Page 68 of Love, Take Two

"This is the most elaborate wedding we've ever planned," I say around four o'clock, looking at our detailed timeline.

"It's the most important wedding we've ever planned," Vada corrects. "Our own."

"When you put it like that, it makes perfect sense that we'd go all out," I say, standing up from my desk to stretch. "Though I have to admit, I'm ready for next month to get here."

"You want to marry me that badly?" she asks with mock surprise.

"I want to marry you so badly that I planned a destination wedding showcase just so we could have the most incredible ceremony possible while building our business," I point out, which makes her laugh.

"Fair point," she agrees, then her expression turns more serious. "Emory, are you sure about this? The timeline, the pressure, all of it?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I say honestly, moving to where she's sitting and pulling her up into my arms. "The only thing I'm not sure about is how I'm going to wait four more weeks to call you my wife."

"Three more weeks after next Friday," she corrects, settling against my chest. "But who's counting?"

"I'm counting," I admit. "Days, actually. Twenty-eight days until we're married in paradise."

"You're such a romantic," she says, but she's smiling as she says it.

That evening, Maya calls for what she's dubbed "final coordination before the final coordination." She appears on our kitchen tablet looking organized and slightly manic in the way only Maya can pull off.

"Okay, lovebirds," she announces, "I've been thinking about your wedding non-stop, and I have thoughts."

"We're listening," Vada says, settling beside me with dinner and obvious amusement.

"First, the content strategy is brilliant," Maya says with obvious admiration. "You're basically getting married and launching the ultimate business showcase simultaneously. It's genius."

"We're pretty proud of ourselves," I agree.

"Second," Maya continues, "I've been coordinating with Stella about bridesmaid duties, and we're both prepared to help with any last-minute coordination while looking absolutely stunning in our dresses."

"Perfect," Vada says. "Though honestly, most of the vendors are so excited to be part of this that coordination is going smoother than any wedding I've ever planned."

"That's because you two are social media gold," Maya points out. "Everyone knows this wedding is going to be legendary."

We spend the next hour going over final details and timeline coordination. Everything is falling into place perfectly—vendor relationships secured, content strategy planned, family travel arranged, and most importantly, two people completely ready to commit to forever in the most beautiful setting imaginable.

"It's going to be perfect," Maya says when we've confirmed every detail. "Romantic, gorgeous, and the best business launch ever."

"That's exactly what we want," I say, taking Vada's hand because I can, because in four weeks she's going to be my wife. "Something that's completely us and completely professional."

Later that night, as Vada and I are lying in bed reviewing our final planning timeline, I catch myself thinking about howdifferent this feels from anything I ever imagined when I thought about getting married.

"What are you thinking about?" she asks, probably sensing my contemplative mood.

"Just that this is nothing like what I thought my wedding would be," I say. "And it's perfect."

"How did you think it would be?"

"Smaller, probably. More traditional. Definitely not a business showcase," I admit. "But this feels right in ways I couldn't have planned."

"Destination wedding in paradise with our favorite people while launching our careers?" Vada muses. "Yeah, it's pretty perfect."

"Plus we get to be married while running the business we built together," I add, which makes her smile.

"That's definitely going to be the best part," she agrees. "Being married while we help other people celebrate love."

As I drift off to sleep with Vada in my arms and our destination wedding just weeks away, I realize that some of the best things in life happen exactly the way you don't expect them to. We're planning our dream wedding, launching our business, and building a life together, all while creating content that will help other couples believe in love.

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