You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.

Saint Augustine

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Sabina

On the fourth Saturday in May, Antwone and I sit side by side, along with fifty or so of Miles’s and Ellyn’s closest friends and family. As we wait, I look up and see blue sky peeking through the top of the cathedral—the canopy of cypress branches. The branches sway in the spring breeze and sunlight dapples the cathedral floor, reminding me of the day not so long ago that God met me here and called me unto Himself.

Sitting here now, I’m staggered by the changes that have taken place since that day. When the bonds of shame are broken, freedom soars.

I reach over and grasp Antwone’s hand, then lean in and kiss him on the cheek. “I love you, baby.”

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. We are not the only ones soaring today—nor are we the only ones wooed by romance.

Twila sits in front of me, her hand clasped in Will’s—they lean, heads together, and whisper to one another. There is, as of last night, a thin platinum band with a small diamond on Twila’s left ring finger. They announced their engagement, at the urging of Miles and Ellyn, at the rehearsal dinner last night. The dinner was a formality, as there was little to rehearse for this simple ceremony. Rather, it was a time for those closest to Miles and Ellyn to affirm and celebrate their love.

Nerissa sits on Twila’s other side. Her left arm drapes around Twila’s shoulders. The ring Nerissa wears on her left hand also speaks of love and commitment. She’s committed her life to her eternal Bridegroom. I notice her eyes are closed and I imagine she is enjoying this moment with Him.

My thoughts are interrupted by the singing of violin strings signaling the beginning of the ceremony. Miles and his pastor walk down the middle aisle and take their places.

Then Ellyn appears.

She walks into the grove and stands at the back.

The friends and family gathered all stand and turn to watch her. Before I turn, I wait to see the look on Miles’s face. I see such joy there . . . and maybe even a hint of awe.

As I stood with Ellyn just a couple of hours ago and fastened the dozens of small, pearl buttons up the back of her dress, we talked of nothing.

And of everything.

Once the dress was buttoned, Ellyn turned toward me. “How do I look?”

Her face glowed—a hint of peach touched her cheeks and lips. Her sea-glass green eyes shone beneath thick lashes touched with dark brown mascara.

“You’re breathtaking.”

She smoothed the antique white dress over her ample hips and then turned to look into the full-length mirror in the room. She adjusted the bodice of the dress. “Too much cleavage?”

“No. You know just how to take advantage of your curves. It’s lovely and appropriate. Though, it might distract Miles a bit.”

Ellyn blushed. “Well, let’s hope so.”

I gave her a hug then. “Oh, my friend, we’ve come a long way, haven’t we?”

“Yes, we have.”

“You were and are God’s gift to me, Ellyn—my dearest friend.”

“Likewise. All of this . . . I don’t think it would ever have happened if it weren’t for you.”

“Oh, no. I’m not taking the credit for any of this. This is about you—your willingness to follow God and do the hard work He called you to do. This is His doing . . . and yours.”

Tears of joy glistened in her eyes.

“Oh, no, you don’t. You don’t cry. You cry and you ruin your makeup. You hear me?”

Rosa walked in and took over. Someone needed to be in charge. She reprimanded Ellyn and then she stood on her toes, reached up and put her hands on Ellyn’s cheeks, and kissed her forehead. “He’s a good man. But if he don’t take good care of you, he has me to deal with. And you know I told him that. He knows.” As she talked she fussed with Ellyn’s dress and her bouquet.

I stood back and watched. How like God to provide a mother hen for Ellyn, especially today, when her own mother, who refused the invitation to the wedding, won’t be here.

“Now, go. Go! De photographer is waiting . . .”

Ellyn

I stand at the back of the cathedral and wait for the music signaling me to walk down the aisle between our guests. Though the cathedral is full, all I see is Miles. While I know he is surrounded by the beauty of creation—the grand cypress trees and the view of the ocean beyond—it is invisible to me today.

Instead, my gaze is drawn to Miles’s face—he is the creation of God I see. And soon, he’ll be my husband.

My husband. Words I thought I’d never utter.

When Miles sees me, I watch emotions cross his face. What I see in him, through him, is the reflection of God.

Is the reflection perfect? No.

But it is splendid, nonetheless.

Lord, let Miles see the same in me. Let him see Your image, in and through me. Now and always.

As the music plays, I feel as though I float down the aisle.

The bonds of shame are loosed, and I soar.

When I reach Miles, I see tears in his eyes. He takes my arm and leans down to whisper in my ear. “You are beautiful, Ellyn. I love you.” His voice is thick with emotion.

The pastor opens his Bible and reads the passage I chose from Ezekiel:

“‘When I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine.’

“‘I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry . . . you were adorned with gold and silver . . . Your food, fine flour, honey, and . . .’”

The pastor pauses. “. . . butter.”

Our guests erupt in applause.

“This is the Ellyn DeMoss version we’re reading from today.”

Miles looks at me, his delight and love so evident. My breath catches, and tears well. I mouth I love you to him and hold his hand tight.

The pastor continues. “‘You became very beautiful . . . because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

Miles

With Ellyn’s hand in mine, I listen to the words the pastor reads. So appropriate. God has made Ellyn’s beauty perfect, inside and out. I look down into her sea-green eyes and wink. She squeezes my hand in response.

Lord, thank You. Thank You. Several years ago, just after losing Sarah, I thought a moment like this was impossible. I knew I’d never love again. The ache of loss was all I could feel. Yet, here I stand today, my heart full with a rich and mature love for the woman by my side. A woman, I smile to myself, who I find irresistible.

The pastor closes his Bible. “We are gathered here today to celebrate the love between Ellyn and Miles, who will now share their vows with one another.”

Ellyn takes a step closer and gives me her other hand. We stand facing one another now. I hear her take a breath and then listen in awe at God’s goodness.

“Miles, I am created in the image of God and I am made beautiful by His splendor. Today, I vow to embrace my splendor and share it with you for all of my days . . .”

Sabina

As Ellyn continues her vows, I look beyond her to the opening at the end of the grove, where that picnic table seems to sit on the edge of the world. The water in the distance is a deep, dark blue today, broken by the pure white of the foaming surf. The view is framed by the cypress trees, leaning in, branches stretched in a protective embrace over this ceremony.

The grandeur, the splendor of His creation, is nothing compared to that of those gathered here. Those who walk by themselves without wonder. And those, like Ellyn and Twila, who understand and claim their God-given splendor.

I’m roused from my revelry by the sound of clapping and laughter as Miles leans down and kisses his new wife for the first time.

His beautiful wife.

Created in the image of Almighty God.

Ellyn

As Miles vows his love and commitment to me, I stand in wonder. Through this man, I’ve seen a side of God I never knew existed. And tonight, as we become one, not only will my intimacy with Miles deepen, but so will my intimacy with God. I will know Him not only as Father, Savior, Friend, Provider, and Protector. But I will also know Him as Husband and Lover.

Through Miles, God will love me and continue to reveal Himself to me in new ways.

After we exchange rings, we are finally given the go-ahead to seal our vows with a kiss. Miles bends to me and I reach and put my arms around his neck. The scent of the cypress trees and the salt of the surf mix with the warmth of his cologne making for a heady, enticing scent.

His lips on mine are soft, warm, and tender, as always. We linger for just a moment and then pull back from one another, though our eyes remain locked in an intimate gaze. Then I reach for him and kiss him again.

And again.

Because, honey, this man’s kisses are better than anything I’ve ever tasted.

Even butter.