It’s the twenty-first of June, and today is the day my childhood crush becomes my husband.
We decided on a short engagement and a small ceremony at my parent’s cabin on Lake Mille Lacs. Only family and a few of each of our close teammates and friends were invited.
I know today is bittersweet for Griffin and me. We both mourn not having Katie and Catherine here today, but I can feel their presence, and I know Griff will, too, if he doesn’t already.
I’ve just stepped into the dressing room of our suite with my mom to put my dress on.
“Here you go, honey,” Mom says as she takes the dress off the hanger.
Untying my robe, I try to be as modest as I can by quickly stepping into my dress. But there’s not really a way around my mom getting an eye full of my bare chest and the scraps of lace I have on for later tonight.
Once I’ve stepped into the dress, I slide my arms through the delicate straps of the dress, and my mom zips me in before working on the buttons with a crochet hook.
The white trumpet wedding dress has a square neckline in the front with a plunging back enclosed by buttons that run along the curve of my ass. I know Griffin will appreciate the way the dress clings to and highlights his favorite feature of mine. The dress is made of crepe fabric, making it timeless and chic.
After the buttons are hooked, my mom helps put my cathedral-length veil encrusted with tiny pearls into my hair. I decided to keep my hair pinned half up, curled into loose waves down my back.
My makeup is natural, yet I feel more glamorous than I ever have.
I spin around and face my mom, taking her hands in mine.
“Oh, hun, you look so beautiful. I can’t believe this day has already come. I just wish Catherine were here to see her dream come true. She always said you and Griffin would end up together, and here we are!” my mom says as she brings me in for a hug.
“She’s with us today, I can feel it. She and Katie are both here.” Taking a few steadying breaths, I pull back and swipe my tear ducts before any can fall.
“You’re right, they are,” my mom says, bringing a small jewelry box from the pocket of her dress. “These were Catherine’s. Jack asked me this morning if I would give these to you.”
Inside the box is a pair of pearl drop earrings that match my veil perfectly. Tears flood my vision again, and the ache in my heart that comes with missing Katie pangs. These would have been hers to wear on her wedding day. I gasp. “They’re stunning.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I was also supposed to give you this.” My mom hands me an envelope addressed: To my son’s bride on the day of your wedding.
“What is this?” I question.
“I’m not sure. Jack gave it to me when he handed me the jewelry box.”
Turning the envelope over, I open it assuming it is from Jack. My breath hitches as I realize I was wrong. The letter is written in Catherine’s delicate handwriting.
To my dearest daughter-in-law on your wedding day,
I feel as if I know who you are as I’m writing this, or at least I hope I do.
Even though he’s still young, I know my son will choose a wonderful woman to be by his side one day.
How lucky are you to have found the one in my sweetest boy? And how lucky is he to have found a forever teammate in you?
I know as I write this that I will not be there with you on this special day, but you best believe I will be there in spirit, watching over the two of you.
I am at peace knowing my son has found his future in you.
Here are my hopes for the two of you: I hope you dance in the kitchen every chance you get—from a young age, my boy has always loved to cook. I hope you can cheer each other on from near and far, no matter where life takes you. I hope you give my dearest husband, Jack, as many grandkids as possible—I know he will spoil them rotten, but he does it out of pure love. I hope you are able to grow old together—and learn to fall in love again over and over at each new stage of life. There will be hard times, heartbreak, and devastation, but you’re stronger together. I hope you’re tender with my son’s loving heart, and I hope he is unwavering in his devotion to you. But most of all, I hope you can find peace in each other’s arms like I have with Jack.
I may not know you, but I love you for loving my son. Today you will be surrounded by love, including mine. Happy wedding day, my sweet daughter-in-law.
Love always,
Catherine
My mother stands beside me, tears streaming down her cheeks, matching my own.
