Post by Being Ready And Stable (BRAS) (@brashub)

NNEKA'S DIARY XXXI

Grace was my chief bridesmaid. Mary was my flower girl — she had been practicing her walk for weeks, and she took her job very seriously.

Priscilla was there too, in a lovely blue dress. She had offered to help coordinate the day, and I accepted.

And then the music began.

I took a deep breath and started walking down the aisle.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe.

Kunle was standing at the altar. He was wearing a milk-coloured suit, simple and elegant. His head was high. His hands were clasped in front of him. And when he saw me, his face broke into the most beautiful smile.

Time stopped.

I don't remember walking. I remember floating. I remember the congregation rising to their feet.

I remember thinking: I am going to marry this man. This man who made me laugh at a party. This man who mourned his wife with dignity. This man who showed up at my gate with roses and a promise.

I reached the altar. Kunle took my hand.

"You look..." He shook his head. "I don't have words."

"Then just look at me," I whispered.

"I've been looking. I don't plan to stop."

The pastor asked us to face each other.

The Vows

We had written our vows ourselves.

Kunle went first.

"I, Kunle Micheal Olukoya, take you, Nneka Juliet Ezihe, to be my wife."

His voice cracked on the word "wife."

"I promise to love you — not as a replacement, but as an addition. I promise to honor you, to protect you, to laugh with you, and to pray with you. I promise to be a good father to our children and a good husband to you. I promise to never stop choosing you, even when choosing is hard. This is my vow. Today and forever."

I was crying now. So was Grace. So was half the church.

"I, Nneka Juliet Ezihe, take you, Kunle Micheal Olukoya, to be my husband."

I paused to breathe.

"I promise to love you with my whole heart — the parts that are healed and the parts that are still healing. I promise to be a mother to Mary, not as a replacement, but to add to the love she already has. I promise to stand by you, to fight for you, and to never let fear make me run. I promise to choose you every single day. This is my vow. Today and forever."

The pastor smiled. "By the authority vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife."

"You may kiss your bride."

Kunle lifted my veil and kissed me softly, gently. It was a long kiss — the pastor had to stop us.

The church erupted.

To be continued ….

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