There I was, my hands on my kilted lap, listening to a young woman with a high-pitched voice and a strong burr officiate at a wedding in Scotland on the same day as our anniversary, and a signal anniversary at that.
When she spoke about marriage the institution and the formulaic '... forsaking all others, for better or for worse, in sickness and on health, so long as you both shall live?', I thought, as I and we and all wedded couples do, about our own vows.
To not have your hand to squeeze at that moment was a poignant loss; to not be with you on this day seemed like a betrayal, as if l had in fact forsaken you for another.
The history of our relationship goes back decades. It's not fragile, and we had talked about this conflict, but this afternoon celebrating another couple's nuptials, my heart was in my throat.
One thing about encounters is that sometimes events unexpectedly resonate within them, taking all parties by surprise. Nothing should be taken for granted.
Which is why, when I called you after the ceremony, and you asked me how I was, whatever I replied, what I really said was, 'I do.'
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