Steps to Marriage

Today is the day. The girl in the church is nervous because it's time for her to take the steps to something new.

First step: Lace it up.
Intertwine the ribbon along the back to hold up this pale cluster of material that weighs heavy on her chest.
Intermingle the thoughts of a lonely life before today with dreams of what may be.
Pull together the fabric of sparkling wishes.

Second step: Breathe and listen.
 Breathe. A song she knows by heart plays. Did you ever realize there is only a slight difference between the soundings of the words "musician" and "magician"? Quiet ironically so, for there is magic in melodies. Even now it is felt in this old song she hears.

Third step: Open doors
Large wooden doors swing open, revealing to her a multitude of people there to support her on this day. Another deep breath before committing to the descent down the aisle. Everything will change after passing through these doors.

Fourth step: The heart
It beats faster with every step. Her pulse rushes bringing a pink-ish tint to the flesh on her cheeks. Suddenly, her legs freeze and she stops. All eyes focus on the halted figure. The magic leaves as the music stops and tears cloud her vision. The air in the room chills and all is silent as a lion waiting to pounce it's meal. With nothing to listen to, nothing to see, and nothing more to feel, she knows.

Step 5: The eyes
More specifically: his eyes. Those deep-colored eyes that were once where she could find dazzling constellations were now reflective glass, proving nothing more than an illusion. She knows her own sapphires are beginning to resemble lakes as one tear escapes.

Step 6: Standing
She wonders if she has any more steps in her. Standing resilient, she knows she can go down the aisle no more. She looks up.
Up.
Up the aisle, she runs. Through the doors, down the hall, out of the building, across the street, her feet press into the ground and the material of her skirt bobs around her hips.

Step 7: Walk
She slows down when she has found a quiet road with a forest on either side. The birds whistle in the trees. They, unlike people would, do not stare at her white gown that is muddy at the hem. The sun shines, but is clouded through a flood of tears.

Step 8: Encounters
Many drivers of cars pass by her, all wondering why this bride is walking alone but none daring enough to ask.  She keeps walking, sniffling here and there, occasionally looking over her shoulder wondering if she should go back and explain the sudden escape, each time deciding to walk on finding peace near the trees. The birds sing her a hopeful morning song.  No one knows why a bride would be walking down the road alone.

Step 9: The Vow
Walking the road, she became glad. Glad because she had not promised her life away to someone who had proven himself unfaithful. She continues her walk between the hard road and the whimsical forest toward home. A promise burst from her lips that she will always remember this day.

(I do not own this picture.)