[07 June 2024]

They say life is filled with up's and downs. That pain isn't infinite and each season is fleeting and I can attest to that. There were days when I felt like giving up and life felt like it was caving in but when the yoke became too heavy I knew that the teacher was silent during the exam and I needed to endure and pass through.

Today, I'm a living testimony to the Lord's God works and His perfect timing.

What the good Lord has begun He will see to complete.

- Destiny

Today was my wedding day and I was getting married to the love of my life. And only the Lord had made it happen.

I will forever be grateful to him.

"Des, your dress is here!" Thato said as she rushed into the room, a gown in her arms.

It was the dress of my dreams, form-fitting but modest, just right for my wedding.

She placed the dress on my bed along with my heels; which I rarely wore and hoped that I would not fall on my face in front of all the guests.

I sat on my bed with a sigh of contentment.

Thato joined me, "You and Antonio have truly been through the most and I of all people know that. I know that in the beginning, I was against Antonio and your relationship but I see that it was truly God-ordained, the Lord literally wrote this story before you guys came about and watching it unfold was truly a beautiful thing," her words brought tears to my eyes.

We just sat in silence for a few seconds with her holding me with sisterly tenderness.

"I'm going to call your mom for a little prayer for the well-being of the ceremony," she said standing up in her satin gown that we had bought just for that moment.

My mom was a God-fearing woman and in her words, she wanted to speak, "Fire" into the service by praying for it and I couldn't ask for anything more to make this day more splendid.

"My baby!" my mom exclaimed as she entered the room, a radiant and contagious smile on her face. You would swear that she was the one getting married.

"Mma," I hugged her as her arms secured themself around my waist.

"You have made me really proud today. You are not only a doctor but you are going to become someone's wife and soon-to-be mother and the joy in my heart just cannot be contained," her arms only grew tighter as she pulled me even closer.

She had given Antonio her blessings to send a letter to my family and pay the bridal price; the "lobola" in other words. It was customary in many African cultures for the groom to send his family to pay it before getting married to the girl.

"Mom, it's too tight," I managed to break free from the hug.

"It's half past seven, we need to hurry up because the wedding is starting at nine ó clock," Thato said gathering around my colleagues and friends from the hospital I was working at, whom I had asked to be my bridesmaids and they had gladly agreed. My relationship with them was God-centered and I loved that.

This was the phase in my life called bliss in the Lord and soon-to-be marriage.

We conjoined our hands and formed a circle, "Dear Heavenly Father, we are gathered here today to place Destiny and Antonio's ceremony in your hands. We submit everything from the opening ceremony, vows, and exchange of rings under your power. Please lead this unity and keep them under your perfect peace for you are Holy," in no time everyone was blasting in tongues, speaking peace and power upon the upcoming ceremony.

****

Just thirty minutes before the ceremony began. Everyone was bustling around, doing some final touches to their makeup and attires. Everyone was looking absolutely gorgeous in my purple Venda traditional attire, that they loved wearing.

I was a ball of nerves as glanced at my reflection in the marriage. A swirl of doubts spun through my mind.

But in times like that, I learned to meditate on the Lord's word. Isaiah 26:3; The man whose heart is unmoved you will keep in peace, because his hope is in you.

I had asked my makeup artist for a light make-up touch because I still wanted to look as natural as possible. My afro had grown back to full length and I had tied it down with a flowery band.

"Bridesmaids, it's time," my mom said as she entered the room in her traditional dress, ever so elegant and sophisticated.

The bridesmaids grabbed their flowers and filed out of the room but not before giving me a side hug being cautious enough not to touch my make-up.

Thato and I were the only ones left in the room after everyone had left, she was dressed in a Zulu traditional attire as she was my maid of honour and needed to "shine".

"It's time, Des. I can't believe that at the end of the day, you will be a Misses, just yesterday we were gushing over being in Italy and starting our educational journey there but today you are getting married, it's so surreal!"

Thato said as tears lined her eyes, "I'm not going to cry, not on such a beautiful day," she blinked her eyes rapidly to get rid of the tears as I did too.

It was marvelling how quickly time ran when life got busy.

"And I'm so glad to have had you each step of the way," I responded, holding her hand.

She had been the best sister anyone could've ever asked for and I couldn't be more grateful.

"Urgh, girl! Don't make me cry," and her dramatic self was back again. She would never change.

****

The song "For Life" by Moses Bliss started playing as Giovanni held my arm and we walked down the aisle, it was truly a magical moment even though I would've wished for my dad to be the one to walk me down the aisle Giovanni couldn't have done a better job. He was my very own brother.

We had chosen to get married in a chapel with the pastor from my church in South Africa.

As we walked down rows upon rows of chairs, my eyes started brimming over as I saw myself surrounded by all my loved ones and close ones who had taken off their day to come and witness Nio and I's union.

As soon as I caught a glimpse of Nio, my heart did a little jump as it had all those years ago and that was when the fireworks began as I remembered the pain we had to go through to eventually come to the point in the relationship.

As I took a real look at him, I noticed just how handsome he was as usual adorned in a black and white suit.

My man...

In no time, the song came to an end and Giovanni was warning Nio to take care of me before giving him a bro hug.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Antonio and Destiny in holy matrimony," the pastor began, "can the ring bearers please bring the rings forward?"

My eyes were only for my Nio as I took in all of him and his eyes were only for me as it seemed like the whole world just faded away and it was just the two of us.

In no time the vows began, "I, Antonio Alessandro D'Angelo take you Destiny Lufuno Mudau to be wife. To have and to hold, to be with you through all trying seasons and good seasons, to honour you, love you and dote on you till my last days. To be faithful and true to our marriage and to be the head of our family with Christ being my head till death do us part."

"I, Destiny Lufuno Mudau, take you Antonio Alessandro D'Angelo to be my husband. To have and to hold, to be with you through all trying seasons and good seasons, to respect you, to love you and serve you, till my last days. To be faithful and true to our marriage and to be led by you till death do us part."

"Are there any objections? Speak now or forever hold your peace," the pastor said.

My heart stopped beating for a second as I thought back to Samantha and Samuel who had tried to break us apart but when no one raised their voice, my heart grew joyful once more.

"By the grace of the Lord, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Nio gently removed the veil from my face and softly caressed my cheek with his rough but pillowy hand before leaning toward me as I did too.

And all I can say is that it was well worth the wait and simply heaven on earth...