The weather forecast predicted a forty percent chance of rain. But as the early morning sky laid a canvas for the sun, I arose to the dawn of a beautiful day. After months of meticulous planning and preparation, I was ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime. On that twenty-sixth day of February I was going to marry Jerome Leon Wilson. And as I sat up in that cherry oak canopy bed, I came to the sudden realization that my life as Kim Desir would cease to exist after that day. But in that very same moment an overwhelming sense of joy came over me as I visualized my very own happily ever after.
As I reminisce about the day’s events, a third person point of view tends to emerge. The make-up application, hair styling, dressing, and even posing for photos- all play back like a whirlwind of activities that took place during a sort of out of body experience. The old red brick home that my family and I shared such great moments in, that up until that day served as an oasis of calm, was bustling with bridesmaids, flower girls, cosmetologists, photographers, and extended family members.
So overwhelmed was I by all the excited commotion in the family room, I quietly made walked up the stairs and my way into an empty bedroom where I came face to face with my reflection. Standing in front of a full length mirror, I saw myself in that white dress, beautifully adorned with my grandmother’s jewelry, and was brought to tears. I quickly reached for some tissue and gently wiped my eyes, careful not to smear the mascara that had been applied earlier, and wondered at my unexpected flood of emotion.
And the conclusion drawn was that I was, for the first time in my life, crying tears of joy. I was going to be a wife. For as long as I could remember, I had wanted nothing more than to share my life and dreams with another. And one of those dreams was on the brink of becoming a reality. I gathered my bearings and began making my way back down to the family room. When I reappeared, the videographer immediately came over and asked if could record a quick video message. I agreed and after setting up the equipment, he asked, “What would you like to say to Jerome right now? He asked a simple question that received the simple response of, “I love you. ” He continued recording, obviously expecting a more in depth response, when after a few moments he slowly looked up from the camera smiling, and said, “That was perfect. ” It was perfect. I had embraced an understanding that there was nothing greater than love. And since my relationship with Jerome was established in a great friendship and unconditional love, I looked forward to our future together with great optimism.
Everything about that day was going according to plan. In two midnight black stretch limousines we drove to the church where the ceremony was being held. As the limousine doors opened and everyone began spilling out, I could hear the music that I selected for the prelude, coming from the church. We entered the church foyer and stood outside the double doors leading into the sanctuary. And after what seemed like forever, I was finally walking down the aisle, with my father at my side escorting me to my future husband.
When my father and I reached the front of the sanctuary, Jerome, forgetting the order of ceremony, moved out of turn to take my hand. The presiding minister lightly joked, “He can’t even help himself. Hold on now. You’ll have your whole life with her. ” Everyone laughed. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful. The traditional exchange of vows that I would hear at other weddings as a child, took on a new meaning. I had gone from single to married, and happy to very happy. On that day Jerome and I had become one and I was now Kim Wilson.
