“It’s ok Dana, you’re gonna be fine,” Shane said and I smiled, “look at my little Dana, growing up and getting married.”

“You’re gonna be in my shoes soon.”

“I know, you and Lara and especially Bette and Tina are my role models. I never thought that I could be in a great relationship and make it work. I’m lucky to have friends like you guys,” she said.

“Thanks Shaney waney,” I said and hugged her.

“Dane, they’re ready,” Howie said coming back in. I started to breath heavy once again.

“Come on boo, let’s get you married,” Shane said holding her hand out.

As I was being led from my room outside, the knots in my stomach grew tighter. I breathed slowly to calm my nerves, my father joined me and sensed my tension and he held my hand and patted it with the other. He smiled at me which helped calm me, and then I heard the music play and I held my breath as the we turned to face the isle. There were a little less than a hundred people, we wanted to keep it as small as possible, but when making our invite list we realized there were a lot of people we just couldn’t leave out. Everyone turned and looked at me and I immediately felt my face flush. My father and I walked down the aisle of beautiful star gazer lilies and smiling faces. As I made my way to the alter, I tried my best not to cry. We stopped just at the steps and my father kissed me on the cheek and I got choked up because when I turned to look at him, he had started crying.

“Don’t do this to me,” I whispered in his ear, my lip quivering and the tears building.

“I’m sorry Dana, you don’t know how long I’ve waited for this moment. I don’t care if you’re marrying a woman, I am proud of you and so very glad you’re happy,” he said as the tears ran down his cheeks.

“You’re gonna ruin my make up,” I said and he laughed, I kissed him again and he went to sit, I turned away from the audience and took a deep breath to will away the tears. I turned to see Howie walking down the aisle with Nikki on his arm, Lara’s brother, Joey with my sister, Shelly on his arm and Shane with Tasha on her arm. We tried to keep the wedding as traditional as possible so my “groomsmen” including Shane wore black suits and ties and like my groomsmen, I went with a black pants suit, with a while shirt and a black tie and I wore my favorite black pumps. I never felt comfortable wearing dresses; I thought I looked very awkward in them. I smiled as my beautiful baby and Danni tossing flower petals on the ground and on the people, their petals having no sense of direction. Everyone was tickled by the girl’s flower throwing. Following behind them, my nephew B.J., carrying the rings. He made it to the alter and gave Howie the rings and sat on the steps, everyone laughed and Howie made him stand. After a couple seconds, “cannon in d” started playing and I nearly fainted in nervousness. The guests stood as she rounded the corner and there she was, in the most beautiful white dress. For a whole second my world stopped, everything was in slow motion. Lara floated down the aisle, smiling the whole way. I couldn’t believe that I was this lucky to have found someone who wanted to be with me forever. Why me? What was it about me that made this woman so happy walking down the aisle, in the most gorgeous dress, prepared to give her life to me? The answer was simple, she trusted me. She trusted me with her life, and her daughter’s life. The love that I felt in that moment radiated from every fiber in my body. Her father had her on his arm and I could see his eyes clouded with unshed tears. It seemed like it took Lara forever to get to me but she finally made it and the music had stopped. She looked at me and beamed the hugest smile at me and I couldn’t help but smile back.