THREE

“Dong Youngbae and  Seung Haejung,” the priest looks at the both of them with a gentle smile before he expands his look into the room and continues.

“Today you enter as individuals, but you will leave here as husband and wife, blending your lives, expanding your family ties, and embarking upon the grandest adventure of human interaction. The story of your life together is still yours to write. All those present have come to witness and celebrate your love and commitment this day, eager to be a part of the story not yet told.”

The woman in front of Youngbae smiles tenderly, and he does the same back as he gives her hand a soft squeeze.

“Dong Youngbae and  Seung Haejung, today you choose each other before your family and friends, to begin your life together. For all the tomorrows that follow, you will choose each other over and again, in the privacy of your hearts. Let your love and friendship guide you, as you learn and grow together. Experience the wonders of the world, even as patience and wisdom calm the restless nature. Through your partnership, triumph over the challenges in your path. Through the comfort of loving arms, may you always find a safe place to call home.”

Again Youngbae smiles, but this time it’s not directed at his soon-to-be wife, but at his best man that’s standing near his other side. That man smiles back, and even though I’ve always thought I’ve seen every smile of him there is to see, I’ve never seen that smile before in my life. My head momentarily bows down and I let out some air. Even now, after all this time, he can still surprise me this easily.

Then the priest starts talking again, and my eyes find their way back to the front. I know I’m supposed to be watching the happy pair, but I can’t seem to concentrate. All I hear is the subdued droning voice of the priest ebbing away as all my attention is devoted to the dark-haired best man. The left side of my lips curls up. I remember all the different colours he’s had before, and I come to the conclusion I like this the best on him. It’s natural, it’s pure. I’m trying my hardest to make eye-contact, but his eyes are fixed on the couple. I notice the smile once again. He seems happy. Genuinely happy, and I know it’s a selfish thing to do, but I feel hurt that he is. How is it he can live in utter bliss without me, when I’m completely miserable without him?

“Do you, Dong Youngbae, take Seung Haejung to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, to support and respect her in her successes and as well her failures, to care for her in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part?”

The question pulls me out of my thoughts and my eyes flash back in Youngbae’s direction. He smiles.

“I do,” he says. In his words you can hear his determination, his love. When he says ‘I do’, he means it. The priest then looks at the woman and repeats the same sentence, only the names changed. She smiles too and nods while softly saying: “Of course I do.” She blushes at how eager she sounds, generating the most loving gaze Youngbae’s ever shown in public on his face.

The priest then smiles as well as he beckons a little boy. The little one jumps up and runs his way to the altar with a little bit too much excitement, so when he reaches upon the step, he stumbles and falls. You can see everyone’s mouth in the room fall open simultaneously, some kids in the back even start laughing. The boy’s on the verge of tears, and he’s about to open his mouth in order to let his cries flow out as well, but he’s smoothly picked up by an angel. The latter smiles, whispers something, and pats his head. At first the boy looks confused, but then he loudly laughs and happily skips his way to the happy couple. He raises the heart-shaped cushion with the rings on it, and smiles broadly. Youngbae looks up to the dark-haired man, and slightly bows his head as his lips curl upward once more. The priest then heaves a relieved sigh.

“You have for each other two golden rings. This most precious of metals symbolizes that love is the most precious element in your life together. The ring has no beginning and no ending, which symbolizes that the love between you will never cease. You place these rings upon each other’s fingers as a visible sign of the vows which, this day, have made you husband and wife.”

Everyone in the room has fallen completely silent. Their eyes glued to the happenings in the front. The older woman at the main table, who I recognize as Youngbae’s mother, is searching for her handkerchief as tears of joy start welling up.

“Wedding rings are made precious by our wearing them. Your rings say