Cold Rainy January Day

All through the house, I heard the same disappointed thoughts coming out of everyone’s mouth.

“The day is ruined.” “This is terrible.” “What are we going to do?” “Why today?” Everyone was concerned as they prepared to leave for the church. The rain was so heavy that just walking to the car would soak your clothes. But everyone pushed forward.

There was so much to get done before we arrived, and the drive would take twice as long due to the deluge. Mom and Dad were at our house, and my mind went back to the memories of all those chaotic mornings when our family was getting ready to go to church and the racing drive that followed. There would be no racing today. The roads were flooding, and I could not risk an accident. We all had to get there safely!

This would be the most important service in my memory. Even Steve, our pastor, would not miss this day. We would have understood if he had taken the day off. After all, it was his birthday, but he was so gracious and said he would not miss this service for anything.

The children yelled as they got in the car, and the cold rain soaked their clothes and stung their skin. “Dad, this is terrible,” one shouted. “Don’t worry, you can change clothes at the church,” I replied.

My hands gripped the steering wheel hard enough to cut the circulation off to my fingers, but I held on, and we made it to the church. Once we were in the parking lot, I relaxed and waited for the feeling to return. Now, we had to time our run to the church door with a let up in the sheets of rain that were falling.

Inside, we changed into dry clothes. Robert was playing with a ring he was carrying around and lost it while we were changing. Thomas, Mom, and I joined him to scour the floor until we found it. Finally, we could go into the sanctuary.

I had just stepped in and stopped when I looked up and saw a beautiful lady walking toward me. “I should recognize her,” I thought. Her hair was not down as usual, and she did not have her glasses on, but as she came closer, I could see that it was Pam, my fiancé.

When I reach out my hand, she took it.

As Steve began his last prayer, she whispered, ”Is it still raining?” Her smile struck me, and I smiled, half letting out a slight laugh. “What rain?” I asked. And she quietly giggled.

With the “Amen” we rose to our feet. Then Steve said the words we had been waiting to hear for so long – “I now pronounce you Man and Wife.”

I kissed her, and suddenly that cold, rainy, January day lit up with the sunshine and warmth that only love can bring.