Diary of a Country Girl

Chapter Nine:

Dear diary,

Our new ranch is off to a great start. My garden is coming along nicely. I already several fruit trees and berry bushes planted for the nectar business. Tre has been busy practicing his nectar making. He’s going to handle that side of the business while I grow the fruit we’ll use to make them. He’s already crafted a few batches that we have aging in our cellar. Since we’re still learning those bottles are strictly for us. Once we’re both happy we have a grasp on things we’ll start bottling nectar to sell.

In the midst of that we had party set up to do. Our double ranch warming and vow renewal. I can hear my mom, “It’s not vow renewal girl, you need a proper wedding first.” I know she and Consuela won’t say they felt cheated by the way our marriage happened. But I can read between the lines. They did feel like they missed out on something special. It wasn’t the day any of us had pictured. The day is going to be a small intimate affair for the people closest to us. I found a lovely floral arch and some nice arrangements. I can’t have enough greenery around me. For a town its size, Chestnut Ridge has a nice party supply store. We found everything we needed to create the perfect setting for our little country wedding. We can finally say we had a truly special wedding day. 

I really think the way our marriage happened it hit my dad the hardest. He hid it in that stoic way of his. He didn’t get the chance to walk me down the aisle. Tre didn’t come to him in private and ask for his blessing. And he missed the chance to scare the hell out of his future son-in-law. Like most dads love to do. Not in person anyway. It wasn’t like I called home one day and said; “Oh by the way I met a guy named Tre and we’re married.” We had lots of video chats. Dozens. My parents had gotten to know Tre that way. And he did have that conversation with my parents, where he asked their blessing. Until it happened I wasn’t sure how that would go over with him. Or my mom. Happening online like that. Knowing my dad he wanted to take Tre out to the patio, grill steaks, share some beers, have that man to man talk. And explain to him what would happen if he did anything to hurt me. Physically or emotionally. My daddy is the sweetest guy, but I think it’s something in men’s DNA. I’ll never understand it but it is one of their little male rituals.

We were busy all day Saturday getting meals ready for our guests. Tre got the grill going to make his amazing ribs and his mom’s pollo a la brasa. 

While he was manning the grill I was busy making desserts. And a pot of my gumbo. We had a wonderful selection of dishes for our guests. The joys of an intimate gathering. We could give our guests food for our hearts.

Sunday morning came and we couldn’t afford to sleep in. There was so much to do before everyone arrived. We had nervously watched the weather forecast all week. Spring time weather in Chestnut Ridge can be very unpredictable. We were blessed with a picture perfect day. We quickly got the finishing touches done and we were ready to welcome our friends and family.

I didn’t want anything elaborate or overly frilly for the ceremony. It’s not me. I left that woman in San Myshuno. When I feel the need to wear heels I slip into my comfy cowboy boots. If I’m feeling a little girly a little lip gloss does the trick. For this occasion a nice dress, a new hat and new pair of boots is good enough for me. I still know my way around a set of makeup brushes too. Often the simplest look is the most stylish. It’s fun to have a little splash of color on my nails for a few days. But it would be murder trying to maintain them when my hands spend so much time in the dirt. If someone invents a nail polish that can stand up to that, call me. I'm here for that.

I had a few minutes with my mom before the ceremony. It was so wonderful to see her eyes light up and her beautiful smile. It was obvious this day meant as much to her as it did to Tre and I. She’s my world and I just hope that someday I can be even half the mother and woman she is. I wish she was still here in Chestnut Ridge with us. But she’s made a rich, amazing life and career for herself as a professor in Brindleton Bay. I know how much it means to her. Being a professor was always her dream. My dad was willing to uproot his life and move to the other side of the country just so she could take her dream job. I cherish every minute I get to spend with her.

And speaking of that wonderful man I call daddy, I couldn’t help myself. The look of pride is his eyes as we stood at the aisle just made me cry. Like mom, this day meant so much to him. My happiness is their happiness and vice versa. I know I write it here often, but I am so blessed and lucky to have the life I have and the people I have around me.

I had been through this once before with Tre. But this time was so much different. I’ve never felt so nervous in my life. Our marriage was official already. But in that moment, in front of everyone important to us, everything felt so intense, so real, and yet still dreamlike. It’s like the year we had been husband and wife had only been make believe. I could have just floated away in sheer bliss. 

I am now, and forevermore, Aurora Carter. My heart is Tre’s and his heart is mine. Our souls are intertwined for eternity. Nothing can ever change that. We’ll have good moments. We’ll have bad moments. We’ll make a lifetime of memories. What matters most is we’ll do it all together.