Marriage Moats- The Wedding Day- Part 12

Published: Tue, 06/12/12

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

(If you want to hear Lori read the story click)here

The days leading up to the wedding flew by. Mona sometimes felt overwhelmed by the details and expectations swirling around her, but she also felt a stability from all the time she and Harvey had spent with Marjorie and Larry. They had met with their mentor couple three times as well, and felt surrounded by people who loved them.

The wedding itself was a blur of laughter and tears. Her niece Chelsea stole the show when she bolted down the aisle tossing flower petals behind her. Later she explained that she was in a hurry to eat the cake covered with strawberries. With so many people in the church she was worried it would be gone. Rev. Soneson calmed Mona's nerves, though, when he paused for what felt like a long time at the altar, welcoming the two of them with his warm smile and crinkly brown eyes. They had already grown close to him. He had answered so many questions, inspiring them to build their marriage from the ground up and the heavens down. She squeezed Harvey's hands intensely.

When they arrived at the reception, there was already a table full of beautiful gifts. Mona and Harvey were too busy to open them immediately, but there were three that seemed unusual and caught her eye. A large glass jar sat like a king on top of the pile. It had a flamboyant red velvet bow with curly ribbons cascading down, and one crisp dollar bill inside. Mona laughed when she saw it. It must be from another couple Larry had married. There was a net draped over the corner of the table, with two small dolls in leotards tucked inside. Peeking out of an envelope were two tickets to the circus, which was playing in the city where they were going for their honeymoon.

Among the many speeches after dinner, Harvey stood up. He was, oddly enough, wearing boxing gloves. He talked about how much joy Mona had brought to his life. Then he read a short limerick to her.

Mona likes to hold hands and to squeeze.

Her strength makes me weak in the knees.

I love you so true,

But I wonder if you

Could hold me less tight, won't you please?

The room erupted in laughter and Mona giggled until her sides ached. Harvey wrapped her in his arms and smiled mischievously. He heard a patter of cameras clicking.

It was a good beginning.

The end.

Photo by Chara Odhner

you can support us at