Adria's Transformation, page 20
“I love you Bryson”, Adria said passionately.
Bryson placed his hand under Adria’s chin to lift it slightly. He looked deeply into her eyes to fully view the love she was wearing so freely this afternoon.
“I love you too, my sweets! How about…,” then he kissed her lightly—“We”—he kissed her again—
“Totally skip the reception”—he kissed her yet again—“And go directly to the hotel to start the honeymoon. I am not hungry anyway?” Bryson suggested.
“Why not?” Adria agreed. “I don’t think they will miss us at all!” She responded jokingly as she then leaned over for a few more kisses. “Well, on second thought, they might miss us a little.”
“What do you say we attend for about an hour and a half and then we say our goodbyes?” Adria suggested. “Then I get you all to myself!”
They arrived at the reception and partook of the activities prepared for them. Pictures were taken and guests were greeted. Adria and Bryson had dinner, performed the cutting of the cake and drinking from each other’s goblets ceremonies before returning to their seats to receive toasts from the matron of honor and the best man.
Francine was directed to offer her toast first. She stood with the cordless microphone and walked towards Adria and Bryson.
“You two are a lovely couple and Sis, I have never seen you this happy, ever. My prayer, and I plan to pray it often, is that you always carry a part of this moment with you as it is the kind of memory that will carry you through all types of situations. Bryson, now you take good care of my sister, you hear me? I love you both!” Then she raised her crystal goblet to complete the toast. The wedding party and guests raised their glasses and drank to accept Francine’s toast.
Adria’s eyes filled with tears as to how much Francine had grown to accept Bryson. Today she showed her feelings of love and care that warmed Adria’s heart.
Francine then passed the microphone to Alton who stood beside her. Alton cleared his voice.
“Bryson and Adria this is indeed such a great privilege for me to offer a toast to the two of you today. I have known Bryson for a long time and have never seen him so happy. I am really glad to see my friend get to this point IN HIS LIFE. Now I don’t have to be jealous of him being single ANYMORE!” Alton added and laughed at himself, and the reception guests joined in with his humor. “Just keeping it real, dawg. Seriously, my prayer is that you keep God first in your life and allow Him to lead you through all your circumstances and you will reach all your dreams. Adria, he’s in your hands now and I trust you will take good care of my brother. Bryson, I am proud of you man!” Then he lifted his glass to complete the toast.
The guests lifted their glasses once again to drink their beverage before applauding at the conclusion of Alton’s toasts.
The reception continued with the bridal bouquet and the garter tosses and photographs. Finally, the emcee announced that the newlyweds were ready to depart the scene and start their lives together. Two cordless microphones were placed beside the couple for their usage. Adria and Bryson stood to thank their guests and prepare for their recessional.
“I don’t have enough words to thank God, my family, and friends for helping to make this day a dream come true for us. I will always cherish and love every moment. Do pray for us as we strive to be the man, woman, couple, and family God called us to be! We love you all!” Adria said.
Bryson raised his microphone to begin his words. “I agree with everything my new bride has spoken today. God’s been so good to us, and we will always be grateful for these bountiful blessings. Thank you all so much and May God bless you!” Bryson signaled the DJ and the music started.
Upon cue, the couple began to sing a song written by Bryson for this occasion. This was the very tune that was inspired by their confessed love for each other many months earlier, on the night they became a couple. This melody, like their lives, have progressed through their scenarios and taken many iterations. The song was a true replica of how their love had grown to this place. The delivery of the tune was passionate and when it concluded, the guests were at their feet with thunderous applause. Bryson and Adria stood close holding hands until the last note was played.
Bryson and Adria said their ‘thank you’s’ and returned the microphones to the table. They prepared to exit the reception. As Adria and Bryson approached the door, they jumped over the broom and left their wedding reception in the capable hands of their family, friends, and the wedding planner.
Adria and Bryson re-entered the limousine.
“I think our song was a big hit!” Bryson acknowledged. “Maybe we ought to do that more often?” He asked as he looked over at Adria with a big smile. “What do you think?” Bryson then locked his hands into hers as he spoke.
Adria grinned and then snuggled as close as humanly possible to her new husband. “That song was very special.”
“Do you think we could do it... sing, together again?” Bryson continued, “I mean, we might be onto something very special here, my bride!”
“We could certainly do that again!” Adria responded lovingly as she continued to reflect on her wonderful wedding day. She wrapped her arm around Bryson’s waist and laid her head on his shoulder.
The fifteen-minute ride to the hotel was filled with music, joy, and laughter. Adria and Bryson exited the limousine, and the bell captain opened the doors for them. The luggage had been loaded onto the luggage carrier and sent to their rooms earlier. Adria and Bryson stopped at the reception area to pick up the room key. Once inside the bridal suite, Bryson located the “Do Not Disturb” sign and placed it on the door.
We Thank God for
Second and Third Chances
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I want to thank God for His unfailing love and for giving me this gift and my purpose. My goal is that this and upcoming works continue to give you the glory because you are an awesome God. May others believe in the gifts you have given them and not hesitate when the opportunities are offered.
Second, to the three Women of God, Andrea, Ruth, and Victoria, who I am convinced are my guardian angels walking around on this earth, I just want to take a moment to say thank you. I am forever grateful for your love and passion for literacy, reading and writing that is so completely refreshing. I am so elated that our paths crossed and that we were able to meet and work together to make this dream come true. I can’t thank you enough for your willingness to coach me through this process. Your words of encouragement, your prodding, your ability to push me further into the gifting was everything I needed. To God Be The Glory!
Lastly, to my family and friends, who are a constant source of inspiration. It was and are our experiences that first spoke gently to my heart and then empowered me to sit down at the keyboard. Romans 8:28 is one scripture that places everything into perspective for me, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)
Never stop believing!
About The Author
Dr. Paula Y. Obie grew up in a small-town in North Carolina and she is the only female born in a family of eight siblings to Elder Samuel B. Obie and the late Reverend Joyce L. Obie.
In her early life, there was an abundance of love, music, laughter, sports, friends and—of course—church. It was her church upbringing though sometimes was extremely complicated, that kept her grounded even when she struggled with her life’s journey.
At a young age, her mother passed; however, before she transitioned, Paula spent many days and nights with her at the hospital. In her conversations to prepare her for life without her mother, she would encourage her to, “Not be like them,” and she would call names. She also encouraged her to, “Not let anyone buy you, you are not for sale”.
These words were vehicles to drive her through many life scenarios. Writing, after this transitional life experience, became a tool she used for sporadic journaling and venting. Later, professionally, she used it as an operational and developmental business management writing tool. In 2008, Paula was encouraged to write her faith journey, with the end result of being a love story.
“I laugh at the power of God, who can take a tragical life and transform it into love! Only God can perform that miracle.”
Paula loves spending time with her family, walking along the beach and just sitting and looking at the spectacular sea for hours.
Paula Y Obie, Adria's Transformation
