She sees Molly emerge from the beach house ahead that they had rented for the reception. She walks down the stairs leading from the deck to the beach, to the end of the aisle. Shane’s breath catches in her throat. She was an absolute vision of beauty in her flowing, white, organza gown, which accentuated her womanly curves. Woven through her golden brown hair, that was swept up and away from her neck and face, were the sweetest smelling gardenias she could find.

Shane’s eyes meet Molly’s and a single tear streams from the corner of her eye, down her cheek. Wiping it away, she smiles at Molly, who returns her smile with an even warmer and brighter one. Accompanied by Leonard and Phyllis on each arm, she seemingly glides down the aisle, as Sophie carries her train behind. As she gets to the end of the aisle, Leonard and Phyllis each give their daughter a hug and a kiss. They then turn to Shane and embrace her as well. Leonard and Phyllis take their seats as Shane takes Molly’s hand and leads her to the officiant.

They turn to face each other and Shane takes hold of Molly’s other hand. They exchange glowing smiles, as they eagerly wait for the officiant to begin the ceremony.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiant begins. “We are gathered here today to celebrate in the joining of these two lives.” As she continues on, Shane and Molly stare into each others’ eyes, anxious, yet excited, to pledge their love to one another. “Shane and Molly have opted to exchange their own vows. Shane, would you like to start?”

Looking to the officiant and then to Molly, Shane nods. “Molly, I don’t even know where to begin.” She drops her head for a moment, looking at their hands entwined together. She smiles and picks her head back up and looks Molly in the eyes. “I never thought that I would ever find love; that I would ever find someone who understood me and accepted me; that I would ever find that person who completed me; but then, I met you.” Molly smiles, as she rubs her thumbs across Shane’s hands. “That first moment I saw you, I knew that my life would never be the same. You challenge me. You inspire me. You move me. Every day. You are my partner in all that I do. You are my family. You are my future. I love you more than you will ever know.” Deeply touched by Shane’s words, tears stream down Molly’s cheeks. Smiling, Shane wipes away Molly’s tears and whispers, “Shhh, baby, don’t cry.”