Page 113 of Husband of the Year
I can only imagine the variety of blended families Patti has encountered, yet I wonder if she has ever come across one as unique and wonderful as ours.
After filling out some paperwork, and lots of checking boxes and stamping forms from Patti, our license is issued.
“Now, let’s get you two married.”
Standing at the counter in city hall, with our family behind us, Olan and I listen as Patti reads off her paper, and it’s all a blur as my head does its best to stay afloat. She asks us if we want to be each other’s wedded husbands and we’re told to exchange rings. Olan measured my finger weeks before he left for Chicago. Even before the change of plans, he wanted to be in charge of buying them. He takes out two boxes, hands me one, and winks, which sends my insides tumbling.
I flip the box open to a platinum ring. It’s not too big, not too small, but the perfect Goldi-ring.
“Marvin, repeat after me…” Patti instructs.
I listen carefully, holding the ring, rubbing it between my fingers, the cool, smooth metal soothing my nerves.
“With this ring, I thee wed, as a token of my love, faith, and loyalty.”
I slide it onto his ring finger, and he gently squeezes my hand. My heart swells with an abundance of boundless love.
Olan repeats the same line and places his ring on my finger. Another grasp of my hand, and this time, he doesn’t let go.
“By the love that has brought you here today,” Patti says, slowing down so everyone hears, “and by the vows you have pledged, surrounded by your family, by the authority granted to me by the State of Maine, it is my extreme honor to now pronounce you… Husband and Husband.”
There’s some light clapping from behind us, and I’m pretty sure I hear a few sniffles from my mother.
“Kiss!” Illona shouts. “Now you kiss.”
Olan leans over and when his lips land on mine, my eyes close and I have a flash of our first kiss. In my old one-bedroom apartment. He took me home after babysitting Illona. When he made a pass at me in the car, I bolted upstairs like a shlemiel, forgetting my backpack in his car. He brought it up to me. He was adamant he wasn’t leaving my apartment until he kissed me.
And now we’re married. Husbands. Thank you, Lord, creator of the universe, for bringing this man and his family into my life.
When Olan and I turn toward our group, there’s a flurry of congratulatory hugs and kisses from everyone. When a loud ding interrupts, Jill pulls her phone from her purse.
“Sheldon.” She rolls her eyes. “They’re waiting for us at the restaurant.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
When we arrive at The Ocean Inn Restaurant, our small group grows only slightly larger. They’ve put us in a cozy private room near the back of the building, which means we’re overlooking the water. It may not be a huge wedding with burgundy chairs and over a hundred guests, but it’s simply perfect.
Dressed in their finest attire, Theo, Vincent, Kent, Ruth, Regina, and Nick, holding Maria in his lap, gather around the oversized table. Sheldon stands near the end, wearing a huge smile.
“You’re married!” He feigns wiping a tear from his eye. “I thought since the wedding was supposed to be here, it might be nice to at least have dinner here. And”—he looks toward Olan—“I was able to convince them to transfer the deposit to this celebratory dinner.”
Olan winks at him and says, “Well, thank you. That was astute of you.”
“Sheldon,” Theo calls from the table. “Let them breathe. Come sit.”
“Yes, let’s sit. The mocktails are on the table.” Sheldon winks at my mother and then wraps his arm around her. “I saved you a seat next to me, Sarah, I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course. Greggie and I will be right there.”
Sheldon joins Theo, and my mother pulls me down for a quick hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” she says. “You’ve grown into such an amazing man. I’m kvelling. And now, married to such a wonderful man.” She grabs my chin. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
When I break free from her embrace, she grabs Olan. “And thank you for finally making my boy a Sadie.”
“Of course. And I promise not to gamble away all our money on a cruise, leaving him dejected and hopeless.”
