Mack, Christie, Roy, and Wade bring hay bales and blankets, creating picnic-style seating in the backyard. Elena, Carmela, and Mom provide a buffet-style meal on the back porch, featuring smoked meats and all their best desserts. Peter delivers a replica of the G&G’s smoking porch, only with windows overlooking the lake, for our altar. Wren decorates it with gauzy tulle, twinkle lights, and hanging crystals that create prisms in the sunlight. Marigold provides a comic-book-style wedding program that tells the story of Shadow Man and his sunshiny nemesis, Fire-Bright. Luke and Gil team up as deejays. Alice Harvey brings lavender bouquets and arrangements, and my new bestie, Ivy, acts as our official photographer. They set up games as table centerpieces for the reception and put little bowties on the dogs and cats.

Tamsyn and Willow bring a gorgeous a-line, sweetheart, corset dress, off-white and covered in embroidered wildflowers. Mom says it flatters my figure while still making me look like a princess. That’s how I feel, too, like I’ve walked off the page of some fairy tale. But more than that, I stare in the long mirror of our bedroom, surrounded by my favorite women, and I feel confident and empowered.

Mom does my hair, expertly knotting it into an intricate, romantic braided updo with flowers intertwined. Mel does my nails and make-up—she’s definitely less of a bulldog now that her best friend is back in her life. Carmela takes care of my something old and something borrowed by lending me a delicate gold bracelet with multicolored gems.

Not that I need the tradition, but a little extra luck wouldn’t hurt.

Soon, I’m ready.

I couldn’t have planned a better wedding. It’s more perfect that I didn’t for all its delightful surprises. It’s everything I love in the place I love. With none of the stress of a traditional wedding—I’m not the go-to girl; I’m the cherished bride. Fussed over. Loved.

Music plays. Wade walks me down the aisle behind Tilly, our flower girl. Christie acts as our officiant. Mack is Grady’s best man, and Marigold stands beside me as my maid of honor. Surrounded by our big, beautiful family, I meet the man who changed my story forever on the lake’s edge, ready to pledge my love to him officially.

With watering eyes, Wade kisses my cheek before moving aside for Grady. He smiles, and I giggle. I can’t help it, especially as he wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me close.

His forehead drifts against mine. “My beautiful Marina.”

“My handsome Grady.”

“Thanks for meeting me here.”

I smile sheepishly. “You know I’ll meet you anywhere. Thanks for making it easy.”

His brow kinks. “Do you like it?”

“I love it.” The words escape in a breathless moan, nearly making me tear up, especially at his worried expression when asking the question. “It’s truly perfect.”