Carousel Dreams

I 'm writing about a fantasy wedding that reveals how I want to start my life with my special someone. In my eyes, and I’m sure every husband says this-
"She is the most beautiful woman who has ever graced the earth with her presence."

The way she moves across the room is like watching a butterfly cascading on the hidden currents. Her voice carries me away into my gossamer dreams of “Happily Ever After”.

They say that only Fairytales end with such illusions, but this is no fairytale and no dream; This is the way I envision my new found love.

The autumn colors in the Pennsylvania mountains are as vibrant as the new morning sun. The reds, the oranges and the bright yellows of the leaves are the back drop of this magical moment. This passage of time is where two separate heartbeats join together in the precision of one. The chairs are set up, in a rigid half circle around the Carousel, waiting to be filled by well-wishers, family members and teary-eyed mothers. The Pastor stands on the wooden platform with a nervous groom and an anxious best man.

The groom looks dashing and debonair with a touch of sophistication. His medium gray suit fits him like a glove that was intricately and delicately sewn around the hand. It shows off his broad shoulders, his strong arms, and his muscular physique. There is not a stitch out of place, nor an unwanted wrinkle to be found. His white tuxedo shirt doesn’t hide, but highlights, his muscular chest. The ruffles of the shirt have the same appearance as water cascading over the mighty Niagara Falls. The boutonniere on his lapel consists of the same flowers that his exquisitely decorated horse has painted on his mane.

He stands next to the wooden horse with a growing anticipation for the grand entrance of the fair maiden that he will share his name and ring with. As he takes a deep breath, the small orchestra starts playing the wedding march. First to walk down the aisle of folding chairs, is the flower girl. She is carrying a basket filled with rose petals and little sprigs of baby's breath. With each little step, she stops to lay a handful of the petals down. She is so pretty in her little burgundy dress and her flowered halo.

Walking next to the flower girl is the little ring bearer, wearing his little gray tux and burgundy bowtie. He is keeping step with the little girl, without walking too far ahead or behind. He proudly carries the pillow holding the wedding rings.

Following them are the bridesmaids and attendants. They move into place on the platform of the Carousel, standing around and behind the two horses reserved for the bride and groom. Everyone is waiting for the bride to be led down the aisle by her father. The music stops as if to emphasize her arrival and then the orchestra starts playing again. You can hear as the audience makes an collective gasp. They are swept away in complete admiration of the woman standing there in her beautiful wedding gown.

Her dress is a floor tee length, off the shoulder gown. It is a creamy white gown with plenty of lace and mother of pearl sequins. The sleeves end just below her elbows almost meeting the silk of her long white gloves. Her hair is done up with ivory combs and silk streamers that are braided into her coppery colored hair. Her hair actually looks like a jeweler, rather than a hairdresser, has put her heavenly locks in place, accented with golden curls that cascaded down.

Her veil is attached to the white flowery halo and the thin lacy material dances in front of her lovely face and floats just above the neckline of her dress. She looks like a heaven bound angel in her gown. She has several streams of small lace flowers hanging from her waist line. Her train hooks onto the back of her wedding dress, which had a beautiful white satin bow to accent the train. It flows down and out and around the hem and had flowery lace and pearls. On each side of the train there are big satin roses sewed on. In her hand, she carries a old lace hankerchief from her grandmother and a blue, tiny, intrique pin hooked to the top of her wedding gown. She is truly the most beautiful woman that he has ever seen and the sight of her takes his breath away.

She strolls up the aisle like a ballerina and is admired by all. She makes her way up to the wooden horse where the groom is waiting to boost her up to the saddle. He puts her delicate foot into the metal stirrup and then mounts his own wooden steed. Then their attention is directed towards the man of the cloth.

“Ladies and gentlemen we are gathered here today to witness these two beautiful people to embrace the vows of their love. Our endearing couple has taken the time to prepare their own wedding vows.”

Alyssa looks at her handsome prince and begins to recite her vows. “Parker, as the flower grows is how my love for you deepens. The petals are my outward affection for the true man that you are. You honor me with your love, and your affection. You make me feel like the blooming rose even when the sky isn’t blue. You are the man that I will always love for richer, for poorer, for sickness and in health, for today, tomorrow and may our future keep getting brighter. Parker, I will always be your wife.” As she finishes there are traces of tears in her eyes.

“Alyssa, without your love there would be no flowers, there would be no humming birds, and I would not have an angel in my life. With your love I have become a man; a man who has experienced a touch of heaven every time I have touched your lips with mine. Your love carries me to new heights and brings out the best in me. I will be there for you and our love will be strong for richer, for poorer, for sickness and in health, for today, tomorrow and may our future keep getting brighter. I will always be the man you love, I will be your husband. Alyssa, with this ring, I thee wed.”

Amid the sounds of a few sobs from the audience, the carousel begins to move.

After a couple of spins, the wedding procession dismounts and walks back down the aisle. The bride and groom step up into a horse drawn carriage. They ride around the small town as the final preparations for the reception are being made...