"Two souls with but a single thought; two hearts that beat as one."
Friedrich Halm

I'm seated in the small room attached to the intimate chapel where Sam and I will officially become husband and wife. Surrounding me are my matron of honor, Millie, and bridesmaids, Grace, Faith, and Liza.

My best friend, Millie, is making it her mission of the day to ensure that my makeup and hair stay flawless. I had opted to have her care for it instead of going to a beauty salon.

In college, we always did each other's hair and makeup before attending events. It just felt right to have Millie do it for my wedding.

Millie knows my style, and I must say that she nailed it. She kept my makeup neutral with shades of peach and brown smokey eyes and a shimmer of pink on my cheekbones.

My hair is curled and pinned in a loose bun on the crown of my head, with loose ringlets surrounding my face.

Faith and a pregnant Grace are trying to keep Faith and Benson's children, six-year-old Tabitha and the two-year-old twins, Benny and Henry, from destroying their outfits and carefully styled hair.

I chuckle as Grace struggles to remove Benny's hand from his sister's no longer perfect curls.

Liza is on dress duty, and she's taking her job very seriously. I lost count of how often she used the steamer over my mother's perfect dress.

She keeps checking her phone, and I know she worries about her husband, Greg, who is on baby duty with their three-month-old daughter, Carrie.

I escape from Millie and walk over to Liza. Placing my hand on her arm, I quietly say, "I'm sure everything is okay."

Liza's eyes meet mine, and she smiles meekly, "I know. It's not me checking on him; he keeps texting me."

My eyebrows furl with concern. "Oh, is he alright?"

She places her hand over mine and squeezes. "Yes, he's doing great. It's just his first time completely alone with Carrie, and he only needs some reassurance. There's nothing to worry about here; today is your day."

There's tapping at the door, and Millie goes over to answer it. When she opens the door, my father looks dapper in his black tuxedo.

His fit body fills out the tux perfectly. He's clean-shaven, and his handsome features are on full display.

My father's tentative look changes to happiness when his eyes meet mine. I can't help the lump forming in my throat or the tears in my eyes.

"Daddy," I whimper.

He quickly walks to me with his arms outstretched. "Hey, Dee."

He embraces me as tears of joy cascade down my face. I ignore Millie's grunt of disapproval as I hug my father.

I hear shuffling around the tiny room as everyone leaves Dad and me alone.

After a few moments, he kisses my forehead. "Sam is one very blessed man to have captured the heart of my little detective."

I smile into my father's shoulder, like the child I will always be in his eyes.

He gives me a loving squeeze. "Your mother would be so proud of you."

He releases me and pulls an envelope out of his jacket pocket. I can see his moist eyes sparkling, refusing to let his tears fall.

After gazing at the envelope momentarily, he hands it to me, and I immediately recognize the handwriting.

My father's voice cracks with emotion, "When your mother got sick, she wrote you this letter. She instructed me not to give it to you till your wedding day, specifically while you were getting ready for the ceremony."

I take it and stare at it.

He tenderly kisses my cheek. "I love you, Dee." Clearing his throat, he said, "I'll leave you to it and let the girls know not to enter until you open the door."

Speechless, I can only nod my understanding.

He leaves and gently closes the door behind him. Once I hear the door click, I take a deep breath, walk over to a plush wing-backed chair, and sit.

I tremble as I open the envelope and pull out the light blue stationery.

My mother's words are before me as I struggle to see past the blurriness caused by my overflowing tears.

I quickly move the letter when one escapes and lands on the page.

After blinking, attempting to get my emotions in check, I read.

My Dearest Cindy,

Oh, I wish I could have seen you as a beautiful bride. I asked your father to encourage you to wear my dress.

I can visualize you looking so gorgeous in it and pray that the symbol of your father's and my love will flow into your and your husband's marriage as well.

I'm sure that the man who managed to captivate your heart deserves your love and loyalty, a strong man who will keep you safe when you get in too deep with your curious mind, and a kind man who will see the compassionate woman you are.

My advice for your marriage that I would have shared now is to always keep communication lines open, hear him out entirely before jumping in with your thoughts, and, most of all, love him unconditionally without hesitation or judgment.

Treat your husband how you want him to treat you, and I'm confident that what you invest into your lives together will be lovingly returned to you.

I love you, Cindy. Never forget to live life to its fullest and take every day you wake up and breathe in the fresh air as a blessing.

Congratulations, my darling daughter; please use this as your something blue. And do me a favor, hug your groom for me.

Looking down from above, with all of my love,

Mom

I fold the letter and tuck it into my bodice close to my heart. I wipe the tears from my face and smile. "Thank you, Mom," I whisper before getting up and opening the door.

Millie rushes in first. "Are you okay?"

"I am," is all that I can say.

When she notices my tear-stained face, she grimaces. "Are you sure?"

I nodded, not wanting to mention my mother's letter, knowing I would be a blubbering mess again. I'll make sure to share it with her after the wedding.

She gives me a look that says I don't believe a word you say before pushing me towards a straight-back chair and grabbing the makeup. Within minutes, she looks satisfied with her work.

She hugs me and murmurs in my ear, "We'll talk about this later."

I return her hug. "We will, I promise."

I see Liza approach. "I hate to break up this sweet moment, but it's time to get dressed, Cindy."

Liza assists me by slipping my mother's dress over my head, ignoring the disapproving sounds coming from Millie.

I take a final look into the full-length mirror. My mother's dress fit me perfectly; no altercations were necessary.

The sleek plunging V-neck form-fitting lace dress has long sleeves with a sexy slit up to my upper thigh. My mother had excellent taste; it's stunning. Sam will love it.

Grace and Faith kept the children in the hall as I got dressed. Millie opened the door, and my father was kneeling and telling Tabitha how beautiful she was. The look in Tabitha's eyes reminds me of how I see my father.

He glances up when the door opens, and his eyes go to me. His gaze takes me in as he scrutinizes the dress that years ago stood before him, with my mother filling the elegant threads.

A tear slips down his cheek as he reaches his hand towards me. "Ready?"

I smile so much that I can feel my skin stretch to its limit. "You have no idea how ready I am."

My father winks knowingly. "I think that I have a fair idea. Now, let's get you married. Trust me; Sam is just as anxious to become your husband as you are to be his wife."

Everyone takes their places. First, the children, followed by Grace, then Faith, Liza, and last is Millie. Dad and I waited behind Millie until everyone went down the aisle.

Dad and I stop next to the entryway, waiting for the music to change before appearing. I can't see Sam from where I'm standing, and he can't see me.

I smile when I see Grace and Faith's brother Thomas and his wife Gail, son, and twin girls. Sitting beside them is Henson, their half-brother, with his wife Kate and son William. Next is Faith's husband, Jeremy, Greg, and baby Carrie, on the end of the church bench.

The music changes, and I know it's time to make my grand entrance. Dad reaches over and squeezes my arm, which is wrapped firmly around his.

He guides me through the doorway, and immediately, Sam's and my eyes connect. His grey orbs widened with admiration as I watched them slowly roam down my body.

As Dad and I begin our procession towards my love and future, Sam's eyes lock with mine. At that moment, it was just the two of us, and everyone else faded into the background.

On this day, I will give Sam my heart and promise to encourage and cherish him for the rest of our lives. He's my partner and one true love.

I'll forever be his, and he'll be mine. Only death will separate our powerful love because when we are together, we are invincible.