“Bette. Bette Porter.
Bette, you are everything to me. You are the friend that binds this beautiful community together.
Your fierce passion inspires me – inspires all of us to stand boldly in our convictions and fight for each other when no one else will – and to Love with everything we have.
Bette, you are my first, my second, and my third love.
And today, I vow in front of our friends, our lovely daughter, that you will be my last.”

Bette only noticed she was barely breathing when the crowd’s giggles infiltrated her high. She exhaled before her fingers gingerly removed the red ribbon from her vows to Tina.

“Tina Kennard…”

Bette’s insides were trembling.

“Your name still gives me butterflies.”

Tina’s chin quivered, her chin dimples flirting in response to Bette’s soft melodic voice. As Bette leaned closer to her, tears filled her eyes making the little tree lights dance like fireflies.

“From the moment I met you my soul has burned brighter. You are the sun at the center of my universe. You are my home.
Our friends know you are the one they can tell their deepest secrets to because you will always meet them with acceptance.
Thank you for your warmth, wisdom, and steadiness.
Thank you for Angie.
Thank you for that smile that makes my heart leap with joy.
And thank you for loving me.
I vow to love and care for you, for the rest of our days, with all that I am.”

Both women smiled through their tears, each beaming within a magical reality.

Alice, Shane, and Angie stood beside them, witnessing their endearing promises through their own glossy eyes. Alice elbowed Shane when it was time to give their friends their rings.

“With this ring I thee wed.” Tina slid the ring onto Bette’s finger, wrapped her thumb over it, and encircled her hand over Bette’s. Bette exhaled deeply, a sigh of contentment as Tina replaced everything that had been so achingly missing from her world.

“And with this ring I thee wed.” Bette never wavered from Tina’s hazel eyes. Tina’s joy emanating in a crisper shade of green.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

And as Alice pronounced them “married for life” the only thing each woman thought of in the moment they kissed, officially remarried, was everything is perfect now.