SATURDAY. The mood in the cathedral could be described aptly as a symphony of happy tears.

Many guests had arrived quite early, with some having flown into Nigeria the previous night, while others travelled down from other states within the country.

The cathedral is exquisitely decorated in pristine white drapes and sparkly silver linings.

At each intersection of seated guests are short pillars of flowers, comprising of fragrant fresh roses and rich honeysuckle.

In accordance with the colour of the day, most guests are dressed in shades of silver or white adding to the overwhelming ambience of the cathedral.

The priest takes the tall pulpit, his green chasuble glistening in the golden light of the huge chandelier above. Arranging his stole, he begins a short sermon on the institution of marriage.

On the outer edges of the first row are four beautiful bridesmaids, all dressed in matching custom made Adedimi Fagbenro couture silver dresses.

Boma and Chinny sit closely together on that row, adding the final adjustments to their fascinators. The girls are filled and overflowing with excitement. Beside them is little Imba, dressed in a custom made white ball gown, and rhinestoned tiara, holding the exceptional duty of flower girl.

Unlike the traditional marriage ceremony yesterday, where colour, beaded jewellery and native high-life music filled the event centre, today's pace is slower and more intense.

A few minutes following the sermon, the priest announces, "May we rise."

The doors of the cathedral are swept open and there, in a reflection of her immaculate white dress in the radiant sunlight, Mina looks every ounce more angelic than she had wished. This although is known only to the admiring congregation who make no chore of belting out amazed gasps here and there.

Amongst the guests are many family and friends, many of which Boma has never seen in real life.

To the end of the second row, in the intersection closest to the alter are Mina's foster siblings. At some point in their lives, they all lived with each other and for each other. Then in different ways, they shared the same pains and joys until Mina disappeared. To them, the story of Tee and Mina is a fairytale out of a picture frame.

To the other end of the second intersection, are a legion of co-workers. Sitting on that end is the event planner and closest friend of Mina, the renowned Lisa Busiswe. Mina had met her at a seminar she attended a few weeks after she and Boma first moved back to Nigeria. Lisa had been recently separated from her husband and so moved to Nigeria from Cape town with her daughter. For eternity, they worked on A list events together, with Mina mostly serving as the resource manager for the catering group.

Also among the guests are a majority of the Lawson kindred from the village. Being the only guests to flaunt the 'strictly western' dress code, the women are clad in silver lace blouses and heavy indian wrappers, caps nestled with decorative mirrors and feathers, and heavy coral jewellery. The men are dressed in corresponding silver indian wrappers, tailored with great detail, like regal robes meant only for high chiefs. Mina's sisters, Clara and Ibiwari are also seated amongst them, wearing smiles of gratitude and false sophistication.

The organ booms to life as the organist begins playing the hymn as selected by Mina.

'O come, to the father,
Through Jesus, his son,
Who loved he the world that he gave us his son
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin and give him the glory,
Great things he hath done.'

In the moment of pause that followed the organ, Mina looks up, straight ahead, she sights her groom. If her pulse raced before, now it flipped within the confines of her joyful heart.

There, in his white customized Burberry Tuxedo, he stands at ease, hands clutched tightly before him, unable to keep his tears away.

Mina's own eyes are not free of joyful warmth but she promised Boma to hold off the tears for a while longer.

"Praise the Lord!"

Mina takes the first step.

"Praise the Lord!"

The harmonious sounds encompass her being as she takes short slow strides towards the altar.

Her custom made Adedimi Fagbenro haute couture dress arrived only yesterday, receiving a warm welcome of tears and giggles from Boma and Chinny, and now, with every step she takes, the lengthy white veil trails magically behind her. Each crystal, intentionally embroidered in place to reflect even the tiniest array of light, all while holding a beautiful bouquet of fresh white tulips.

As Mina approaches the frontline of the cathedral, Boma, Chinny and the three other bridesmaids:

Danielle, 15, daughter of Mina's foster sister Keisha. A beautiful plump light-brown skinned girl with bright brown eyes, full lips and a sweet smile.

Melanie, 18, the daughter of Tee's bestfriend and bestman, Mide. With smooth shiny black skin, skinny arms and lanky legs-like Boma-she presents with an almost exotic kind of beauty. Featuring round black eyes, a straight small nose and taut oval-shaped lips of interlaced shades of blank and pink.

The last girl, Frida, 17, is the daughter of Mina's closest friend Lisa. Although she almost had a fallout with Chinny from suggesting that she take the forefront, Boma has always known Frida to be the petite, oak-brown skinned girl with eyes too bright and tongue too sharp.

In pairs of two, the four girls take a stand on opposite sides of the aisle, while little Imba takes centre, spreading white petals of fragrant flowers with an undeniable sunny smile registered permanently on her face.

At the altar, Tee takes Mina's hands, finding it increasingly difficult to keep his tears under control.

"You may have your seat, brethren."

The cathedral quiets down from the shuffling noises before the priest speaks again.

"We are gathered here on this beautiful Saturday morning, to witness the joining in Holy matrimony between our dearly beloved Miss Mina Francine Lawson and Mr. Trevor James-Brown, who have decided to make known their union in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we have the rings please?"

Mide walks up to altar, handing the rings over to a teary Tee who hands it to the priest, but not before giving him a manly pat on the shoulder which ultimately results in an eruption of joyful chuckles from the congregation.

"I believe you wrote your vows?" the priest asks

The couple turn their attention towards him and nod.

Tee begins, "On the day I was formed I was formed incomplete. As I grew, I remained incomplete. I asked the lord and prayed every day, to complete me in the way only he can, and for years I had my whole with me but I was perfectly blinded.

When finally I saw again, I saw my whole world before me. On this day before God and before the ears and hearts of our beloved family or friends, I vow to love you like the Jesus loves the church.

I vow to hold you not as a part but as one with myself. With everything that I am and will be, I want to be in truth, to you, and you alone.

Wherever the tides may flow high or low with me you always have a sail and in me, you will always have a haven. Until and even after we're separated from this world to another one unknown. "

"Do you miss Mina, Francine Lawson, take Trevor James-Brown to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

Aww's fill the air.

The priest turns towards Mina.

"When my life was nothing more than a dark existence, you were the only light offered to me. When I was kicked down and bruised you were always there to offer me a bone of strength.

Now with every beat of my heart and pulse within my soul, on this faithful before God, before the hosts of Heaven, before every living breathing soul.

I vow to hold you all the days of my life. To provide you with strength when you're are weak, to give you all of me and take on all of you.

To have no past present or future aside you; to cling to you and all that you are regardless of what tune life hums. To be the bone of your bone and flesh of your flesh."

"Do you Mr. Trevor James-Brown, take miss Mina Francine Lawson to be you're lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do." Tee says.

"If anyone has a reason why this two should not be joined in Holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

The air in the cathedral has attained the higher density of held breaths. The priest hands the rings over.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

They exchange the rings.

"amen."

"You may kiss your bride."

There, in a brief moment in history, everyone takes a stand, clapping and cheering.

The couple have taken the vows and they are officially married, but deep down in the hearts of everyone, they only know of their yearning to step into the reception venue for the after party.

◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇~◇
You are very welcome to get dressed and meet us at the wedding reception. Our RSVP goes to:
keniemarsh1212
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shitddy
9ja_green_ink
happykush
bakerneerhya2000
Tabi20
3reebees
divina108
AaliyahMicheals
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Tritty_pet
BeverlyEwoh
OutgoingLoner_7
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@--stephanyy--
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....I'm sorry if you weren't tagged, I love you so much too... don't even play...

And all my silent readers you are all invited.