremony:
Malcolm
had explained many of the traditions and rituals of their wedding to Brandon.
He had told him that the wedding was the union of not just the couple, but of
their families and their lives. Their parents and immediate families were just
as much a part of the ceremony as the couple.
It was a
very spiritual time with prayers that were begun weeks earlier.
Keisha’s
father blessed his daughter and son as he now referred to Malcolm. Malcolm’s
mother tied a loose string of conchi shells around Keisha’s neck as a sign of
fertility and luck for a happy family. The priest conducted the service
interjecting the civil requirements among the prayers and blessings.
Malcolm
spoke to his bride thanking her for completing his life. “A man without a wife
is a man without a home.” He promised to keep her happy and provide for her and
he placed a simple band on her finger.
Keisha
promised that her love for Malcolm would be never-ending like the circle of the
wedding band. Then she placed a ring on his finger.
Both
mothers took turns reciting an African marriage creed. Brandon noticed Caitlyn
look downward as they gave the advice to “Be Open With Each Other. Bind not
yourselves in the secretiveness that causes suspicion and doubt. Trust and
reveal yourselves to each other, even as the budding rose opens to reveal its
fragrance and beauty.”
He berated
himself again for having kept secrets from the woman he loved and wondered if
he would ever have the opportunity again to reveal his true self to her. More
than that, he worried that she no longer had an interest in him or of learning
his truths.
The
ceremony concluded with Malcolm’s father tying Keisha and Malcolm’s wrists
together with a purple cloth to symbolize their union. Together they jumped
over a broom laid on the floor to show that they were starting fresh and
welcoming the new path before them. Smiling and happy, they walked together up
the aisle to the back of the church while the audience applauded.
The
parents followed the happy couple and so did Caitlyn and Malcolm’s brother.
Caitlyn noticed Brandon in the back row as she neared the door and her steps
faltered. The best man placed a hand under her elbow and looked in the
direction of her distraction. The smile Caitlyn had been wearing quickly left
her face and she turned away from Brandon as she regained her footing.
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