Date: Wed, 26 May 2010 10:44:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Edward Bradley Subject: Steven and Mikey I can't believe this day has finally come. As we planned, and talked and giggled about this time, it felt like forever away, but now, here I stand. Our last week of high school over, and now we begin our new lives together. I wish we had chosen different outfits, because I KNOW when I walk out there, my white silk shirt is going to be streaked with my nervous sweat. All I can think of as I anticipate meeting him at the altar is this room is full of his friends and family. I have to watch my feet. I CAN'T embarrass him in front of his people on this day. But, as I began to move towards the door where I would begin my walk to meet him in the middle of the isle and join our lives forever, I realized, in a few minutes, these will be MY people too. He is giving me everything I ever dreamed. He is giving me himself -- a gift more than I could ever deserve or dream of, his beautiful, kind, funny, sweet, caring self. But more than that, he is giving me his life, his history, his family, his friends. He is giving me a place to belong. I bring nothing but me, and he is satisfied. What a man he is to me. I hear the guitars begin and I open the doors to make my journey away from loneliness and failure to love and acceptance. I can't trip. I am watching my feet because I am such a clutz, especially in these new sandals. I look up, and stop. I can't breathe or move. Out of the other door, he is coming to me. He is beautiful. His dark hair framing his beautiful face. His eyes sparkling with the joy that brings me life. His body draped in the white silk shirt buttoned to the collar so that it accentuates his sexy neck. I can tell he's nervous by the way he holds his head and the pulse in his neck, but no one else would ever know. My god come for me. He sees me stopped, and smiles to me as he comes farther than he's supposed to and takes my hand, leading me back to the altar. My love always goes farther for me than he should. As the music ends, the pastor steps forward. He is still holding my hand, and I don't want him to let go. As we say our vows to each other, I hear the words but more I see the commitment in his face. My heart is his forever, my body his, my soul belongs to him alone. As we leave this place and walk hand in hand down to the beach to celebrate with our friends, I thought I would want to run right off and begin the honeymoon, but I realize sharing his life and celebrating with his friends is as much an act of unity in love as being joined in bed. And besides, we have many nights to come, but only one wedding celebration.