Once upon a time there was a bride. Her entire self shook as she walked down the aisle, small bundles of nerves sending her body into visible trembles. Unlike in the past, however, this time she smiled. This time it wasn’t the substances that flowed through her veins that forced her body to shake. It was simply nerves. And there, at the end, stood her groom. And, although he didn’t shake, he smiled, too.
Railein’s past wasn’t smooth, and it was by no means normal or conventional. A victim of drug and alcohol abuse, she found herself in and out of tight situations, and even in and out of jail. A final series of rehabilitation programs and jail sentences caused her to reevaluate her life, allowing her to finally choose sobriety.
Oh, yes. And then there was Patrick.
To be honest, I couldn’t quite tell you how they met; I don’t even know myself. All I know is that it was good. A Marine Corps member, Patrick is a tall (and very manly) figure, with the knowledge of how to quickly kill a man with ease. At least that’s how he was introduced to me. I always found him to be more of a tall goof that loved my cousin better than anyone had before, in the w
ay that she needed and deserved.
Because of her rough past, Railein was often judged and deemed unworthy. She found herself an outcast in her own family, and her poor decisions often led to her homelessness. When turned away by her father, however, she always found herself welcome in our home. I had always liked her, but it was only then that she became like a second sibling to me.
We understood one another because of our otherness. I knew more about her than I led on to believe, but, as she felt more comfortable around me, she began to tell me about her misfortunes. She trusted me, and I loved her. There was always something different about me, and I hadn’t yet figured it out. Although I was still unsure, I was aware of its existence. Railein made me feel at home with myself. She made me feel comfortable with me and with the world around me. She was my friend. She is my friend. I love her.
In the spring of 2010 Patrick proposed to Railein, and it was the final signal of success. Sober for over two years, she had managed to put her abusive relationships with men and drugs behind her. Her past was tarnished, but her future would remain untouched. She had overcome the worst, and she would push forward with a man that could love and support
her better than anyone else could. They set the date for after my college graduation- a time when I could fly home and attend- and they began to plan. And then she became pregnant.
The pregnancy scared Railein at first. It was sudden and unexpected, causing unforeseen difficulties. She needed Patrick’s health care for
her first trimester, and that meant that they needed to be married. After many difficult debates (and much arguing) everything was settled. A new date was decided upon- a time when I would be home visiting. The arrangements were made, and the wedding was had.
Was it the fairytale ending that she had hoped for, the glass slippers and magical ceremony? Maybe not. Perhaps it was more rushed, more stressful, more chaotic than she imagined. Perhaps the audience was
slightly more intoxicated than she would have wished. But she walked down that aisle, shaking and smiling (and sober) toward the man that she loved. Her best friends and family were there to witness her success. And all were proud.
Patrick and Railein said their vows, and they kissed. They cut their cake and went through all of the traditional gambits. They mingled, and then I imagine they drove away. We left, so I am not entirely sure. But there is one thing about this story that I do know for sure.
They lived happily ever after.
