I wake with the sun filling my room. Go to sleep at 2:15, and somehow it doesn't seem so guilt-inducing to sleep until ten in the morning. It was far too hot in my room last night - I've taken to sleeping with the window open the last few nights, and apparently fell into bed sans pj's again. Not like it's any real concern - habit keeps me entirely and modestly covered by blankets while I'm sleeping - I feel vulnerable if I manage to kick the sheet off, and it wakes me enough to retrieve it.
Stretch as I always do, arching my back and holding it before collapsing once more. I usually manage to tense up a lot of my muscles while dreaming, and the release makes me just want to relax for another few hours. But, it's time to get up.
In a minute.
Smile stretches across my face. It looks to be a lovely day for Emily. August weddings are chancy with a continental climate - it could have been an absolute scorcher, and her ceremony is to be outside. It's a rather lovely garden, at the home of a couple who lets the church's college crowd invade twice a month. Their marriage is what I'd like my own to be like.
I realize Emily probably woke up a few hours ago, busy with plans, but I fancy for a moment that she's waking up at the same time, to appreciate the sun and the cool air and the hope of the new day. I wonder what she's thinking about - details for the wedding, plans for her marriage, praying, or something entirely different.
Emily's soul-pretty. She's pretty when you first meet her, but her spirit comes to embrace you before long, and it's gentle, and beautiful. And it shows through, when she's singing and playing congas, or simply listening. She's the leader of our small group by default - she definitely didn't ask for it, wouldn't ask for it. She's not any older than the rest of us. But we gravitate to her kindness, and we immediately look to her as our leader.
I rise, stretching once more and letting my arms fall, thinking that she's going to take my breath away when I see her as a bride. I haven't been to too many weddings, and this is the first where I knew the bride enough to know more of her spirit. Rahni's would have been wonderful, but Rahni's religion and mine differ, so that I couldn't be at the ceremony. Probably just as well - I think I would have fallen in love with her on the spot and declared that Chris had no claim to her, as I'd known her longer. Then Sam would have gotten involved and said, no, SHE'D known Rahni longer, SHE should get to decide. Chaos would ensue. No, probably just as well that I didn't. But Emily...sigh.
This has probably already been done a number of times, but I'm going to send a note Heaven's way. Just to make sure Emily's mom is watching today. She's going to want to see this.
