I was surprised that I made it through my vows without crying. As I held Lara’s hands I could feel her shaking. She had tears streaking down her face, and I reached up and wiped them away.

“Now we will hear Lara’s vows,” the minister said and smiled.

“Dana I…” she started, her voice cracking, I gave her a reassuring smile and nod, “when my husband died, my whole world came to an end. From that day on, I thought that I’d never love again. I went through life believing true love only comes once in a lifetime, until I saw you. I have loved you from that moment; you took my broken heart and mended it. When I see you with Bex, my heart feels whole. She loves you so much and I can’t believe that I have found someone who loves me with all my imperfections. You’re the one I want to grow old with. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together and getting to know the woman you will become and falling in love a little more every day.”

I heard some sniffling from the guests, but I was still focused in on Lara. I just wanted to shout at the top of my lungs how much I loved her. I remembered how magical Bette and Tina’s wedding was, I stood there hoping and praying that one day I’d be there too. And here I was, committing myself to the woman I love.

“Before we get to the exchange of the rings, I would like to read a passage from the book of Ruth chapter one verses sixteen through seventeen, ‘But Ruth said, do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.’ Amen.”

“Amen,” echoed the guests.

“Amen,” Lara and I repeated.

“Now for the exchange of the rings,” the minister said, and knelt down and B.J. handed the rings over and handed one to me and to Lara.