The long-awaited day finally came. The air was filled with joy, and laughter rented the room. Looking at the décor, one could tell that it was done not just by a skilled hand but also with generous financial backing. The faces in the room were lit with excitement. Everyone had gathered for Tony and Rose. Today was their big day. The groomsmen and bridesmaids were all present, ready to celebrate this special day with their friends. Relatives were also present. Both invited and uninvited guests had come to grace the occasion because it was a big wedding.
The couple had known each other for six months. Tony was not in any hurry to get married until he met Rose, who changed his decision for good. They found love in each other. They loved each other so deeply that they believed six months was enough time to know each other, and they decided to tie the knot and start a home. Their parents consented to the union, and they decided to take it to the church for the final blessing.
Rose was led by her dad down the aisle. Her wedding gown, a golden-white ball dress with a net yoke and fine beadwork, hung perfectly on her body. This was complemented by a beautiful makeover that blended with her skin colour. She wore a long veil with a tiara attached to it. She looked splendid and beautiful. Her groom couldn't get enough of her beauty. He wasn't bad-looking either.
As Rose was being led to the altar to take her vows, their eyes locked. The tension in the air kept growing as the couple prepared to exchange their vows. They had promised to remain committed to each other, but today's atmosphere felt very different.
She finally reached the altar. The priest blessed them, and they began to exchange their vows.
That moment wasn't ordinary for Rose. She suddenly realised the sacredness of the vows. She had attended weddings as a single girl, so how come she had never felt the same way about those words as she did now?
As she repeated the words after the priest, she listened carefully and pronounced each word correctly. In sickness and in health, for better or for worse... until death do us part!. Yes this was it
Those words had always sounded like ordinary lines to her whenever she attended weddings. But today was different. She was no longer a spectator watching two people make promises to each other. She was the one making those promises, and Tony was the man she had chosen to spend the rest of her life with.
Suddenly, the weight of her words began to sink in.
In sickness and in health? For better or for worse?
She certainly did not want any of those unpleasant experiences. She wanted a beautiful marriage, a happy home, and a life filled with love and laughter. She wanted to grow old with Tony, making beautiful memories together. But what if life had other plans?. What if Tony fell seriously ill? What if they faced financial difficulties? What if, somewhere along the line, they discovered things about each other that made loving each other difficult?. They had known each other for only six months. Yes, they loved each other, but was love enough? Had they truly understood each other? Had they learnt enough about each other's weaknesses to know how they would handle the difficult days?
For the first time that day, Rose felt a little frightened. She was not afraid of Tony, nor was she regretting her decision to marry him. She was simply beginning to understand that marriage was more than the beautiful wedding dress, the exchange of rings, the celebration, and the happiness she felt at that moment. It was a commitment to remain, even when remaining became difficult.
As these thoughts raced through her mind, Tony's face drew closer, bringing her back to the present. The priest had just announced, "You may kiss your bride!" What a moment!!. She smiled shyly.
Rose let go of her unsettling thoughts and allowed herself to enjoy the moment. She loved Tony, and she wanted to believe now one, about to start a family. Not just a family but a happy one as rose had earlier thought.