Lee began to calm down. He was so happy this day had finally come for them both. He was lost, staring at Adam for the moment until he heard a faint cough. He blinked up and saw the priest was looking right at him.
Vows?… OH RIGHT! He reached in his coat, where Sass had pocket the paper for safe keeping earlier. There were a few giggles in the audience. that was always a good sign.
“Yeah oh um sorry, heh…” He unfolded the paper and returned his focus to Adam. “ I, Lee, choose you Adam to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, trusting what things I will discover. I will respect you as a person, a partner, and an equal.” his voice had cracked for a moment. it wasn’t that he was nervous… more just caught up in all the emotion and love in the room… yeah that was it. “There is little to say that you haven’t already heard, and little to give that is not already freely given. I marry you with no hesitation or doubt, and my commitment to you is absolute. I love you unconditionally and without hesitation. I vow to love you, encourage you, trust you, and respect you. As a family, we will create a home filled with learning, laughter, and compassion. I promise to work with you to foster and cherish a relationship of equality knowing that together we will build a life far better than either of us could imagine alone. Today, I choose you to be my husband. I accept you as you are, and I offer myself in return. I will care for you, stand beside you, and share with you all of life’s adversities and all of its joys from this day forward, and all the days of my life.”
It was a mouthful… but he meant every word… and lord was it hard to keep Adam from seeing this little paper weeks ago. It would have spoiled the surprised look he was expecting from Adam… and there it was.
She was beaming, hearing the whole thing and getting a front view of Adam’s face as she listened to what Lee had to say.
Adam blinked and stared at Lee in awe and wonderment. Those words.. so beautiful and heartfelt. It made Adam’s heart flutter, his face warm, and his eyes moisten with the hint of tears. Joyful tears. There were soft ‘aww’s of approval from their small audience, as well.
When Lee was finished, the priest turned to Adam, prompting him to read his own vows.
“O-oh! Um..” Adam blushed brighter and fumbled awkwardly, plucking out a little card that had been tucked away into his bouquet, “Uh... I-I’m not sure I can.. m-match what you just said, but uh.. here goes..” he mumbled, before taking a deep breath and reading off the card.
“Lee.. *ahem* ...you are my.. my best friend. I love you.. completely a-and without question.” His voice cracked nervously on those first few words, but he recovered quickly and pushed ahead, “I promise to always be your biggest fan and your partner in crime. I vow not just to grow old together, but to grow together. Today, surrounded by people who love us, I choose you, Lee, to be my partner. I am proud to... b-be your husband and to join my life with yours. I will love you and have faith in your love for me, through all our years and all that life may bring us. Let us be partners, friends and lovers, today and all of the days that follow.”
Adam glanced up shyly from the card to look at Lee, a nervous smile on his lips, his eyes seeking for approval for his shorter partner.
