Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22496 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
My father came clad in his dress blues and medallions shining to the heavens, all to scare Ryoichi. Truth be told, my father’s quiet, commanding presence always intimidated me. Dad rarely punished me, but he always encouraged me to be more extroverted. Lord knows I tried but always failed, making me feel like I failed him. Ryoichi, however, was not afraid. He was charming and outgoing, and my father was impressed with the new man in my life.
Now, my father stands at my side dressed in crisp marine blues and loops his arm through mine. His lips touch softly at the side of my temple. In the background, the great-granddaughter of my Sunday school teacher strikes up a song by Matthew West, perfect for weddings. Ryoichi wasn’t kidding when he said he’d come to church with me. Funny, I chose the church where I almost took my old Sunday school teacher’s eye out for the ceremony.
Two wedding planners open the doors to the sanctuary, but Dad stalls.
“I have never been so afraid in my life . . .” he whispers, voice gruff from years of authoritatively commanding me and everyone else.
“Dad?” I stare up at him, face free of makeup—Ryoichi’s one request. “Spend all the money you’d like,” he said, “but do not mar your face.” I gulp down trepidation. All eyes are about to be on me. “You can’t be afraid.”
“Two times in my life. Well, three. The first was when my only child came into the world, and one of the nurses was passing you to me. You were tiny. I was afraid to crush you with these hands.” He glances down at callused fingers as I chuckle. “The second time was when Essence said she had tickets for us to go to Japan—without explanation.”
My gaze lowers. “Yup.”
“And today, I give you away.”
“Well, it’s a good thing that this isn’t some fly-by-night wedding, Dad.” My Cinderella-puffy dress swishes as I bump him with my hip. “Forget all your fears. Now, c’mon, Dad.”
We step into the sanctuary where lilies, poppies, and hyacinths have transformed the church into the garden of paradise. Pearls drape each pew. A Cord of Three Strands hangs from a large arrangement at the center of the church, which we will braid toward the end of the ceremony.
I feel my heart flutter as the guests rise and turn toward us. But as Dad and I slowly meander through the tiny church, my heart calms, and my chin lifts. Out of a sea of joyful faces, my eyes only see the man God created for me.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.