I couldn’t think of anyone or anything more perfect.

“Welcome to all who have gathered here this evening to share in this marriage ceremony of Beau McIntyre and Mackenzie Morre,” she begins as everyone takes a seat around us. Most of our guests are from the club, with a few new faces from Missy’s Place.

“These words, spoken today between Beau and Mackenzie are indeed important and sacred, but they are not what joins these two together, nor is this marriage ceremony. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but to acknowledge and celebrate a lasting bond that already exists between them. Beau and Mackenzie have already joined their hearts and chosen to walk together on life's journey, and we have come to bear witness to a symbolic union and a public affirmation of the love they share.”

She pauses, letting it all sink in, but I’m too lost in Beau and his eyes on me. I’m barely keeping up.

“Mackenzie and Beau, the pledge you make today expresses your devotion to one another and to the love you share, and the words spoken here will support your marriage if you are able to sustain your commitment through the inevitable hardships you'll face together. Today, in the presence of your families and friends, you pronounce your love for each other and make a commitment that will define the next phase of your journey. The vows Mackenzie and Beau recite today have been written by them. Written from the heart and spoken to the soul. Beau, would you like to go first?” She looks to Beau first. Beau nods, then clears his throat before beginning.

“Mackenzie, you know me better than anyone else in this world and somehow you still manage to love me. There’s still a part of me today that can’t believe I’m the one who gets to marry you.” He reaches forward and wipes away a lone tear as it falls down my cheek. “When I held you in my arms that night in the back of the van, something in me clicked. It’s as if my body knew you were mine before my heart did, but then I let you go. I drove away when every part of me told me to stay. I’m never letting you go again, darlin’. Today, I choose you as my family. I promise to love you without reservation, and communicate fully and fearlessly. To never hurt you in anger and to always hold you with care. I have no greater gift to give but my word. As your trust is my strength, accept my heart as your shelter and my arms as your home. I give you all I am, and all I shall become.”

“Oh God, that’s so beautiful.” I lean forward and whisper so only he can hear.

“No, you’re beautiful.” He smiles down at me before I’m told it’s my turn.

“Mackenzie, please recite your vows,” Brie interrupts our chat, causing a soft chuckle from our guests.

“Beau,”—I steady my voice and hold his hand tighter—“because of you my feet dance, my heart beats, and my eyes see. I laugh, I smile, and I dare to dream again. You’ve saved me in more ways than one.” My voice wobbles and I take a second to gather myself.

“You’re doing good, darlin’,” Beau encourages, bringing me back.

“You showed me what love feels like and because of that, I choose you to be none other than yourself. Loving what I know of you and trusting who you will become, I promise you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, and my tender care. Through the pressures of the present to the uncertainty of the future, I promise to always be faithful, to love you with actions, not just words. From this day forward, you won’t ever walk alone. As you have given me your heart to hold, I give you my life to keep.”

“I love you,” he whispers leaning down and kissing me before he’s meant to.

“The rings?” Brie shakes her head at our inability to stick to the rules. Nix steps forward and hands Beau the rings.

“Beau, please take Mackenzie’s hand and repeat these words after me. I give you this ring as a symbol of our love.”

Beau takes my hands and looks down at me. “Mackenzie, I give you this ring as a symbol of our love.” His rough voice washes over me as he slides the gold band down my finger.

“For today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come. Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day.”

“For today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come. Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day.” He brings my hand up to his mouth and presses his lips to my ring.

“And know my love is present, even when I am not.”

“And know my love is present, even when I am not, darlin’.” I smile at his slip in of darlin’.

“Mackenzie, please take Beau’s hand and repeat these words. I give you this ring as a symbol of our love, for today and tomorrow, and for all the days to come.” I follow her instruction word for word, while keeping my eyes firmly on Beau, only taking my eyes off him to slide his ring on his finger.

“Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day. And know my love is present, even when I am not.”

“Wear it as a sign of what we have promised on this day. And know my love is present, even when I am not.” He winks down at me when I look back up.

“Mackenzie and Beau, you have professed your love by exchanging your vows and you have symbolized your commitment by exchanging rings. With those two important things out of the way, there are a couple of questions I need each of you to answer.” Brie smiles at both of us before turning to Beau.

“Beau, do you take Mackenzie to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”