The wedding took place a short eight weeks later. Rachel had feared those eight weeks would drag by, but in fact they flew. There was so much to do, and she felt a lightness in her heart that she’d never known before.
They married in her parents’ yard, under the tall oak tree. She wore a lavender dress with a matching lavender apron. Her kapp was brand-new. Family and friends and church members filled the benches that had been set up across the grass. Caleb’s parents sat in the front row with her parents. The event would last all day and include lunch, dinner and games for the youngies. A long table on the front porch held the gifts that those attending had brought—dishes and sheets and towels and more than one quilt. They would be living with Caleb’s parents at first, but Rachel knew the items would come in handy.
Although many Amish couples did not take honeymoons, they had opted to travel to Niagara Falls, a place she’d always longed to see. It helped that there was a large alpaca farm in the vicinity that they both had an interest in visiting.
Rachel was looking forward to the trip, but even more than that she was looking forward to returning to the quaint house in Montgomery, Indiana. Caleb had already begun work on a sunroom, for when the days turned dark. “Plus you’ll need a place for your shop,” he noted.
She planned to offer not only her sheep yarn and finished projects, but also alpaca yarn and Ida’s crocheted items. Their days would be full and, hopefully, Gotte would bless them with many children.
Morning sunshine fell through the trees as she and Caleb stood in front of the bishop. Caleb looked terribly handsome in his black suit—a traditional Amish suit that appeared to be brand-new. It wasn’t what he was wearing that pierced her heart, but the way he looked at her.
“Do you, Caleb Wittmer, and you, Rachel Yoder, vow to remain together until death?” Bishop Joel studied them both over his reading glasses. He wasn’t old as bishops went—not nearly as old as Bishop Amos—and yet there was a quiet wisdom about him. He had been a calming, guiding presence in her life, especially since she’d returned home. She was suddenly grateful for him, and so glad that he was presiding over her wedding.
“We do.”
“And will you both be loyal and care for each other during adversity?”
“We will.”
“And during affliction?”
“Yes.”
“And during sickness?”
Caleb squeezed her hands.
“We will.”
Joel tucked his Bible under his arm and covered their hands with his own. “All of those assembled here, as your frienden and family in Christ, and I, as your bishop, wish you the blessing and mercy of Gotte.”
There were shouts of “Amen” and “Praise Gotte” and even “Hallelujah.” Rachel gazed up into Caleb’s eyes and felt as if his love was showering over her, covering her, blessing her.
“Go forth in the Lord’s name.” Bishop Joel turned them to face their guests. “You are now man and wife.”
Her mamm was crying. Miriam was trying to shift baby Stevie to her left arm and clap at the same time. Becca and Clara were practically hopping up and down, and Ethan and her dat looked proud enough to bust a button. Ida was crying and John had his arm around her.
They walked back down the aisle, through the gathering of family and friends, and Rachel knew that this was a day she’d never forget.
After the ceremony and before the luncheon, Caleb whispered into her ear, “Care for a walk in the garden?”
Which was exactly what she needed to hear.
Her mother’s vegetables were knee-high, and the flowers were a sight to behold.
As soon as they turned the corner in the garden, Caleb pulled her into his arms.
“I love you, Rachel Yoder.”
“Rachel Wittmer now.”
“I love you, Rachel Wittmer.”
And those words were all she needed to hear to make her day the perfect memory. Their first Christmas together would be one that she would always remember, as was their first meeting, when she didn’t know who she was and Caleb hadn’t a clue as to how to deal with a pushy, moody stranger. But her dreams and hopes and prayers were filled with their future together—future Christmases, possibly dark days and certainly days of joy. The stuff of life, and she was ready, finally, to embrace it.
Keep reading for an excerpt from An Amish Christmas Promise by Jo Ann Brown.