Thumb Wars and Wedding Vows

“One, two, three four. I declare a thumb war…” Wow! What a day! “Five, six, seven, eight. Try to keep your face straight.” I know that’s not how the saying goes, but it sure did fit the events of November 21, 1998, my wedding day.

The day was a beautiful one. I have a small idea that the skies were a little overcast – I’m not entirely sure, though, because my smile was bigger and brighter than it had ever been. Nothing was going to interfere with what was truly the happiest day of my life. Mike looked so wonderful in his dark, olive-green suit, and our five children were actually all clean and dressed nicely for a change.

The music began for our little march down the aisle. No one could have asked for better attendants than ours. After all, not every woman has the pleasure of having her children at her wedding.

“Get ready you guys. Here we go,” I loudly whispered. “Get with your partners and get in line.”

We were gathered in the alcove at the back of the cultural hall. Chad took Nicole #1 (our Nicole) by the arm, and they stepped up to the door. Cory and Nicole #2 (our Nicole’s best friend) moved into place behind them as Grant stepped up beside me.

“Are you ready for me to give you away?” Grant asked with a laugh. “I can hardly wait to be free,” he continued with a giggle.

“You little stinker,” I grinned. When I had first asked Grant if he would give me away, he wasn’t too sure about the idea. As time passed, however, he became pretty excited at the prospect of unloading his mom onto Mike.

“Barb!” Nicole #1 hissed at me. “They’re ready to start.”

“Ok, Let’s go,” I nervously whispered back. I could hear the strains of the music floating through the hall. “Wait a minute! Where’s Meghan?” Meghan was supposed to follow Cory and Nicole #2 and lead me in to Mike. She was nowhere to be seen.

I looked at Cory; he shrugged. “I dunno. I haven’t seen her for awhile.” No one seemed to know where Meg had disappeared to. Just then, Nicole #1 turned back to us.

“Here she comes,” she laughed. I stepped to the doorway just as my darling youngest child burst through the doors on the opposite side of the cultural hall. I groaned at the sight of her.

Meggie was … well, Meggie. Her beautifully groomed hair was flying everywhere. She was twirling her headband around her fingers as she skipped through the rows of people, singing, “Here comes the bride, all dressed in white.” She was totally oblivious to everything taking place around her; there was no hurry to her life, just sheer enjoyment at being the center of attention.

Right! I hummphed to myself. More like “Here comes the bride, just dying at this sight!”

“Where have you been?” I quietly but excitedly enunciated.

“I had to go to the bathroom!” I grimaced again as I heard her eight-year-old voice screech in echoes off the cultural hall walls.

I rolled my eyes, hurriedly fixed Meghan’s hair, and handed her flower to her. Her single white rose was as bedraggled as she was. Everything was fine, though; the procession could begin.

“Ok you guys, let’s go!” No traditional wedding march played for us, just a compilation of beautiful music. But really, nothing about this event was traditional. We were off, down the aisle – Chad and Nicole #1 leading the way followed by Cory and Nicole #2, Meghan, and then finally Grant and me.

I reflected just a bit as I walked toward Mike and Bishop Mosher about just how different this wedding was from my first. I certainly didn’t have thoughts of doubt this time. I knew Mike wasn’t wondering where the nearest exit was either. I looked up at Mike as he took me by the hand. His eyes were so bright, almost as bright as his grin. Then, he did it! He winked!

“Oh no,” I though, “I can’t laugh!” Poor Bishop Mosher was so nervous anyway. This was his first wedding, and he certainly didn’t need us laughing. Mike’s mouth twitched, and I could see that he was fighting the giggles too. I figured I would have to avoid eye contact if I was to survive the ceremony.

Mike and I held hands as we listened to the bishop – at least I tried to listen. I contemplated my past year of trials and all that had brought me to this point in my life. I glanced down the rows at our children. They all looked so great. I was glad to see Nicole #2 with us. She wasn’t truly Mike’s daughter, but she belonged to the family just the same. I knew how much our Nicole would miss her when she went back home.

“Mike, would you please take Barbara by the right hand?”

“Oh dear, I guess I’d better pay attention,” ran through my mind. I’d heard most of what Bishop Mosher said, but I also realized I had been somewhat lost in my thoughts.

Mike held my right hand with his left one. He then realized that he needed to switch hands. He took my right hand firmly in his. I don’t know why, but I let out a little giggle at the thought of the episode of Friends where Ross says Rachel’s name by mistake when he was marrying Emily. I definitely didn’t want to make the same mistake. Right! As if I could!

“Do you Michael, take Barbara…” the bishop began. Just then, Mike’s thumb began tapping on either side of mine. I couldn’t believe it! He was starting a thumb war! I only had one choice of action – I had to fight! Suddenly, I heard quite as Bishop Mosher finished his part of the vows. He waited for Mike’s response. Mike’s thumb stopped in midair.

“I do,” Mike’s deep voice replied. I heard just a hint of chuckle in his voice. I glanced up at him and caught his wink and grin. My shoulders began shaking as I felt the giggles roll up from deep inside.

“Barbara, do you…” the bishop continued. Mike’s thumb began to wiggle again. The battle reconvened. By this time, both of us were straining to hold in the giggles. Mike was so going to get it! I couldn’t believe that he was making me laugh during such a solemn moment. I had no choice; I had to concede. I let Mike capture my thumb just as he’d captured my heart.

“…for as long as you both shall live?” Bishop Mosher paused for my response.

“No, not for as long as we both shall live,” I thought. This marriage was going to last much longer than that. We were determined to see this thing through to the eternities, but for now we needed to take care of things on Earth.

I looked at Mike’s and my hands, united in love and laughter, then up into the eyes of my new husband. I took a deep breath, “I do!”