The Burden Of Love (Jonathan Toews)

The Burden Of Love

Emilia

Chicago Illinois
July 16th, 2016
2:59 pm

As I look down at the bouquet of flowers that sit in my hands I couldn't help but feel a lot of happiness, a little nerves and some nausea. If you do it right you get married once, and to me this was it. This was end game. Jonathan and I have been together going strong for three years now, and we got a ways to go to catch up with grandma and grandpa. But I believe we will make it that long loving each other.

"You ready" a deep voice asks and I look up. I see Jon's dad standing there and I smile big.

"As ready as I will ever be" I tease.

"He can't wait to see you. Been begging me to tell him how you are this whole morning. You're a lot more chill than he is I can tell you that much" he chuckles.

"He did as much planning for this wedding as I did. He wants it to be perfect" I insist.

"Honestly he just wants to see you. The man can't go a few minutes without knowing that you're happy before he loses it" he accuses.

"I got real lucky with him" I smile.

"Ah, I think it's the other way around. That man didn't have a romantic bone in his body until he met you. Every man deserves a love that makes him feel like nothing else in this world matters. You're that for him and I get a pretty great daughter out of it" he smiles.

"It's a honor to be a part of your family" I admit.

Finally the song starts to play and Bryan sticks his arm out. I wrap mine around his as he smiles down at me. Just like his son always did. We walk down the isle and I try to keep it together. Though my parents and the people who raised me aren't here there's people who I love dearly who is. Like Ken and Jasmine, and another little boy we adopted last year who knows nothing but good times since he's been with us. Of course Jon's buddies and thier significant others made it out along with friends of my own. We even left two seats open for my grandparents right at the front next to the kids.

It was a intimate church, the flowers and greenery that line the isle reminds me of the first date we had. And I was still just in awe of the man that stood at the end of this isle as I was of the man on that date.

Bryan hands me off to Jon and he wipes a tear from his cheek. I had one too as the weight of what was happening sets in. I've dreamed of this moment for a while now and it is just as beautiful as I imagined.

The priest starts to talk but to be honest I couldn't hear him over the thudding of my heart. It's no secret I'm not one for the spotlight. Don't care for attention and like to move in silence. Let my impact do all the talking. But being up here with Jon was the greatest feeling in the world. Looking into his eyes knowing that in a little while he will be my husband and we can set out on many more adventures.

It comes time for vows and he goes first. We wrote our own and I know he had been practicing. And if I wasn't an emotional mess before I was now. His promises to me always mean a lot because he is a man of his word. And I know he will do right by me. Now it was my turn to say what I needed to.

"When I was a little girl my grandma told me over and over again that love is a burden. And I remember thinking "love is great! It isn't a burden." But as I got older I realize that love comes at a price. With love there is sacrifice and hardship and pain. Those things, that's the burden. So yes we will have love but we will have everything that comes with it.

My love for you bare no burdens. Loving in general is, but instead of sacrifice we find a way to come to a agreement. Instead of hardship we work until we figure it out. Instead of pain all I feel, is you. And it's the best feeling in the world.

So yes, my grandma was right. Love is a burden, but loving you never was. And never will be. I carry no heavy load when I'm with you because with every step I take you're next to me lifting it up. Helping me out and reminding me of how much better my life is with you next to me.

As your wife I promise not to burden you with my love but to continue to support you, be present in your life and love you every step of the way" I say.

Ken brings up the rings and we say our I do's. Once Jon lifts the vail his lips meet mine and I get to walk down the isle as Mrs. Emilia Toews.

After we leave the church we take pictures before going to the reception. As much as I was soaking in being with Jon as man and wife I missed the kids. I find Kenny with the newest member of the family Jerimiah raiding the finger foods. I pick up Jer and Jon picks up Ken as I smile big.

"You did great today Kenny" I tell him as Jon fixed his little bow tie. He made quite the dashing little man.

"I still think dribbling the ring boxes down the isle with a hockey stick would have been cooler" he says as I roll my eyes. Had to fight him for weeks to let that one go.

"I think everything was perfect" Jon insists.

"Can Ken and I go see uncle Patrick" Jerimiah asks and I smile.

"Of course baby. Come find us in a few minutes okay, it's about time for dinner" I say.

"We will. I promise mom" he smiles. Man he was so cute.

The terrible two run off to terrorize Patrick and Jon and I have the time to walk around and say hi to everyone. Thank them for coming and hope that it's not too hot. Eventually Jon pulls me to the side and I look up at him. He had this sparkle in his eyes that made your heart skip a beat.

"I just needed to tell you how happy you make me" he claims.

"I sure hope I make you happy, I am your wife" I tease.

"I love the sound of that" he says lowly a she grabs my hips. He pulls me against him as my hands cup his face. "Why don't we start working on kids of our own" he asks.

"Yes captain" I smile.