Saturday, June 30, 2018

In the Name of Love

I'm getting emotional just writing this. June 16th, 2018 was indescribably beautiful! My dear friend, Margaret got married. I was honored to be a reader for the wedding ceremony. Here's how it went:

I went to the rehearsal dinner and realized that it was mostly family in the wedding. There were only two friends in the actual ceremony and I was one of them. That really made me feel like a treasure.

Margaret and I were roommates for two and a half years and I love this friend to the moon and back. My first words to Eddie were, "who", as in, who are you and why are you in my home? Margaret quickly followed behind Eddie and explained they were on a date.  After introductions, I looked at Margaret as if to say give me some heads up next time.

Eddie quickly had become a frequent visitor in our house. I liked Eddie's character very much and he would fix my wheelchair anytime he could which I appreciated. Eddie is a paramedic and Margaret works with foster kids so I knew their hearts were with people who were forgotten and lonely. They both simply have hearts made of gold. Needless to say, I was witnessing a love story. When they were going on a trip together, she and I know that she would come with a ring. Bless his heart, Eddie was as transparent as Saran Wrap. I squealed when I got the call!

On June 16th, I sat next to the musician who was my confirmation sponsor and frequently mentioned in the blog, Kevin. He never ceases to have my back in any situation. The rehearsal went well. However on the actual day, the videographer was going to completely be in my way when I went up to the altar. We both took on the issue and it was was quickly resolved.

Kevin started the ceremonial music and I was so nervous. Usually, public speaking is my bread and butter. I was nervous because when I am doing a motivational speech and something goes wrong, I use it as a teaching tool. I don't want to even be thinking about teaching tools at a wedding; neither does anybody else. I don't want my disability to steal the spotlight; that day the spotlight belonged to Margaret.

Thankfully, it went off magically. I ended up being six inches away from the bride and I was choking back sobs. You usually want to look at the audience while speaking but I couldn't take my eyes off her. We were looking as each other as I read from the Bible. It was a perfect moment.

Another moment I will never forget is I was about to take communion and she says to the priest, "break it". A whole host in my mouth is difficult for me. Margaret remembered that on her wedding day; that made my heart swell with pure joy.

The rest of the wedding was wonderful. I love celebrating love. Love is why we have the wonderful world we do. It can seem so dark but when we choose to love, the world lights up.

Readers, I love you with all my heart.

Do something in the name of love today,
Hannah!

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