Days like this by Amy Westray
I had the most amazing dream, except it was not a dream exactly. It all began in the summer of 2007, in the Bahamas. It was a sun-soaked Wednesday morning and the tropical breeze became still. The date was the first of august — my birthday. Today l’d turn thirteen, a teenager I would become; however this day was not all about me. Today was about two of my friends sharing my special day with me. Julia and Rab were soon to be at midday, Mr and Mrs Meirose. Today I would be a bridesmaid and I would try my best not to show any signs that any moment I would burst out with tears right from the beginning of the ceremony.
The morning began with a quite familiar song of “Happy Birthday”. Once I was properly awake I got ready and planned my day. First, I would sunbathe by the pool for a while then at about eleven I’d go to the most gorgeous beach I will ever see - golden, soft, sand and the crystal- transparent waters - which the Caribbean have came to be noted for. Then at twelve o’ clock I would return and get into my dress and do my hair and gracefully place a tiara on my head. I had never been so excited or nervous at the same time- ever! Rab and Julia had also brought along about ten more friends to witness this special event. So obviously I had reason to be nervous! I would walk along the white carpet which led to the hotel’s private garden and with anticipation wait beside the arch for the ceremony to commence.
After I walked gracefully down the aisle I began to get butterflies in my stomach, all I could see was everyone’s eyes upon me. Anyways, after I was standing by the arch Julia was led down the Aisle by her father — John. She looked a vision, her hair was curly and part of it was in a pony tail with a tiara on her head. She wore a long, cream strapless dress with diamonds encrusted on it. Meanwhile, Rab stood inside the alter wearing a kilt. The minister conducted the ceremony, I could feel my eyes starting to water. And within ten minutes the ceremony was completed and I could feel my make-up starting to smudge. During the ceremony I bubbled and cried like never before, I was filled with so much joy and happiness and deeply relieved they finally tied the knot — it took them long enough!
Then out of the blue the groom, Rab, grabs a bottle of Champagne shakes it and “pop!” the cork flies off in the opposite direction and the champagne bubbles up. The next thing I know I am drenched in the stuff! My dress had stains of where I was soaked which you could imagine didn’t make me exactly happy. Soon after Rab walks up to me and asks, “Did you cry at my wedding?” and I reply with tears in my eyes” No! It’s just really hot out here.” —But I admit it, I lied.
After the photos had been taken and the marriage certificates signed we all took a glass of champagne, made our way indoors and into the private dining room, and was allocated to our seats. First we had our meals and then the wedding cake, then the toasts and then... Rab starts to make a speech — about me. “This day is not just about Julia and I. Today is the thirteenth birthday of miss Amy Louise.” I felt quite awkward because everyone was staring at me, and although they were smiling and congratulating me I did feel a bit embarrassed. Then surprisingly my birthday cake came. It was a white rectangle, with “happy birthday Amy-Louise” written on the top in a lovely pink icing. It was so beautiful my mum even took a photo of it.
Later after the cakes cut, the toasts were made the new Mr and Mrs Meirose had their photos taken on the boardwalk beside the hotels’ private lagoon.
After, all the adults - except my parents - went to the casino down the road. And so I went back to my room got showered and changed and went with my parents downstairs to the hotel lobby where we met with everyone and went for dinner, followed by drinks and sleep. As you can imagine this was a very tiring day that made me feel with deep emotions, like happiness, embarrassment, and excitement. A once in a lifetime thing, I will never ever turn 13 in the Bahamas, and be a bridesmaid all in the same day. I could never forget a day like this.
