Love on me

The Anticipation.

Posted on | January 24, 2013 | 1 Comment

A soft sigh and a rustle of sheets next to me woke me from my light sleep. I reached an arm out to pat my little sister on the back. She was turned towards the wall, away from me, in our hotel room bed. I stared again at the floral wallpaper and imagined what this day would bring. The sleepless night behind me was full of nothing but thoughts about this day, but now, it was really here.

I rolled out of the bed. My feet hit the cold, rough carpet, and I stretched my arms above my head and smiled a sleepy smile. “The last morning I’ll wake up as Sally Pyles,” I thought.

The room was filled with sleeping bridesmaids; hungover and exhausted from a rehearsal dinner filled with karaoke and lots of wine.

I walked into the bathroom. My nerves were racing. I lifted an arm and stared at the tiny goosebumps that ran up and down in anticipation.

This is it…the thought paraded through my mind again.

I drew a bath. The steam floated across the tiny room. The smell of lavender bubble bath filled the air, and I took a deep breath in hopes of calming the nerves. I dipped a toe in the scalding water and slid in slowly. The slight pain was a welcome escape from my excitement. I’m not sure how long I stayed in the tub. Maybe thirty minutes. Maybe and hour. My fingers pruned and my hands burned red. A knock at the door stirred me from my pre-wedding bliss.

“Yo girl, you ready to get MARRRRRRIIIIEEEEDDD?!?!?!” my best friend, Jessica, screamed as she threw the door open.

My heart raced as I smiled up at her. Her excitement so clear, so tangible.

I climbed out of the tub and she wrapped a towel around me, ending it with a big embrace. “I can’t believe you’re getting married. You’re fucking crazy. At least he’s really nice and hot.” She smiled her big, magnetic smile and bounced out of the bathroom, leaving me to lotion and prep for this big day.

I stared into the mirror. My red hair draped around my face, and my cheeks flushed pink. A constellation of freckles danced across my nose and cheeks. My hazel eyes shown green; always a sign of extreme emotion. I took a deep breath, reached across the vanity to my make-up, and rubbed a little lotion on my face.

“Here goes nothing…”

I spent the next few minutes powdering and readying. A knock at the door shook me from my deep thoughts. I pulled my towel tighter and looked through the peep hole. A tall, black mohawk and a tiny puppy met my eye.

I threw the door open.

“You’re here!”

“Girl! Of course I’m here! And I brought Polly Pickles. That stupid door man tried to tell me I couldn’t bring her. I told him that I have a wedding to take care of and I AM bringing my puppy into this room!”

I laughed, “Kevin, I am SO glad you’re here. I needed some comic relief.”

Kevin plopped Polly Pickles on the bed, and the tiny white dog pranced around like a princess. He unrolled his massive collection of brushes and began setting up his make-up stand. His presence immediately soothed my excited soul. “So, what do these bitches want for their make-up?” he asked with a grin.

“KEVIN!” I scoled, “I don’t know what they want, but I’m thinking just kind of natural but photography worthy.”

“Perfect. I was afraid you would said blue eye shadow and false lashes. Actually, I was kind of hoping you’d say that, but natural works,” he laughed and winked.

The rest of the morning was a blur of mimosas and blush and cheese trays. My mama sat calmly at the end of the bed. Though her hands shook with emotion, she smiled and laughed and joked. She welcomed every visitor, had an answer for every question, and gently touched my hand with every nervous comment I made. Bridesmaids came and went as their make-up and hair was put on and up. Each brought a smile and a hug and a piece of advice. The final knock at the door brought my father.

As the door opened, I stared at the man whom I had always considered my hero. Seeing him dressed in a tuxedo left me with a catch in my throat. I could hear my little sister gasp, “Oh Daddy….” and we both burst into tears. The man who taught me what a husband should be encircled us in a huge hug and choked back his own tears. “Daddy, you have to leave! I’m not ready to get dressed.” He smiled and hug me once more, but before leaving, he turned and handed me a bag. “This is for you, pumpkin.” He rushed out the door, leaving me breathless with a small, black box and an envelope.

I looked down at the writing on the envelope and read, “To my wife.”

A smile crossed my face before I could stop it and I tore the paper apart impatiently.

“Dear Sally,

I have dreamed of this day. You are everything I could have ever wished for in a wife. I love you more than you could know, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. You’re my best friend.

Love,
Taylor”

I pulled a beautiful Peridot and diamond ring from the box. And slide it onto my right hand. A tear fell down my face, and I knew one thing;

I could not wait to marry this man. The man who surprised me with a wedding present on our big day. The man who called me his best friend and who cherished my mind and company. The man who made me laugh, made me smile, made me crazy with love. This man? This man was all I would ever need.

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