Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) (25 page)

Lindsey held the tears in as she didn’t want to ruin her make-up. She leaned down and hugged him tightly. “Thank you for this,” she whispered. “It’s the best gift I could get.” Lindsey pulled back and he squeezed her hands.

“I’ll see you in there,” Grandpa said, and turned to wheel himself out.

After he left, she removed the ribbon from the box. She hadn’t opened his letters she had found in the attic yet, and didn’t want to open Nana’s until she had the two boxes together. She took the ribbon and wrapped it around her bouquet. She now had her “something blue.”

Her dress was her “something new.” She reached into her purse and took out Nana’s journal. This would be her “something old,” and in a way she felt this journal would keep her Nana’s spirit with her.

Marie returned from another errand Lindsey had sent her on.

“You look gorgeous,” Marie said from the doorway.

“You’re not lookin’ too bad yourself.”

Marie looked lovely in her royal blue gown.

“Are you OK, Honey?” Ann asked from behind Marie.

“I am. Mom, would you please hold Nana’s journal for me?” She passed the journal to her mother.

“In a minute. I’d like you to wear the veil I wore in my wedding.” Ann gently placed the small veil on Lindsey’s head.

Now, I have my “something borrowed”,
Lindsey thought.

“Are you ready?” Hugh asked from behind her mother.

“Yes, Dad. I am ready.”

“Sugar, you look so beautiful.” His hands were shaking as she wrapped her hand around his arm. “Let’s do this,” he said.

“I feel like I’m on display,” she whispered to him as they began their walk up the aisle.

“You are. Just keep smiling!”

Steve watched her float up the aisle. Her simple white, silk gown fit her perfectly. He watched as the material swayed when she walked, gently moving over her legs. Her arms were bare and she carried a bouquet of five white roses in her hands. The veil was small and covered only her face, so he couldn’t see her eyes as well as he’d have liked.

He knew that she looked beautiful to everyone and she did to him too, but it wasn’t the woman in the dress he was seeing. He saw her purity and her Christ-like soul. It radiated all around her. He couldn’t believe that she wanted to be with him.

He lowered his eyes to say a private prayer and when he opened them, Lindsey was standing next to him. He took her hand without a word and tried to swallow the lump of emotions that felt stuck in his throat.

Pete took over then and the traditional ceremony was on its way.

“Please place the ring on her finger and repeat after me,” Pete said.

Lindsey looked down at the beautiful diamond and garnet ring that Steve placed on her finger. “Where did you get this?” she whispered to him.

“I’ll tell you later.” he whispered back.

Lindsey found it difficult to focus on the words and songs of the ceremony. She couldn’t believe this was real. She knew from God that this was the right thing. Steve was so handsome in his black suit, and she felt his strength and his trust in God emanating from his fingers clasped around her hands.

Lindsey was able to fully focus on Pete’s final words, though. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

Steve lifted Lindsey’s veil and placed his hands on both sides of her cheeks. Their kisses up until this point had only been two little pecks, as they had both decided their first real kiss would be as husband and wife.

Steve kissed his wife passionately. He might have lingered a bit too long by the sounds of the applause, but he didn’t hesitate. It was Lindsey who gently pulled back, red faced and embarrassed.

Lindsey looked down at the ring on her finger. It was perfect for her.
I’ve seen this before
, she said to herself.
A long time ago.
She realized that she had found this same ring buried deep within her Nana’s jewelry box when she had wanted to dress up like Nana as a little girl. When she came out with this ring on her finger, her Nana hadn’t been upset, but promptly asked her if she could wear it instead.

The memory had been shuffled behind many other moments of her life, but it was right at the surface now. She knew the ring must have come from Steve senior.

They entered the reception hall to the uproar of their families. Steve’s mother welcomed Lindsey into the family with open arms, and it was clear the two ladies couldn’t wait to spend more time getting to know one another.

Martha and Joyce had cornered Don and were pointing fingers at him. Don was nodding and apologizing as fast as he could. Lindsey laughed at the two pseudo-mothers.

Ann quietly walked up behind Lindsey when she was enjoying a plate of cheese and crackers. “I thought you’d want this back right away,” Ann said.

Lindsey took the journal from her mother. “Thank you Mom, for everything,” she said while wrapping her free arm around her.

Hugh came up at that moment and wrapped his arms around his two favorite ladies, then whisked Ann away for a dance.

Lindsey stared at her handsome husband, and clasped the journal to her chest. “Thank you, Nana, for writing this journal of a lifetime,” she whispered. “I can’t wait to finish the story.”

J
OURNAL OF A
L
IFETIME

J
OURNAL OF
D
ISCOVERY
(C
OMING
S
OON
)

J
OURNAL OF
L
OVE
(C
OMING
S
OON
)