Last Chance to Run

In the shadow of Egypt Mountain, at the edge of the green field surrounded by the brilliant reds and rusted hues of the swamp maples, the wedding guests were seated on hay bales under the white tent greatly anticipating the arrival of the bride.

The groom stood near the arbor nervously awaiting his wife-to-be. With the support and encouragement from the justice of the peace and his best man, he fought the urge to teater to the ground.

“Let’s get this show on the road. I can’t stand here much longer.”

No sooner did he utter those words, did the tractor that was carrying his bride come into earshot. She was on her way.

The crowd stood to get a glimpse of the white beauty, only to be screened by a rust-colored drape held high by the nephews of the groom. Meant to keep the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing one another until she began her walk down the aisle toward her future husband.

As the music began, the son and daughter of the bride and groom made their way to the arbor. The groom was overjoyed and busted out in laughter as his handsome little man, dressed in a black and camouflage tuxedo carried a homemade sign that read, “Last Chance to Run.”

The guests echoed the groom’s response and the nervousness of the couple began to float away on the light breeze.

As the music faded, the maid of honor, the ring bearer and the flower girl all made their way to their ceremonial destinations.

All eyes then turned to the back of the tent, the drape was lowered and the bride was unveiled.

Though time had taken strength from her grandfather and forced him to walk with a cane, she entwined her arm in his, balanced her bouquet of sunflowers, grown by her groom, and the two made their way, supporting one another on this most blessed of occasions.

The brother of the bride was asked to read the words of a poem in remembrance of those that were attending in spirit and as the bride and groom made their vows to one another for their long life ahead, their friends and family witnessed two hearts becoming joined as one in the eyes of God.

In the arms of one another, they exchanged their first kiss as husband and wife and were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Jason Coolidge.

With prayer stones in hand, each guest gifted them back to the couple with a special and personal prayer for their years to come, and congratulated them on their milestone.

The wedding party then climbed on board the hay wagon, the brother of the groom towed them away with the orange farm tractor reflecting the autumn colors, and “Last Chance to Run” was teetering at the edge of the hay.