Cade:Kresley James Anderson. Soon you will change your name to Kresley James Grantham. And just that thought makes my heart beat so hard and fast that it makes it difficult to think. It was hard not waking up beside you this morning, but it will make it that much sweeter when I get to carry you home tonight, our home, and walk inside with you as my wife. Don’t stress out and let your sisters and Grace take care of you. I can’t wait to hear from you that you’re awake and ready to get the show on the road. I’ve prepared a few surprises for you today to make it special and show you my love. Can’t wait to see you at the end of the aisle baby. I’ll be wearing the linen suit and peacock blue tie. See, I do know colors. Kisses, Cade.
Kresley: Good morning hubby-to-be! Thank you for the sweet message. I’m so excited for this day. We’ll belong to each other. Finally. It’s been a wild few months, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing if it got me to this day and marrying my best friend. Shhhh, don’t tell Grace I said that. Love you more than words can say. See you at the end of the aisle. I’ll be wearing Ivory.
Kresley smiled so big that she thought her face would break. Francie came in to the bedroom at that moment and rolled her eyes. “Lord, you and Big Sexy are such saps. I can see the love rolling off you in waves right now. He must have sent you a good morning text or something”. Kresley merely nodded her head and showed her the text. She saw Francie read it as her eyes misted a little.
“I wish mama and daddy could be here to see you walk down the aisle. I’m sorry daddy can’t walk with you. But I think it’s precious that Jaxson asked to do it since daddy isn’t here and is in heaven”, Francie stated, sniffing loudly as she wiped away tears.
“It definitely made me cry when he brought it up to his mama and me a few days ago. I wish mama and daddy were here, too. But Cade made sure they are in the best way by making sure their picture is on a table at the ceremony, along with his parents. I love that man”, Kresley stated wistfully.
“Okay, enough of all of that. We have a wedding venue to get to. Let’s load up after taking showers and get on the road. We’re following behind Birdie and she’ll have Gertie, Grace and Jaxson with her. I figured you would want some quiet time in the car and Birdie is a lot to take even on a non-stressful day.”
Kresley laughed at that and hugged her older sister tight. They stood there for a moment, then went their separate ways to shower and get ready to go. The drive to the wedding venue at Lake Windsor was uneventful except for Birdie needing to stop her vehicle a few times to take pictures.
The day flew by fast, everyone hurrying to get ready. The one positive thing about using this venue is that they really did take care of everything. Kresley hadn’t had one stressed out moment leading up to the ceremony. She knew that she and Cade’s guests, all 100 or so of them, would love the scenery, plus the air conditioning. Summer in Georgia was just plain hot. Cade had promised her some surprises during the day and he hadn’t disappointed. Two dozen pink roses were in her dressing room when she arrived, smelling heavenly. A sweet card saying, Meant to Be sat cradled within the buds. Next came a delivery from Boomer, a beautifully wrapped box that contained a beautiful pair of teardrop earrings with small diamonds and pearls. Kresley eagerly put them on and they were perfect with her dress. The last surprise was the best of all. It was a small silver broach with a locket type face on the front. Kresley opened the locket and cried. She was glad she hadn’t put on mascara yet. Inside the broach locket was a small picture of her parents and on the opposite side a picture of Cade’s mom and dad. A note came with it that lovingly told her the thought behind his gift.
My sweet Kresley, just a reminder to pin close to your heart, inside of your dress. It’s to remind you that both of our parents are with you and I today, no matter that they aren’t here in the flesh. I know my mom and dad would have loved you so much and your parents would have loved me, I think. Keep them close by as you say I do. You’ll feel them there in spirit. Love, Cade.
All the women got choked up at reading the note and looking at the broach. To try to lighten the mood, Birdie asked again, “Are we sure that Cade doesn’t have any brothers or cousins out there?” The females laughed loudly at that and went back to getting ready for the day.
Kresley got dressed, putting the final touches on her hair and makeup. She took one final look in the mirror and walked out of the inner dressing room to the main room where all the other girls and Jaxson were gathered. Kresley heard the women’s indrawn breaths as she emerged.
“Oh, Kres. You’re gorgeous!”, Birdie stated, fidgeting with Kresley’s flower bouquet she held in her hands. Kresley had decided to pull her hair up into a sophisticated twist, with her veil clipped to the back with crystal encrusted clips. The veil was short, and only trailed down her back midway. The dress was just as beautiful as she remembered.
“I agree with Birdie, I’ve never seen you look lovelier”, Francie stated,
