It's Time

Maggie woke up to the sound of rain beating down on the roof. “Don’t panic,” she thought, “We have plenty of time for it to stop.” So many thoughts were running through her mind as she showered and got dressed.
“Good morning Maggie, happy wedding day!” Sarah, her cousin, said while fixing breakfast. The rest of the girls woke up and they all ate breakfast, then Maggie was off the get her hair done, while the girls started their own hair and make-up. Maggie had always dreamed of her wedding day, and now it was here. She was so anxious to get things started, but yet so nervous as to how things would turn out.
“Hunny, this day is going to fly by, remember to cherish every moment.”
“Mom, you’ve told me that already.”
“I know, but I just want this day to be everything you have ever dreamed of, and I don’t want you to get too caught up in everything, that you miss out on the most important day of your life.”
“Okay mom, please stop crying, you’re going to make me cry already.”
“Okay Okay I’m done.”
As Maggie and her mom entered the salon, they wiped away all the tears and were ready to get going. Maggie sat in the chair and the hair stylist began working. Within about forty-five minutes the hair was done and they were ready to place the veil in. Maggie looked in awe once her hair was complete. “This day is really here,” she thought, “Wow.”
“Okay, time for make-up.” The stylists said as she started getting set up. Maggie explained what she wanted her make-up to look like and they began.
“Maggie, you look so beautiful!” exclaimed her mom.
“Thanks, but again, no crying yet!”
“Alright, let’s get going.”
The drive back to the wedding venue seemed like forever for Maggie. She just wanted to get back and finish getting ready. It was still raining, and the wedding is supposed to be outside. Maggie was beginning to panic a little. They had come up with a back up plan for if it would rain, but Maggie did not want that. Finally, Maggie and her mom returned. The bridesmaids were had their hair done, the flowers and bouquets had arrived, and for the most part, things were going as planned. Maggie looked through the flowers and bouquets to make sure they were all good. As she looked outside to where the ceremony would be held, she said a short prayer. The rain was slowing down, but the ground was too soft to put any chairs down yet.
“Maggie, you need to eat something,” her mom said.
“Oh yeah, I’m actually really hungry.”
Maggie and her bridesmaids sat down to eat some lunch while they talked about the exciting day. Maggie still couldn’t believe it was here. She can remember when she was about five years old, planning her wedding out. By the time Maggie was in middle school she had all her colors picked out, and the time of year she wanted to have it. Everything seemed to change since then, not because she changed her mind, but because with school, they had to get married in the summer. At that moment Maggie began to think about other child hood memories. She blocked everything else out, all the talking and laughing. Maggie pictured her and her brother playing outside on the farm, ridding four wheelers. She imagined her family playing baseball out in the front yard. She missed those times. In that moment, she wasn’t ready to grow up. Before Maggie knew it, tears were coming down her face. She dabbed her face quickly as to not mess up the make-up.
“Maggie hunny, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing mom, I’m just thinking about memories from when I was little. I just want to go back to those days. It’s funny how when you are little, all you dream about is when you’re in high school, or when you can drive, or when you meet that special someone, or most of all, your wedding day. When you do actually “grow up” you want to go back to when you were little and didn’t have anything to worry about. You were care free and had fun all the time. I’m not ready to grow up.”
“Oh I know how you feel, but you know you are ready.”
“I know. I’m not really being serious, but it is a little sad to see yourself growing up and you can’t stop it.”
“Oh trust me, if I had a way to stop you and your brother from growing up, I would have done it!”
They both began to laugh as the wedding coordinator came in to tell them that everything is all good, and they are going to start setting up the chairs. Maggie and the bridesmaids finished getting ready so they could go get their pictures taken. Everyone came into the room where Maggie began putting on her dress. They were all so excited.
“Mom, now please don’t cry, I don’t want to have to ruin my make-up yet.”
“I won’t, I won’t”
“Mom, stop!”
“Oh my goodness, you look incredible.”
Everyone screamed with excitement and they were off for pictures. Once the pictures were done, Maggie got out of her dress and tried to relax. They all ate some more and sat around to talk.
“Are you nervous?” asked one of the bridesmaids.
“Not yet, I don’t know if it’s just because I’ve been so busy, or if it just hasn’t hit me yet.”
Maggie sat at a window watching some guests arrive. Her grandmother came in to give her a ring from her great-great-great-great grandmother, for her something old. Suddenly Maggie began to become pretty nervous. She felt sick to her stomach and multiple emotions began to arise.
“Does anyone have any tumbs, or anything for my stomach?”
Maggie’s mom quickly found something. Maggie and her bridesmaids prayed together and Maggie began to feel calm again.
“Okay, time to get dressed. The wedding starts in fifteen minutes.” exclaimed the coordinator.
They all rushed around to get dressed and ready. Maggie was back in a whirlwind. The happiest day of her life was here and about to start.
“Maggie are you ready?” asked her mom.
“I’ve been ready for this day my whole life.”