Hitched 2

 

The Church is so skillfully decorated: a masterpiece out of a fairytale. There is no seat without a person on it. The hall full to the brim that it spilled, overflowing outside of the building. The people didn't mind that they were outside as long as they got to be part of this particular wedding. 

The Groom is standing on the altar as handsome as ever, his caramel skin and honey brown eyes radiating the joy that wells up in him to overflowing, his hair all done, and his best man standing beside him, the bridesmaids and grooms men flanking them on both sides. My Pastor standing at their back on the altar.

The keyboard begins to play, and Chikerenma walks into the hall in the arms of her father holding a microphone and singing a love song she had written to serenade her husband on this occasion. The song was so rhapsodic that there was no dry eye inside the church and beyond. 

She gets to the altar, and her father hands her over to Mr Right, whose beautiful honey brown eyes now have a very light tinge of red from his emotional reaction to her song. They both turn to face the pastor.

"Beloved, we have all gathered here today to witness a miracle, the joining together in holy matrimony, of Miss Chikerenma Ndubuka and Mr Right.

When a man receives Christ, a miracle   happens; and today we are witnessing the miracle of marriage: two people coming together to become one flesh. The Bible says, " Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh."  The congregation says, Amen.

The couple have written something to each other; they will say it to one another in the presence of God and us all.  Mr Right smiling at Chikerenma begins. 

"Chikerenma, as your name: God created beauty. You are beautiful to me in every way. You are a queen fit for a king. You are my friend and you are my love. You came into my life, and everything changed for the best. I recognize that you are God's special blessing with my name on it. I know that God loves me so much cos he gave me Jesus, and he also gave me you. A woman who loves the Lord with all her Spirit, Soul, and Body. Your fierce love and loyalty never ceases to amaze me, and I thank God that you are mine. I am excited to take this journey of life with you, and together, we will fulfil God's divine purpose for our lives. I am of all men, blessed because God gave me you. I vow this day in the presence of God and our friends that I by the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the name of Jesus, I will love you the way that God has made for husbands to love their wives. In a few more  minutes, you will become Mrs Right. I love you with all my heart, my queen, my love, and my friend. 

Chikerenma's eyes are already tearing up in response to The Vow made to her. She sniffs, trying to comport herself as she makes her vows. 

My King, My twin brother, since I already have a twin sister ( everyone laughs) and my friend.   You are the  fulfilment of Eph 3:20. Growing up, I knew the qualities I wanted my husband to possess, and I prayed to God about them. Today, you are the manifestation of what I asked God for. I say here today in the presence of God and our friends and family that I am truly blessed to have you in my life. 

I am and will always be to you, the manifestation of the Pro. 31 Woman. 

Love, they say, is like wine that gets sweeter with age, ours is more than that because it is founded on the Christ and his love.

I am excited as well to take this journey with you as Mrs Right, knowing that He who has brought us together is also able to keep us till the day of his coming. Amen. 

I respect and love you with all of me, My King, Twin brother, and friend. 

There was an eruption of sniffing with different intensity, white handkerchiefs spread across the hall as people dabbed their teary eyes with it.  The emotion was so tangible that you could cut it with a knife. 

My pastor, exhaling deeply, continues. " With that being said, 

Mr Right, do you take Ms Chikerenma Ndubuka as your wife, to love her even as Christ loves the Church, to protect her and care for her: to stand with her in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ in health, prosperity and joy; and also to stand with her in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ against sickness, poverty, and death all your lives?

Mr. Right answers with a dazzling smile on his face. "Yes I do,"

 

Ndubuka Chikerenma, do you take Mr Right as your husband, submitting yourself to him as the head of this union, to stand with him in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ in health, prosperity and joy and also to stand with him in the gospel of Jesus Christ against sickness, poverty and death all your lives?

Chikerenma flashing a million-dollar smile answers "Yes I do"

My pastor says, "Turn to him and make this profession of your faith

I, Chikerenma Ndubuka, according to the word of God and the statement of my vows, hereby join myself to you, to be your wife. From henceforth, we shall be one.

Mr Right wink at me and my pastor catching the gesture tease him. Young Man, I see you are eager and enthusiastic. Just hold your horses, okay? 

He blushing replies I can't help myself Sir, cos I've waited all my life for her.

Yeah, I can tell. Smiling, he continues 

A ring is a never- ending cycle, made out of precious metal that indicates an unending love, it is a special gift of trust, a token of engagement and a seal of the vows that you both have made to each other today.

May I have the bride's ring. He collects it and hands it to Mr Right.

Take this ring, place it on her finger and say this to her “with this ring l thee wed, l give it as a token of my love and my faith. I believe with all my heart that this is for all the time. It is the seal of my vows to you in the name of Jesus” The congregation agree with their Amen.

I begin to blink, trying to hold back the tears threatening to run down my face. Mr. Right looks at me sneakily teasing me with his eyes. 

My Pastor in on the tease laughs 

addressing the congregation. You know these 2 people are wonderful people.  They have been speaking volumes to themselves standing here in my presence.  They can sell you if they choose to. Everyone laugh.

I like that both of you can understand yourselves beyond spoken words.

May I have the Groom's ring.  He collects it and hands it over to me. 

Take this ring, place it on his finger and say this to him “with this ring l thee wed, l give it as a token of my love and my faith. I believe with all my heart that this is for all time. It is the seal of my vows to you in the name of Jesus” The whole congregation chorus their Amen followed with claps and whoahs.

For as much as Mr Right and Chikerenma Ndubuka, have consented together in Holy Wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this congregation and hereto, have pledged their love and faith to each other by the giving and receiving of rings, l pronounce in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that they are husband and wife together from this day forward.

The congregation break into a joyous uproar as they pronounce their prayers and blessings. 

Now the moment we have all been waiting for, and I bet the Groom have waited the most.

The congregation chorus their reply in claps, whistles, woahs, aaaahs and what not. While all this was happening,  Mr Right give me a look that has naughty written all over it.

Finally men and brethren,  Mr Right,  you may now kiss the Bride. 

The People are overtaken by enthusiastic excitement as Mr Right with that same naughty gleam in his eyes kiss Me.

The floodgates of emotions break open and that naughty part of Me sing the climatic part of the song 🎵And I will always love you!!!!