Stevie handed her bouquet of yellow roses to Mia and took Cody’s hands in hers. “I wrote pages and pages of vows. Then I realized that in all my worry about vows, I was saying something from my mind, not from my heart. So, I tore them all up and decided to let my heart speak today. It says that it’s been in love with you since I was a teenager. In those days it was just puppy love, and that doesn’t last forever. It also says that what we have isn’t just for this life, but it’s deep enough and strong enough to last through all eternity. That’s because it takes your heart to complete mine. Without it mine would stop pumping, and I wouldn’t survive. So, today, Cody Ryan, I will happily change my name from O’Dell to Ryan, but it’s more than just a name change for me, it’s accepting you as my husband, and promising to cherish, respect, and share our lives…love,” she said with a grin.

Cody chuckled and stared into her eyes. “I didn’t know that I was only half-alive until we got stranded together in that winter storm. You complete me, and I vow to honor, to cherish you, respect you, and to love you even beyond my last breath.”

“Well, it looks like this couple have said their vows, so now, there’s little left to do but go on with the ceremony”—the preacher held up two gold wedding bands—“so let’s just get on with the exchanging of rings.”

When that was done, the preacher said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Cody, you may kiss the bride.”

Cody pulled her to his chest and said, “I love you, Stevie Ryan.”

“I love you right back, Dr. Cowboy,” she whispered.

Then he sealed their vows with a long kiss. When it ended, Mia handed the bouquet back to Stevie, and the preacher said, “Folks are waiting in the fellowship hall on all y’all. There’s food, cake, and presents for you to enjoy before you leave on your honeymoon. If whoever is taking family pictures will take mine with the bride and groom first, I’ll go on ahead and help my wife and the other ladies with the final touches.”

Beau stepped up with a camera. “I’m the photographer today. I’ve only ever taken wildlife pictures, but I’ll do my best.”