Page 90 of Solomon’s Temple

“And now I can finally say I feel full—happy. I don’t need a mouthful of fancy words to tell you how much I love you, honor you, and respect you. You know what it is and will be from the moment I met you until my body hits the dirt. I want forever with you. The fights, the makeups, the love, the sick days, all that. You were made for me, Temple. And I pray this love we share lasts a lifetime.”

I took my thumb and swiped away a tear that clung to the corner of her eye.

“I honestly had no idea what direction my life would take me. I had been living life without a plan, other than to do whatever I wanted with it. When I met you, I realized that I was never living. Only existing. My Ma Lula didn’t lie when she said you were made for me.

“You made me soft where I was hard, relaxed where I was stubborn, and poured into me when I didn’t believe I was even capable of standing in front of you right now, saying these things. I love you, Solomon Jacob Matthews. I’m ready to face those challenges and walk into my forever with you too.”

I smiled as Pastor Daniels stepped forward.

“Do you, Solomon, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold? For richer or poorer? For better or worse? Through sickness and in health? ’Til death do you part?”

“I do.”

“Do you, Temple, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold? For richer or poorer? For better or worse? Through sickness and in health? ’Til death do you part?”

“I do.”

“By the power that has been invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

And I did . . . slow, passionate, and with love.

As Temple and I made it to the ballroom where the reception was held, my mother stopped us before we entered. I took a step back and let my mother have the floor.

“I won’t be long-winded. I promise.”

Temple gave a small nod. “I’m listening.”

“I’m so very sorry for how I treated you at dinner. As I told Solomon, I’m my own worst enemy. You didn’t deserve that, and your grandmother was right. I should have never spoken to you that way or invited Shareece to try and run you away. I pray to God that you find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“I’ve already forgiven you, Mrs. Urina. I admit, I was a little pissy with you when I left your house, but I realized there was nothing you could say to stop me from being with your son. I’m not a gold digger; I’ll never hurt him, and you can trust me to be the woman he needs and not let my past define me. I thank you for your apology, and I hope that dinner was the last time we have to go through this.”

“It is. I promise.”

“Then we’re good. Thank you for coming.” Temple wrapped her arms around my mother, and Urina smiled and hugged her back tightly.

“Thank you, beautiful.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let's go party.” Temple laughed as the ushers opened the doors, and we walked inside.

The lights in the ballroom had dimmed, leaving nothing but a soft golden glow over the dance floor.

It was finally time for our first dance after we ate, danced, and cut the cake.

Everyone had stopped talking, paused eating, and stopped drinking.

For those few minutes, it felt like the entire room belonged to us.

Temple rested her hand against my shoulder as I held her close, my palm spread across the small of her back.

The opening notes of “Spend My Life” by Eric Benet and Tamia floated through the ballroom.

I looked down at my wife.

My wife.

Even now, the words felt almost too good to be true.

She smiled up at me. “What?” she whispered.