Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hadley held her index cards in her hands as she and Finn sat at the small table in their room. Each sipped from a Just Married mug that Miss Phoebe had gifted them. Though they had written their own vows, it wouldn’t have been possible to exchange them in front of the crowd of friends and well-wishers at the ceremony. So now, in the privacy of their room, they would exchange their vows, the truths they had written for each other. She took a deep breath and laid her hand over Finn’s.
“Finn, I’m pretty sure if you looked up the definition of patience in the dictionary, it would just be a picture of you. Since the very first time we met, you made me feel seen and heard, even on days fear kept me from actually speaking. You demonstrated great determination and dedication every day that you woke up and worked on helping me heal, first from my parents death, then from other’s ugly actions and words, and finally from the injustices my parents caused me. For the first time in my entire existence, I’m thrilled to be writing a speech where I can share everything I’m feeling and thinking. I know that is only because of you. On days my words were jumbled and I needed to over explain things, you waited patiently and helped me sort through the hundreds of worries bouncing around in my head. On days where I had no words, you sat with me in my silence and loved me anyway. You’ve never demanded I fit into some mold society created for me, but you removed any obstacle, any person, who hindered me from being my genuine self. When I couldn’t find my worth, you reminded me how much I mattered. When I couldn’t find my purpose, you helped me look for it. When I was willing to settle for less, you reminded me of all the ways I was worth more. You have kept me from accepting less than what I deserve and every day that you believed in me, you helped me believe in myself too. You have been the greatest blessing God’s ever given me. Thank you. Thank you for all the things you’ve done for me. I love you so much and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. So today as we exchange vows, I want you to know every vow I make is because you’re given me the courage to promise them to you.
I vow to always communicate openly with you. I vow to treat myself and you with the same respect you give to me. I vow to always do my best, put my best foot forward, and spend every day of my life demonstrating my love for you. I vow to give myself to you and only you for the rest of my life and love you forever and always,” Hadley read, her hands shaking with each word said.
When she finished reading her vows, she looked up at Finn and found him wiping his eyes. “That was beautiful, Peep. Thank you,” he said. He gripped her hand and helped her stand before pulling her onto his lap. He kissed her mouth softly and brushed her curled hair back from her face.
“I mean everything I said, Finn. It’s because of you that I am where I am today. You changed my life for the better the first day we met.”
Clearing his throat, Finn kissed her neck before setting her on the table in front of him. He pulled his own vows out of his suit pocket and kissed her hand before he began.
“Hadley Elizabeth, the first time I saw you I felt such a magnetic pull that it scared the shit out of me. I was at my lowest, darkest place and I didn’t think there was a way up. I hurt. I hurt so damn bad. I’d just lost the only family I had left in this sometimes cruel world. You walked into grief counseling in a bright pink jumpsuit and have been a bright spot in my life ever since. You often tell me I saved you, but you have no idea how you changed my life, little one. You gave me a reason to still try and see the good in the world. You taught me to have hope, no matter the circumstance. You gave me a reason to strive to be my best self and never stop growing. You believed in me in every circumstance I faced. You make me feel invincible and I know with you by my side I can do anything. I have loved you for a long time, and I promise to keep loving you with every fiber of my being. I promise to care for you rather it be mentally, physically, or emotionally. I promise to put your needs above mine. I promise to see you and hear you every day for the rest of our lives.”
Tears spilled from Hadley’s eyes down her face and Finn kissed them away. “That was beautiful.”
“Just like you. Today was the best day of my life and I know there are going to be many more wonderful days ahead for us.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, Peeps.”
“Forever and always, Daddy.”
“Forever and always, Peeps.”
The End