Before the day progressed further, her heart compelled to once again view the video tape. As she pushed it into the machine she said to herself, "I must transfer this to DVD before it gets ruined."
Though she had viewed the video eight times over the last five months, she viewed the ceremony as if it was her first time. Each time she noticed something new.
The camera zoomed past the bride and groom to focus upon Ken, the bride's brother, a local judge and elder in his church. His baritone voice deliberately articulated the words. His cadence was measured and rhythmic.
Ken: "We are gathered in this home in the sight of God to affirm the marital union of Joseph and Nancy. Twenty-two years ago today, before family and friends this couple exchanged their vows love and have since lived as one in their hearts. We who are gathered here are able to attest that Joe and Nan have sought the best for the other. Each has given their best to and for the other. As love is dynamic, so has been their relationship."
"Today we have been invited to witness the affirmation of their vows. Over the last twenty-two years Nan and Joe have evolved and changed. Though their vows today will have similarity to those articulate on their wedding day, recognizing the dynamic nature of their lives and marriage Nan and Joe have rightly modified and added to their original vows."
To the couple: "Are you as nervous about this as I?" Ken asked nervously. Nan and Joe both nodded. Taking a breath the bride's brother continued, "Are you willing to affirm your vows? Do you each solemnly declare that you are affirming your vows freely with the purest of love's intent?"
At the same time and looking at each other they said, "Yes."
Addressing Joe, Ken continued: "You took this beautiful woman to be your wife, to live with her, to love her and protect her from harm as much as your ability provided. You took her to be your friend, lover and life partner. You took Nancy to be the mother of children."
"Joe, will you continue to love, comfort and honor her? Will you affirm to be faithful to her in body and soul? Will you sustain her personhood, respect her personal dignity and encourage her personal growth as long as you both shall live?"
Joe held his wife's hands and gazed longingly into her blue eyes. As the camera focused upon his face with his tearing eyes, Joe replied clearly and confidently, "yes. Nancy you are the wife of my youth. You have honored me by being my wife. I have never regretted having you as my partner. You have graciously loved and cared for me beyond my youthful dreams and expectations. You are my best friend, my confident and the lover. My greatest desire and joy is found in living each day with you. I want nothing less than to be at your side as we grow old and grey. With my dying breadth your name will be spoken with reverence and love."
After a moment of silence, with a shaking voice Ken started to speak to Nancy: "Nancy, you took this man to be your husband, to live with him, to love Joe and protect him from harm as much as your ability provided. You took Joe into your heart and bosom to be the father of your children. Will you continue to affirm him, comfort and honor him? Will you affirm to be faithful to him in body and soul? Will you sustain his personhood, respect his personal dignity and encourage his personal growth as long as you both shall live?"
Nancy shifted momentarily. The camera caught her with a brief yet familiar look of pain. She closed her eyes for several seconds before breathing deeply and speaking sweetly clearly for all to hear: "Most definitely yes. My dearest, the best choice I ever made in my youth was to allow you to woo me and to take my hand in marriage. You have not only been my lover, but you have been my confident, my rock and best friend. You encouraged me to hone my professional knowledge and skills. You willing sacrificed your time and life so that I could have an opportunity to grow and flourish. Many of the most precious moments have been when we have sat together arm in arm before our fireplace just talking. Many others have been when we have been intimate with each other. My Dearest, you have been the lover of my youthful dreams, and then some. Our intimacy has not been only a sexual joy but a powerful life affirming means for us to proclaim the strength and beauty of love. My last breath will utter forth my love for you and as my soul departs my body, it will depart with joy for being the center of your love and life."
As she finished the camera pulled back to briefly scan the faces of those who were gathered. Several females were quietly fighting back the tears. Terri, their twenty year old daughter had lost the battle. Two streams flowed from Terri's eyes as her head rested upon the shoulder of Will, her fiancé.
The camera moved slowly back to Ken as he addressed Ken: "Ken, please repeat after me."
"Upon my honor I call upon these persons here present to witness that I affirm my deepest desire to have you Nancy as my wedded wife, to cherish you with self-sacrificial love each day of my life, to be by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in times of plenty and want, and in times of health and illness. I have worn your golden ban as a continual symbol to myself and all that I am yours and you are mine. I seek only your happiness and fulfillment. My Love, you are forever in my heart."
Ken turned to Nancy and asked her: "Nan, please repeat after me."
"Upon my honor I call upon our family and friends present to witness that I affirm my deepest desire to have you Joe as my wedded husband, to cherish you with self-sacrificial love each day of my life, to seek your fulfillment each day of my life, to be by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in times of plenty and want, in times of health and illness. I have worn your golden ban as a continual symbol of to myself and all that I am yours and you are mine. I seek only your happiness and fulfillment. My Dearest, you are forever the love of my life you, I will continue to cherish, honor and adore you as the love of my life. My greatest desire is nothing short of your happiness and fulfillment until your last breadth."
The camera then pulled back from Nancy's moist eyes. In the silence of the room people fighting tears could be detected in the background.
No word needed to be uttered by Ken. Joe, dressing in a tux knew what he must do at that moment. He drew his wife into his arms and kissed her for over a minute to the clapping and shouts of joy from their family and friends.
As their kiss ended when Joe started to move, the camera caught his wife tugging his arm to signal that he should remain in place. As a questioning look crossed his face, Ken commenced to speak.
"Friends and family, Nancy has asked to say something else to say to her husband. She wishes to make a request to make to him and a vow before each of you."
Ken looked at Joe and continued: "Joe, Nancy has given much thought to what she is about to request and pledge. She has spoken to me about what she is about to say. She has also spoken to her mother, your son and daughter, and your parents about this. Before she commences I can attest that she has the full support of your children and parents. I am humbled by her act of love. I am therefore honored to add my support and that of your mother-in-law. Listen and respond with your heart."
The camera caught a look of concern cross Joe's face. The concern was not so much over what Ken just said but concern for Nancy as it was evident that she was again in pain. Being acquainted with the look Joe moved to hold his wife and have her take a seat. Holding up her hand she stated that she was fine and needed to continue.
The onlookers watched Nancy courageously gather herself. She spoke softly but confidently. "My Dearest, I have been with willing recipient of your love. It has flowed freely like an endless refreshing stream into my soul. You have been and will continue to be my passion and joy. When either of us have been away on business, my life feels so empty without you beside me. I feel lost without you beside me in my bed. I know my Dearest that you feel the same."
"Joseph, you graciously and loving received my greatest gift twenty-two years ago, my love and life. As I gifted you the dearest gift I possessed then, today I desire to give you the greatest gift available to me today."
"My Dearest you are a powerful lover. You have moved me repeatedly with your words, touches and kisses. You have unselfishly sated my womanhood with your manhood. We have both dreamed of growing old together watching our grandchildren grow around us. We have talked about to sitting together in our golden years arm in arm recalling our joys while still creating new precious memories both in and outside our bed. Alas we both know that my failing health will not allow for our dreams to be realized."
"You have been a faithful husband. You have always cleaved only unto me. Even in these last months when we have not been able to be intimate, you have not thought of turning to another. I know you will be lost when I have departed. I know that you could spend months or years in grieving over me and miss living." The camera caught Joe nodding his head acknowledging the truth of her statement. She took a half a step forward toward him. She held his hands to her breast as she looked into his eyes.
"I am happy to see that you know what I am saying is true. Now my Dearest, I know that you too love another." She paused as his eyes widened. His wife drew his hands to her mouth with one hand to kiss his hands while a finger from her other hand touched his lips to keep him silent.
Holding his hands against her breast she continued: "My dear husband, I know that she also loves you dearly. Along with you Jennifer has been my closest friend. She has been there with us throughout my illness. She has helped bath and comfort me. She has helped clean our home and cook our meals. She has done this because she loves me, and because she loves you. I know that before we dated you dated each other for five months. Joe, you were there to support her when her husband died. You have helped repair her home and do her taxes. You have been like a father to her daughter these last three years. The look of love that we see upon the faces of Terri and Will I see similarly upon your face and Jenn's. My Dearest husband, you two not only have my blessing but also my heart felt encouragement to wed one another. You are so right for each other, just as you and I have been my Dearest."
"You both mean so much to me. I have spoken at length on this with Jenn about what I am doing right now. I have also hinted repeatedly of this to you for the last two months. For both of you my desire is only for your happiness and joy. I only wish I were able to be present to witness your nuptials. Of course that is impossible.
Now to my gift. As I cannot be there to witness them, it is my desire to conduct an exchange of pre-nuptial vows. My vow is to allow and encourage your love for one another to bloom and grow during my last days. I want nothing less to witness your love for each other to flower before my eyes."
With that dressed in a white dress, Nancy kissed her husband. As the couple kissed, other than sounds of crying from friends and family, the room remained silent. Though the camera did not pick up all the words, its lens did record the movement of her mouth. Between the words and movement of the lips the viewer knew the message she quietly spoke to him, "this is my gift my Love. It does not diminish our love. You love her. Accept her love and give her yours. I am confident your love for me will not be diminished in anyway by this exchange of vows."
Nancy's head moved back before his face. Looking lovingly into his eyes. His nod indicated that he was accepting her gift. She knew though her husband would have some reluctance due to his loyalty and love for her. Yet knowing his heart she also knew he would not reject her gift if given this way.
Ken moved a little to the side to allow his sister to stand beside her. Ken then spoke, "Jennifer you have stood as your friend's Maid of Honor. It is time for you to move to Joe's side. Terri, you are invited to stand beside Jennifer in the Maid of Honor's position. Candy please join your mother by standing on the other side of Terri. Daniel is invited to join his father at his side." Rich, Joe's best friend stepped two steps over to allow Dan to stand beside his father. Dan he had known to expect this moment since his mother and uncle spoke to him two weeks before. As Dan moved into place Rich nodded and smiled to his own wife who was blowing her nose between her crying.
Once Dan was in place, Nancy took Jennifer's right hand and placed it into Joseph's right hand as they now were turned almost fully toward each other. Nancy placed their hands between hers as her brother held the text for her to read.
Before she could speak Nancy's widowed mother Ann stood. Nancy remained silent to see what her mother would say. When she first spoke to her mother about her intent Ann did not support her daughter's plan. Wives do not give their husbands away to another woman she argued. Yet Ann acquiesced when she listened with her heart. She understood why this was important to her daughter to do this for the man she loved more than life itself. Jennifer had been her daughter's dearest friend since high school. They were so much alike. Ann knew Nancy was right about her husband. She could see Joe, who she loved like her own son, could easily grieve for years as a means to honor his love for his wife. Joe would be existing, not living.
Momentary Nancy feared her mother would walk out. To her surprise Nancy moved toward Joseph's mother and father. Ann nodded to Lil as she too stood. Adam stood with his wife and moved forward with Lil and Ann to stand behind Joe and Jenn.
With a breaking voice Nancy started to speak: "Friends and family, you have heard my heart. This man and this woman whose hands are joined together are my dearest friends. Though they have not acted upon it they have quietly loved one another. Neither has been unfaithful to me in any manner. Their love has not been unvoiced to each other or openly. They have not acted beyond what one good friend would say or do for the other. On this my anniversary you have heard of my love for my husband and his love for me. As my days are measured I wish to gift to these my friends my love fully and completely as I can. I gift to them my approval for their love to bloom in the open. As your gift to them and to me I ask you allow and encourage their love to bloom and grow without concern."
Turning to her husband: "Joseph, will you cherish and love this woman with a similar devotion you have given to me? Will you sustain Nancy and respect her personal dignity as you have mine? Will you encourage and help her to be as fulfilled as possible as you have done for me? Will you give to Nancy your heart and soul in the same self-giving manner you gave them to me each day over these twenty-two years? Will you care for, encourage and protect her daughter as if she were your own daughter?"
When Nancy paused Joes looked at her. When his wife nodded, Joe said, "I will love her as I have you."
Turning to Jen Nancy asked: "Jenn, will you cherish, love my husband with similar devotion I have provided to him these twenty-two years? Will you help sustain and respect his personal dignity? Will you be there to hear his complaints and pains, to provide his meals and help care for his needs? Will you encourage and aid him to be as fulfilled as possible as I have so done? Will you give to Joseph the full devotion of your heart and soul in the same self-giving manner you gave them to me in our friendship? Will you care for and encourage his son and daughter as if they were your own?"
With eyes brimmed by tears she looked into Nancy's eyes. Just above whisper Jenn quietly affirmed, "Yes. I will love him and your children as mine. I will give them freely my heart." The image on the screen was shaking because Nan's brother Ian was fighting to hold back his tears.
Ian focused at that moment that Adam's hand was upon the shoulder of his son. He then turned to record that his mother's and Lil's hands were upon Jenn's shoulder. As the frame enlarged the view could see Nancy's eyes lock upon her mother's and Ann's faces as tears rolled down her face.
To Joe Nancy asked: "Joe, upon my passing will you take Jennifer as your wife, to hold her and cleave unto her, to be by her side in sickness and health, in times of plenty and want, in times of joy and sorrow, until your dying breath?"
Joe now crying replied: "Yes, I shall do so."
To Jenn Nancy asked: "Jennifer, will you take Joseph as your husband, to hold and cleave unto him, to be by his side in sickness and health, in times of plenty and want, in times of joy and sorrow, until your dying breath?"
Jenn could not speak but all saw her nod pronounce her "yes."
Releasing her hands from their hands Nancy then proclaimed: "Family and friends, you have heard their pre-nuptial vows. I give them my blessing and I hope that they will affirm their marital vows as soon as possible after my departure from this life. It is my prayer that their love will bloom fully and in every way mature love should be expressed."
"Joe and Jenn, to symbolize the statements of love that have been exchanged and to signify my desires for you both, I am gifting to Jenn one of my most dearest possessions to wear around her neck. Terri" With the pronouncement of her name Terri stepped forward and removed a long necklace from around her mother's neck.
When the necklace was placed in Nancy's hand, Nancy stepped forward and placed it around Jennifer's neck. Once the necklace was in place Nancy hugged her friend. Stepping back she took the ring on the end of the necklace in her hand saying, "hanging on this gold necklace is my engagement ring. Only my husband, children and wedding ring are more precious to me than this ring. Please wear it daily as a symbol of this day and my love for both of you and that I am gifting them all to you."
After kissing Jenn in a sisterly manner upon her face and lips, Nancy asked, "Joe and Jenn, you may kiss." They looked at each other before briefly kissing awkwardly.
Nancy cleared her throat, "that is no kiss for you two to kiss. I have invited you to express your love openly and I encourage it to bloom. Well, let it bloom away!!" Just before the video ended, Jenn and Joe kissed as lovers. As the eyes of Nancy and Ann brimmed with tears they cried, "that is better."
Ian almost ended the video a moment too early for in the last few seconds he caught mother and daughter embracing with Ann saying "beautiful and loving."
The video of that day five months ago still brought tears to her eyes. Nancy succumbed to cancer fourteen weeks later. They were all comforted that at least the last twelve weeks Nan was rarely in pain because of the medication on which the doctor put her. It would have been used months earlier but in the last stages, the high risk of damage to other organs was no longer a concern. Jennifer dried her tears as Daniel entered the room to ask, "are you ready?" With her face done, Jennifer straightened her bridal gown. Daniel beamed that he was escorting her to alter to be given in wedlock to his father as Joe had chosen another to stand at his side.
Joe's choice of who would stand at his side clearly broke with tradition. She readily agree that it fit with what happened on Joe and Nan's twenty-second anniversary. As she put her arm through Daniel's arm she nodded to Terri who would walk down the isle ahead of her to stand as her Maid of Honor. As she moved to the entrance she saw her beloved Joseph. Behind him was Nancy's brother who was to perform the ceremony. While it raised some eyebrows, she thought it appropriate that Ann, Nancy's mother, was standing to Joe's side as his "Best Person" and to her side was Candy, her sixteen year old daughter.
As she started to move down the isle, Jenn's right hand moved to the top of breasts. As she pulled out from between her breasts the golden necklace with Nancy's engagement ring, the bride recalled that ceremony as well as that first tender intimate night. As she moved further along the isle she saw around her beloved's neck a golden thread from which hung upon his chest at her request Nancy's and Joe's wedding rings. Nancy was so insightful and wise, their love for one another did not diminish their love for Nancy. Nancy's love for them and theirs for her would always be dear to them.
Though she had viewed the video eight times over the last five months, she viewed the ceremony as if it was her first time. Each time she noticed something new.
The camera zoomed past the bride and groom to focus upon Ken, the bride's brother, a local judge and elder in his church. His baritone voice deliberately articulated the words. His cadence was measured and rhythmic.
Ken: "We are gathered in this home in the sight of God to affirm the marital union of Joseph and Nancy. Twenty-two years ago today, before family and friends this couple exchanged their vows love and have since lived as one in their hearts. We who are gathered here are able to attest that Joe and Nan have sought the best for the other. Each has given their best to and for the other. As love is dynamic, so has been their relationship."
"Today we have been invited to witness the affirmation of their vows. Over the last twenty-two years Nan and Joe have evolved and changed. Though their vows today will have similarity to those articulate on their wedding day, recognizing the dynamic nature of their lives and marriage Nan and Joe have rightly modified and added to their original vows."
To the couple: "Are you as nervous about this as I?" Ken asked nervously. Nan and Joe both nodded. Taking a breath the bride's brother continued, "Are you willing to affirm your vows? Do you each solemnly declare that you are affirming your vows freely with the purest of love's intent?"
At the same time and looking at each other they said, "Yes."
Addressing Joe, Ken continued: "You took this beautiful woman to be your wife, to live with her, to love her and protect her from harm as much as your ability provided. You took her to be your friend, lover and life partner. You took Nancy to be the mother of children."
"Joe, will you continue to love, comfort and honor her? Will you affirm to be faithful to her in body and soul? Will you sustain her personhood, respect her personal dignity and encourage her personal growth as long as you both shall live?"
Joe held his wife's hands and gazed longingly into her blue eyes. As the camera focused upon his face with his tearing eyes, Joe replied clearly and confidently, "yes. Nancy you are the wife of my youth. You have honored me by being my wife. I have never regretted having you as my partner. You have graciously loved and cared for me beyond my youthful dreams and expectations. You are my best friend, my confident and the lover. My greatest desire and joy is found in living each day with you. I want nothing less than to be at your side as we grow old and grey. With my dying breadth your name will be spoken with reverence and love."
After a moment of silence, with a shaking voice Ken started to speak to Nancy: "Nancy, you took this man to be your husband, to live with him, to love Joe and protect him from harm as much as your ability provided. You took Joe into your heart and bosom to be the father of your children. Will you continue to affirm him, comfort and honor him? Will you affirm to be faithful to him in body and soul? Will you sustain his personhood, respect his personal dignity and encourage his personal growth as long as you both shall live?"
Nancy shifted momentarily. The camera caught her with a brief yet familiar look of pain. She closed her eyes for several seconds before breathing deeply and speaking sweetly clearly for all to hear: "Most definitely yes. My dearest, the best choice I ever made in my youth was to allow you to woo me and to take my hand in marriage. You have not only been my lover, but you have been my confident, my rock and best friend. You encouraged me to hone my professional knowledge and skills. You willing sacrificed your time and life so that I could have an opportunity to grow and flourish. Many of the most precious moments have been when we have sat together arm in arm before our fireplace just talking. Many others have been when we have been intimate with each other. My Dearest, you have been the lover of my youthful dreams, and then some. Our intimacy has not been only a sexual joy but a powerful life affirming means for us to proclaim the strength and beauty of love. My last breath will utter forth my love for you and as my soul departs my body, it will depart with joy for being the center of your love and life."
As she finished the camera pulled back to briefly scan the faces of those who were gathered. Several females were quietly fighting back the tears. Terri, their twenty year old daughter had lost the battle. Two streams flowed from Terri's eyes as her head rested upon the shoulder of Will, her fiancé.
The camera moved slowly back to Ken as he addressed Ken: "Ken, please repeat after me."
"Upon my honor I call upon these persons here present to witness that I affirm my deepest desire to have you Nancy as my wedded wife, to cherish you with self-sacrificial love each day of my life, to be by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in times of plenty and want, and in times of health and illness. I have worn your golden ban as a continual symbol to myself and all that I am yours and you are mine. I seek only your happiness and fulfillment. My Love, you are forever in my heart."
Ken turned to Nancy and asked her: "Nan, please repeat after me."
"Upon my honor I call upon our family and friends present to witness that I affirm my deepest desire to have you Joe as my wedded husband, to cherish you with self-sacrificial love each day of my life, to seek your fulfillment each day of my life, to be by your side in times of joy and sorrow, in times of plenty and want, in times of health and illness. I have worn your golden ban as a continual symbol of to myself and all that I am yours and you are mine. I seek only your happiness and fulfillment. My Dearest, you are forever the love of my life you, I will continue to cherish, honor and adore you as the love of my life. My greatest desire is nothing short of your happiness and fulfillment until your last breadth."
The camera then pulled back from Nancy's moist eyes. In the silence of the room people fighting tears could be detected in the background.
No word needed to be uttered by Ken. Joe, dressing in a tux knew what he must do at that moment. He drew his wife into his arms and kissed her for over a minute to the clapping and shouts of joy from their family and friends.
As their kiss ended when Joe started to move, the camera caught his wife tugging his arm to signal that he should remain in place. As a questioning look crossed his face, Ken commenced to speak.
"Friends and family, Nancy has asked to say something else to say to her husband. She wishes to make a request to make to him and a vow before each of you."
Ken looked at Joe and continued: "Joe, Nancy has given much thought to what she is about to request and pledge. She has spoken to me about what she is about to say. She has also spoken to her mother, your son and daughter, and your parents about this. Before she commences I can attest that she has the full support of your children and parents. I am humbled by her act of love. I am therefore honored to add my support and that of your mother-in-law. Listen and respond with your heart."
The camera caught a look of concern cross Joe's face. The concern was not so much over what Ken just said but concern for Nancy as it was evident that she was again in pain. Being acquainted with the look Joe moved to hold his wife and have her take a seat. Holding up her hand she stated that she was fine and needed to continue.
The onlookers watched Nancy courageously gather herself. She spoke softly but confidently. "My Dearest, I have been with willing recipient of your love. It has flowed freely like an endless refreshing stream into my soul. You have been and will continue to be my passion and joy. When either of us have been away on business, my life feels so empty without you beside me. I feel lost without you beside me in my bed. I know my Dearest that you feel the same."
"Joseph, you graciously and loving received my greatest gift twenty-two years ago, my love and life. As I gifted you the dearest gift I possessed then, today I desire to give you the greatest gift available to me today."
"My Dearest you are a powerful lover. You have moved me repeatedly with your words, touches and kisses. You have unselfishly sated my womanhood with your manhood. We have both dreamed of growing old together watching our grandchildren grow around us. We have talked about to sitting together in our golden years arm in arm recalling our joys while still creating new precious memories both in and outside our bed. Alas we both know that my failing health will not allow for our dreams to be realized."
"You have been a faithful husband. You have always cleaved only unto me. Even in these last months when we have not been able to be intimate, you have not thought of turning to another. I know you will be lost when I have departed. I know that you could spend months or years in grieving over me and miss living." The camera caught Joe nodding his head acknowledging the truth of her statement. She took a half a step forward toward him. She held his hands to her breast as she looked into his eyes.
"I am happy to see that you know what I am saying is true. Now my Dearest, I know that you too love another." She paused as his eyes widened. His wife drew his hands to her mouth with one hand to kiss his hands while a finger from her other hand touched his lips to keep him silent.
Holding his hands against her breast she continued: "My dear husband, I know that she also loves you dearly. Along with you Jennifer has been my closest friend. She has been there with us throughout my illness. She has helped bath and comfort me. She has helped clean our home and cook our meals. She has done this because she loves me, and because she loves you. I know that before we dated you dated each other for five months. Joe, you were there to support her when her husband died. You have helped repair her home and do her taxes. You have been like a father to her daughter these last three years. The look of love that we see upon the faces of Terri and Will I see similarly upon your face and Jenn's. My Dearest husband, you two not only have my blessing but also my heart felt encouragement to wed one another. You are so right for each other, just as you and I have been my Dearest."
"You both mean so much to me. I have spoken at length on this with Jenn about what I am doing right now. I have also hinted repeatedly of this to you for the last two months. For both of you my desire is only for your happiness and joy. I only wish I were able to be present to witness your nuptials. Of course that is impossible.
Now to my gift. As I cannot be there to witness them, it is my desire to conduct an exchange of pre-nuptial vows. My vow is to allow and encourage your love for one another to bloom and grow during my last days. I want nothing less to witness your love for each other to flower before my eyes."
With that dressed in a white dress, Nancy kissed her husband. As the couple kissed, other than sounds of crying from friends and family, the room remained silent. Though the camera did not pick up all the words, its lens did record the movement of her mouth. Between the words and movement of the lips the viewer knew the message she quietly spoke to him, "this is my gift my Love. It does not diminish our love. You love her. Accept her love and give her yours. I am confident your love for me will not be diminished in anyway by this exchange of vows."
Nancy's head moved back before his face. Looking lovingly into his eyes. His nod indicated that he was accepting her gift. She knew though her husband would have some reluctance due to his loyalty and love for her. Yet knowing his heart she also knew he would not reject her gift if given this way.
Ken moved a little to the side to allow his sister to stand beside her. Ken then spoke, "Jennifer you have stood as your friend's Maid of Honor. It is time for you to move to Joe's side. Terri, you are invited to stand beside Jennifer in the Maid of Honor's position. Candy please join your mother by standing on the other side of Terri. Daniel is invited to join his father at his side." Rich, Joe's best friend stepped two steps over to allow Dan to stand beside his father. Dan he had known to expect this moment since his mother and uncle spoke to him two weeks before. As Dan moved into place Rich nodded and smiled to his own wife who was blowing her nose between her crying.
Once Dan was in place, Nancy took Jennifer's right hand and placed it into Joseph's right hand as they now were turned almost fully toward each other. Nancy placed their hands between hers as her brother held the text for her to read.
Before she could speak Nancy's widowed mother Ann stood. Nancy remained silent to see what her mother would say. When she first spoke to her mother about her intent Ann did not support her daughter's plan. Wives do not give their husbands away to another woman she argued. Yet Ann acquiesced when she listened with her heart. She understood why this was important to her daughter to do this for the man she loved more than life itself. Jennifer had been her daughter's dearest friend since high school. They were so much alike. Ann knew Nancy was right about her husband. She could see Joe, who she loved like her own son, could easily grieve for years as a means to honor his love for his wife. Joe would be existing, not living.
Momentary Nancy feared her mother would walk out. To her surprise Nancy moved toward Joseph's mother and father. Ann nodded to Lil as she too stood. Adam stood with his wife and moved forward with Lil and Ann to stand behind Joe and Jenn.
With a breaking voice Nancy started to speak: "Friends and family, you have heard my heart. This man and this woman whose hands are joined together are my dearest friends. Though they have not acted upon it they have quietly loved one another. Neither has been unfaithful to me in any manner. Their love has not been unvoiced to each other or openly. They have not acted beyond what one good friend would say or do for the other. On this my anniversary you have heard of my love for my husband and his love for me. As my days are measured I wish to gift to these my friends my love fully and completely as I can. I gift to them my approval for their love to bloom in the open. As your gift to them and to me I ask you allow and encourage their love to bloom and grow without concern."
Turning to her husband: "Joseph, will you cherish and love this woman with a similar devotion you have given to me? Will you sustain Nancy and respect her personal dignity as you have mine? Will you encourage and help her to be as fulfilled as possible as you have done for me? Will you give to Nancy your heart and soul in the same self-giving manner you gave them to me each day over these twenty-two years? Will you care for, encourage and protect her daughter as if she were your own daughter?"
When Nancy paused Joes looked at her. When his wife nodded, Joe said, "I will love her as I have you."
Turning to Jen Nancy asked: "Jenn, will you cherish, love my husband with similar devotion I have provided to him these twenty-two years? Will you help sustain and respect his personal dignity? Will you be there to hear his complaints and pains, to provide his meals and help care for his needs? Will you encourage and aid him to be as fulfilled as possible as I have so done? Will you give to Joseph the full devotion of your heart and soul in the same self-giving manner you gave them to me in our friendship? Will you care for and encourage his son and daughter as if they were your own?"
With eyes brimmed by tears she looked into Nancy's eyes. Just above whisper Jenn quietly affirmed, "Yes. I will love him and your children as mine. I will give them freely my heart." The image on the screen was shaking because Nan's brother Ian was fighting to hold back his tears.
Ian focused at that moment that Adam's hand was upon the shoulder of his son. He then turned to record that his mother's and Lil's hands were upon Jenn's shoulder. As the frame enlarged the view could see Nancy's eyes lock upon her mother's and Ann's faces as tears rolled down her face.
To Joe Nancy asked: "Joe, upon my passing will you take Jennifer as your wife, to hold her and cleave unto her, to be by her side in sickness and health, in times of plenty and want, in times of joy and sorrow, until your dying breath?"
Joe now crying replied: "Yes, I shall do so."
To Jenn Nancy asked: "Jennifer, will you take Joseph as your husband, to hold and cleave unto him, to be by his side in sickness and health, in times of plenty and want, in times of joy and sorrow, until your dying breath?"
Jenn could not speak but all saw her nod pronounce her "yes."
Releasing her hands from their hands Nancy then proclaimed: "Family and friends, you have heard their pre-nuptial vows. I give them my blessing and I hope that they will affirm their marital vows as soon as possible after my departure from this life. It is my prayer that their love will bloom fully and in every way mature love should be expressed."
"Joe and Jenn, to symbolize the statements of love that have been exchanged and to signify my desires for you both, I am gifting to Jenn one of my most dearest possessions to wear around her neck. Terri" With the pronouncement of her name Terri stepped forward and removed a long necklace from around her mother's neck.
When the necklace was placed in Nancy's hand, Nancy stepped forward and placed it around Jennifer's neck. Once the necklace was in place Nancy hugged her friend. Stepping back she took the ring on the end of the necklace in her hand saying, "hanging on this gold necklace is my engagement ring. Only my husband, children and wedding ring are more precious to me than this ring. Please wear it daily as a symbol of this day and my love for both of you and that I am gifting them all to you."
After kissing Jenn in a sisterly manner upon her face and lips, Nancy asked, "Joe and Jenn, you may kiss." They looked at each other before briefly kissing awkwardly.
Nancy cleared her throat, "that is no kiss for you two to kiss. I have invited you to express your love openly and I encourage it to bloom. Well, let it bloom away!!" Just before the video ended, Jenn and Joe kissed as lovers. As the eyes of Nancy and Ann brimmed with tears they cried, "that is better."
Ian almost ended the video a moment too early for in the last few seconds he caught mother and daughter embracing with Ann saying "beautiful and loving."
The video of that day five months ago still brought tears to her eyes. Nancy succumbed to cancer fourteen weeks later. They were all comforted that at least the last twelve weeks Nan was rarely in pain because of the medication on which the doctor put her. It would have been used months earlier but in the last stages, the high risk of damage to other organs was no longer a concern. Jennifer dried her tears as Daniel entered the room to ask, "are you ready?" With her face done, Jennifer straightened her bridal gown. Daniel beamed that he was escorting her to alter to be given in wedlock to his father as Joe had chosen another to stand at his side.
Joe's choice of who would stand at his side clearly broke with tradition. She readily agree that it fit with what happened on Joe and Nan's twenty-second anniversary. As she put her arm through Daniel's arm she nodded to Terri who would walk down the isle ahead of her to stand as her Maid of Honor. As she moved to the entrance she saw her beloved Joseph. Behind him was Nancy's brother who was to perform the ceremony. While it raised some eyebrows, she thought it appropriate that Ann, Nancy's mother, was standing to Joe's side as his "Best Person" and to her side was Candy, her sixteen year old daughter.
As she started to move down the isle, Jenn's right hand moved to the top of breasts. As she pulled out from between her breasts the golden necklace with Nancy's engagement ring, the bride recalled that ceremony as well as that first tender intimate night. As she moved further along the isle she saw around her beloved's neck a golden thread from which hung upon his chest at her request Nancy's and Joe's wedding rings. Nancy was so insightful and wise, their love for one another did not diminish their love for Nancy. Nancy's love for them and theirs for her would always be dear to them.