I took a minute then to scan the faces of all the other ladies and men in blue
for the day and realized that it was true for everyone seeing them happy seemed
to have made the same true for everyone, there was happiness and pride and joy
etched on everyone’s face as Rachel finally completed her journey down the
aisle to reach the woman she would finally and fully reclaim as her own today.

It was as true with these two as it was in my relationship and in Bette’s the one
that everyone thought was the strong one, including ourselves from time to time
never really stood a chance once our hearts were captured. From that day on the
more mild women took control and there was little we could do about it so as
much as Andy seemed in control it was definitely Rachel who was pulling the
strings and staking her claim today.

For her part though Andy just looked like she couldn’t be happier and as they
turned to face the justice of the peace to begin the ceremony all seemed to
settle in the back yard to allow peace for just a few minutes while they
declared their love.

——————————————————Libby———————————————-

She looked so relaxed more relaxed than I had ever known her as she was asked to
state the vows that she had written, I knew she had been stressing over this
but it was as if in the moment it all became clear for her and she spoke
flawlessly and beautifully to the woman that she loves.

            “Rachel, I have spent countless hours trying to form words that can do justice to today
and to the way I feel about you. Hours that bore no fruit and only clumsy
attempts at a statement of the love I hold for you. Until now, today as I saw
you it was like all the fog lifted and I just knew. I knew that I had come home
to the place I was meant to be, that my heart residing next to yours, being
held in your hands and protected by your love was the only place it was ever
meant to be. I know now that in lifetimes to come and ones already past my
heart has always meant to be right there and as such I stand here today in
front of all these people whom I love and declare that I will do my best to
love you and honour you. To build a foundation that cannot be shaken to grow
our family and fulfil all your desires until I draw my last breath and we meet
again in the next life. I make that vow not only today but every day to you
that in short I will be your wife and your partner for this day and all others.”