There was a buzz around Red Oaks Christian Fellowship that following Sunday after Valerie sang two solos. Her soprano voice, although velvet-edged and strong as always, seemed to possess a certain sweetness it didn’t have before. Her voice brimmed with joy. Every member who paid attention to her body language and the words she sang felt the sunny feeling that came deep from her soul. Notes were passed from member to member, up and down the pews, gossiping about how Valerie and Norman kept beaming at each other with open fondness—and it didn’t have anything to do with her watching him for musical cues.
Sister Brown saw them winking at each other, and Sister Terrell whispered to Sister Jackson that every time Valerie looked at Norman, she’d blush, and he’d smile like the proverbial Cheshire cat. None of the members were stuck on stupid or parked on crazy; they knew something was up, but they didn’t know what.
Right after the choir sang, Mother Maybelle sashayed down the long aisle to the pulpit, moving with feline grace and charm. No one else had that kind of carte blanche to interrupt the morning worship service, so when she did, everyone braced themselves because they knew whatever she had to say would be good.
Adjusting the mike at the podium to her height, she ran her hand along her periwinkle silk dress studded with tiny pearls. “Pardon the interruption, church, but I couldn’t hold this in a minute longer,” she began. “Y’all know I’m like an old refrigerator: I can’t keep nothing.”
The congregation laughed, because if they didn’t know much else, they knew that was certainly true.
“First, giving honor to God who is the head of my life, and my pastor, Reverend Terrance Avery, I’d like to say that I am glad to be in the house of the Lord one mo’ time ’cause He brought me from a mighty long way.” She waited for the chorus of amens and hallelujahs to wane, then she continued. “My dear son, Norman, and our soloist, Valerie, were engaged on Friday night. I know y’all probably noticed that something was different about her today. Well, she’s a woman in love who’s promised to one of the last good men left in Red Oaks. I want them to stand up, and y’all show them some love.”
The congregation stood and applauded, except for a few jealous young women who’d failed to land Norman; they sucked their teeth in disgust. The organist broke out with a few bars of the “Wedding March.”
When Norman and Valerie told Mother Maybelle about the engagement and swore her to secrecy, they hoped she wouldn’t say anything. They wanted to be the first to reveal their happy news. Despite the fact that she was a busybody, they loved her dearly, so all Valerie and Norman could do was smile openly. They weren’t at all surprised that Mother Maybelle had outed them and put their business on Front Street.
“The wedding date hasn’t been set, but y’all can bet that they’re going to have the best wedding that Red Oaks has ever seen!” she bragged like any proud parent of the bride or groom. “I’ll have the details printed in the bulletin as soon as everything is set, because I know they’ll want the whole church to share in their joy. Ain’t that right?” She looked over at the happy couple, who shook their heads in agreement, knowing that they were obligated to invite their church family since Mother Maybelle put them on the spot.
Grinning, she said, “Please be sure to check out that rock Valerie’s wearing after the service. Like our young folks love to say, ‘it’s the bomb!’”
The next few months were an endless round of parties, dress fittings, and pre-nuptial social events. First, there was their engagement party; then the bridesmaids’ luncheon, two bridal showers, the rehearsal dinner, as well as the various trips to Jordan Marsh and other stores to shop for Valerie’s trousseau, china, silver, and crystal settings. Between those appointments and activities, Valerie also had to attend mandatory pre-marital counseling with Reverend Avery at the church.
Valerie wanted to marry Norman more than anything in the world, but she never dreamed that there would be so much planning before the wedding. She was so tired her nerves throbbed. She felt drained, achy, and exhausted. The night before her wedding, Valerie slept for twelve hours, waking up feeling fresh and exhilarated, and knowing that she would’ve been a basket case without her parents and Mother Maybelle’s coordination of her big day. She drew in a sigh and prepared to marry the man she loved.
The sun shone warm over the colorful array of country flowers and shrubs surrounding Red Oaks Christian Fellowship. The fragrance of tea, roses, daphne, pine trees, and, morning glories hung in the air. The cloudless sky reached out and over into the land. The August day couldn’t have been more perfect for a wedding. The only thing to match its beauty was that of the bride and the wedding party.
The sanctuary was nearly full with friends and family of the bride and groom, church members, and local press. The sound of several carefully selected inspirational love songs filled the air. The guests couldn’t stop talking about how pretty the church looked, decorated with white lilies and calla lily arrangements, pew corsages, and white taper candles burning by the altar. White tulle and satin ribbons adorned all of the doors and entryways.
The female audience members’ hearts skipped a beat as Norman and his best man took their places at the altar. Each of them was resplendent in his black tuxedo and tails—especially Norman, who was about to jump the broom in a matter of minutes.
The wait was finally over when the organist played “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” as Valerie’s sister and two cousins marched down the aisle. Accompanied by Norman’s brothers and a cousin, the women were lovely in their midi-length pastel pink bustier dresses. Everyone stood on the first bar of Wagner’s “Wedding March,” and their jaws dropped when they saw Valerie. Blushing with a glow that only a bride truly in love could have, she was graceful and opulent in her ivory Oleg Cassini gown with a cathedral train.
At the sight of his gorgeous bride, Norman looked at her with reverence. His pupils dilated. He shot a flitting glance up and down her body, drinking in every inch of her, basking in the knowledge that Valerie would soon be his wife.
Witness sang a musical tribute to Valerie and Norman, and a touching praise dance was performed in their honor. Reverend Danforth prayed for the couple, wished them well, then turned the wedding over to Reverend Avery.
“Marriage is not an easy thing; it’s a life-long commitment between two people who vow to become one heart, one soul, one flesh,” he said. “The best foundation from which to start a marriage is friendship. If you work on maintaining the friendship, the marriage will fall into place.”
Valerie stared adoringly at Norman as Reverend Avery spoke to them. She heard nothing he said, as she was too busy thinking about what she wanted to do to Norman on their honeymoon. Hot waves swept her belly at the fact that she was marrying the most wonderful man she’d ever known, and it wasn’t a dream. She loved Norman with everything inside of her, and Valerie knew that there wasn’t a better man anywhere. She was grateful that she’d decided to give in to love and not let Norman get away.
Reverend Avery cleared his throat, and Valerie focused on the ceremony. She gave Norman a knowing wink. Then, they both nodded in agreement with Reverend Avery’s charge and sage advice. After, they said their vows, exchanged rings, took Holy Communion, sealing their vows, and lit the unity candle, marking their two souls becoming one.
“By the power vested in me by the state of Georgia, I now pronounce Norman and Valerie, man and wife,” Reverend Avery concluded, smiling with pride. “Norman, you may now salute your bride.”
Nearly exploding with anticipation, Norman picked Valerie up a few inches from the ground, his mouth closing over hers. Their tongues dueled in a fiery melody that put the final seal on the vows they’d made to the Lord and to each other. Valerie returned his kiss with one full of passion, hunger, and need.
Reverend Avery laughed. “It’s a good thing y’all are married. Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to present Mr. and Mrs. Norman Lawrence Grant.”
The church clapped and cheered for the happy couple—especially Mother Maybelle, who let everyone know that Norman was her son, and that she now had a beautiful, God-fearing daughter-in-law that she loved as her own.
The reception was in full swing in the foyer at the Red Oaks Museum of Art. The usually plain, but large, space was transformed into something almost magical with the help of a well-dressed bridal table, fine linens, china, silverware, crystal, the best soul food in Red Oaks, a champagne fountain, old school R&B music, and a Viennese dessert table.
The tears that Valerie hadn’t shed at the wedding flowed freely at the reception. She looked in Norman’s eyes and saw only love in them. Even the air seemed to hold its breath. She couldn’t believe that everything she ever wanted was wrapped up in one man. Norman held her close to his firm, muscular body for support. Everything in his life was perfect.
As the reception progressed and the cake was cut, Valerie tossed her bouquet of hydrangeas, eucalyptus, dogwood blossoms, and berries to the single women. The room burst out in a cacophony of laughter when Mother Maybelle caught it.
“This here bouquet has nothing to do with me,” she quipped. “I’ve had enough husbands.”
Right then, she had more important things to do. She went up to the makeshift podium area and took the microphone. “Norman and Valerie, you need to say your good-byes and get ready to go to the airport. Your luggage is packed and in the limo. My wedding gift to you is a ten-day honeymoon on the French Rivera. It’s the best place I know to get a marriage started right. Now y’all go and handle your business and start working on making me a grandbaby.” She hugged and kissed them, the three of them sobbing with happiness. She walked away, smiling as bright as the Georgia summer sun, knowing her work was done.
“Are you ready to start your new life with me, Mrs. Grant?” Norman teased, raining gentle kisses on Valerie’s face and neck.
“Now and forever.” She looked up at heaven and thanked God for blessing her with her soul mate. She reassured Norman that she was his in every possible way, and that she was deliriously happy that he believed in second chances.