S tanding in the foyer of Harrington Christian Fellowship, Amber prayed she wouldn’t cry from the sheer delight of the occasion. Though it took thousands of years to create fossils and only time could produce ancient artifacts, she had found something far more valuable in Brandon, and it had only taken a few short weeks.
In the same time, God had restored her relationship with Him and with her brother. Her joy was profound.
“You’re the most beautiful bride in the world, Amber.” Michael lifted her hand and kissed it. “I’m more than privileged to walk you down the aisle.”
The special moment came and someone opened the double doors, exposing Amber to the small gathering—signaling her to begin the once in a lifetime walk. Familiar faces—Cams, Muriel, and Gladys—smiled from the pews, as well as other friends. Claire from Brandon’s Bible study played the wedding march on the organ as Amber took the customary rhythmic steps alongside Michael.
In her wildest dreams, she couldn’t have imagined that her summer would end with a proposal. Wearing a tuxedo, Brandon stood at the end of the aisle, looking handsome beyond words.
She’d been packed and ready to leave for the fall semester at UND, but she and Brandon decided they wanted to marry as soon as possible. So, she’d taken the fall semester off to spend time with her new husband. Brandon had been invited to teach at UND in the spring, an offer he accepted once she had accepted his proposal. She recognized it as a sacrifice of sorts that he’d made for her, to be with her. She had a feeling—or maybe she’d seen the signs—that they would both end up back in paleontology, a love they both shared. She liked the idea of digging in the dirt with their children.
Before she realized it, she stood next to Dr. Brandon Selman. In her peripheral vision, she could see his sweet, elderly parents sitting in the first row, smiling, his mother wiping her tears.
They spoke their vows, and finally, Pastor John said, “You may kiss the bride.”
Brandon’s lips held the promise of his love, and Amber knew that a lifetime together, refined by time and pressure, would produce a marriage beyond price.