The wedding venue was absolutely stunning.

My sister, Alyssa, had a really nice wedding. It was on the beach, and then at a convention hall down in Cape May right after, but this wedding that I went to with Kori was positively grand.

The room in which the ceremony was happening had floor to ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings, and their beams cascaded within soft white wisteria and fairy lights that twinkled like stars above. The rows of chairs were all adorned with blush-colored satin bows tied to the back, and there was a grand floral arch at the altar with soft, pastel flowers.

I sat next to Kori and Mike, with Charley on Mike's other side. As the ceremony happened, and vows were read, I learned this was the second marriage for Amanda, the bride, and Ivan, her new husband.

I couldn't help but glance over at Kori as vows were being read.

I wonder if she'd get married again one day?

At one point as I glanced over at Kori, she must've felt my gaze on her, because she glanced back at me and smiled softly.

After the ceremony there was a cocktail hour, which went by quickly as I was introduced to quite a lot of people by Charley. She and the bride were best friends in college. I was nervous that I was going to feel out of place considering I was younger than a lot of the people there, but thankfully I didn't. Especially not with Kori by my side.

Kori held my hand as much as possible, keeping me by her side.

At one point toward the end of cocktail hour I turned to Kori and smiled, "This is really nice. I'm glad to be here with you."

Kori smiled back at me, "I'm so glad you were able to come with me, Ash. This would've been quite boring without you to be honest."

I laughed, "Even in this gorgeous venue?"

Kori gave me a meaningful look and said, "Not any more gorgeous than the lady standing next to me."

Inside the ballroom was dazzled with chandeliers, casting a glow on the wood flooring. The tables were draped in ivory silk, with floral centerpieces containing white roses and peonies, interspersed with tea candles in holders that made the tables look positively dreamy.

Everyone was assigned seats, and I was between Kori and Charley.

Charley looked great in a wine red dress, and I complimented her.

"Thanks so much, Ashley!" she said, "You look stunning as well, my sister has good taste. You know, I can't remember the last time I was able to get all dolled up like this. It feels good."

"Thank you," I smiled at Charley, "I'm sure it's tough to find time with the kids."

"Delilah and Elliot sure are a handful," Charley rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Hey, if you ever need a date night with Mike one night I'd be happy to babysit them," I suggested.

Charley's eyes widened, "Really? I might have to take you up on that. You were so good with them at the bakery."

"I love kids." I said to Charley, "I wouldn't mind at all."

A few moments later, Kori said to me, "I hope you don't mind, when I was told that I could bring you with me, I had to tell Amanda which entree you would want. I went with the salmon out of that, chicken, and steak. Is that okay?"

"You know me well, that's exactly what I would have chosen," I said to Kori.

"I thought so," Kori nodded, "That's what I chose as well."

There was a DJ already playing music, and I asked Kori, "Do you think you'll dance?"

Kori chuckled, "Maybe. I'm not exactly the best dancer."

"Neither am I, but I'm going to want to dance with you," I smiled at her.

She chuckled, "Fine, I'll dance with you."

At one point during the reception, when we were eating, Kori asked me, "Can we step outside for a moment? I need some fresh air. Of course if you want to stay here, by all means, I'll be right back."

I stood up, "I'll go with you."

Kori took my hand in hers, I grabbed my jacket with the other hand, and we walked outside of the reception, and then outside of the hotel where the wedding was being held.

As it was still early March, it was chilly out, so I slipped on my jacket over my sleeveless dress.

"Are you alright?" I asked Kori when we stepped outside.

I glanced over at Kori, who looked incredible, per usual. She wore a crisp navy blue pantsuit, and she also smelled intoxicating.

She looked at me, "I'm alright. There's just a lot of people in there, and I needed a moment with my girl. Just us."

There was a twinkle in her eye, and I looked at her and smiled.

"These are the moments I like the most. Just us," I said to Kori.

Kori smiled back at me, making my heart skip a beat.

I don't know what came over me, but I found myself asking Kori, "Would you get married again? Sorry. Not to bring up your previous marriage."

Kori looked at me and nodded slowly, "I would get married again, yes. I haven't written it off. I was 28 when I got married for the first time. Who's to not say it wouldn't work out for a second time?"

"I think that's a good attitude to have. Just because it didn't work out the first time, doesn't mean it wouldn't again."

Kori held my gaze and said, "Very true."

She then looked down for a split second and spoke, "I'd want my next wedding to be something very small and intimate. My first wedding was...not that. Even though I wanted something very small. I kind of got bullied into doing otherwise."

"Was it at a big venue with a lot of people?" I asked Kori.

She nodded, "It was. If I'm being honest, I disliked just about every second of it."

"That's a shame. No one should feel that way at their own wedding."

Kori gave me a soft smile, "Well...if I have a second, it'll be much different."

"I've never wanted a big wedding," I said to Kori and then smiled, "Just saying."

Kori smiled and chuckled, "Good to know. Very good to know."

A moment later, we went inside, as it was starting to get very chilly.

When we walked inside the venue, the song "Return of the Mack" by Mack Morrison was playing.

Kori nodded happily and said, "Alright, I can get down to this."

"Then let's dance!" I smiled at Kori and took her hand to lead her to the dance floor. There were plenty of people already dancing and moving their bodies to the beat.

Kori looked a bit self conscious at first when we made our way to the dance floor, but as I started to dance, Kori seemed to relax a bit.

I couldn't help but glance around to see if anyone was looking at Kori and I dancing or giving us a dirty look. No matter where, even if you're out, you sometimes have to be on alert for homophobia. Thankfully, no one seemed to be paying attention to what we were doing.

I smiled at Kori as she seemed to let loose a bit. This wasn't the place for us to grind on each other, more so to jump around and have fun. Even when the song "Pony" by Ginuwine played, which thrilled Kori.

The song then switched over to "L-O-V-E" By Nat King Cole, and to my surprise, Kori placed one hand on the small of my back, and took my hand in her free one, and started dancing to the pace of the song with me.

"L is for the way you look at me," I heard her hum the lyrics.

"This is such a classic," I said to Kori, even though on the inside, I was feeling the power of each and every lyric to the song.

"L is for the way you look at me. O is for the only one I see. V is very, very extraordinary. E is even more than anyone that you adore can. Love is all that I can give to you."

I felt it all for Kori.

As Kori looked at me, I couldn't help but wonder if she was feeling it too.

I got my confirmation when Kori pulled in close and said softly in my ear, "I love you, Ashley."

Immediately, my heart started to race and I leaned in and said in Kori's ear, "I love you, too. So much."

Kori pulled away slightly and looked surprised, "You do? I thought I was taking a shot in the dark there."

I laughed, "Of course I do, Kori. What in the world would make you think otherwise?"

Kori pulled me in close again and said, "Just my own insecurity, that's all."

It was quite rare for Kori to admit insecurity, and I appreciated the vulnerability.

I looked her in the eyes, "Well, you have nothing to be insecure about."

"Neither do you, ever," Kori said, and she then swept her eyes over me appreciatively, "Especially in that dress. I know I told you as you were getting ready, but you look absolutely stunning."

She then lowered her voice and leaned in my ear, "You'll look even more stunning with that dress on the hotel floor tonight."

As Kori spoke, a chill ran down my spine.

Oh, how I look forward to that.

Kori and I danced for a little while longer, until it was time for the bride and groom to cut the cake. After they did, Charley asked me, "Do you want me to take a few pictures of you and Kori? You look so good together."

"I'd love that," I said to Charley, "Thank you."

I went to the camera app and handed her my phone. Kori, who had overheard, put her arm around my waist and smiled for the camera. For the second photo, she leaned down slightly and kissed my cheek, making me blush.

I looked up at her and once again said, "I love you."

The words felt so sweet rolling off my tongue.

"I love you," Kori said, looking right at me, as her sister snapped another picture.

Charley handed me back my phone, and I looked at the photos, realizing they were the first taken of Kori and I. We hadn't even taken selfies together.

"Those are great pictures," Kori said to me, "Send them to me, please. If only I could make one of them my phone background."

"I was thinking the same thing," I said to her, "Maybe one day soon."

"I sure hope so," Kori said back to me.

Who knows? Maybe one day sooner than I'd think.