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smiled at the young couple before him. “I ask thee, therefore, Peder Leif Ramstad, in the presence of God and this Christian assembly: Wilt thou have Elsa Anna Anders, here present, to be thy wedded wife?”
    “I will,” Peder said, staring into Elsa’s eyes.
    “Wilt thou live with her according to God’s holy word, love and honor her, and alike in good and evil days keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
    “I will,” he repeated, his eyes never wavering.
    Pastor Lien turned to Elsa. “In like manner I ask thee, Elsa Anna Anders: Wilt thou have Peder Leif Ramstad, here present, to be thy wedded husband?”
    “I will,” she said, her voice surprisingly strong and sure. Shewanted Peder to feel all the assurance she had in her heart that this was right, that she wanted nothing else.
    “Wilt thou live with him according to God’s holy word, love and honor him, and alike in good and evil days keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?”
    “I will,” she stated, hoping her eyes conveyed to Peder all the love she felt.
    “Forasmuch as you have consented together in holy wedlock, and have now witnessed the same before God and this Christian assembly, and have joined your right hands in token thereof, I pronounce you man and wife. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”
    The pastor turned to Peder. “The rings?” he whispered. Peder fished for them in his pocket, then pulled out the two simple bands.
    “Repeat after me,” he directed Peder, handing him Elsa’s ring. “Receive this ring …”
    “Receive this ring,” Peder said, his eyes glistening with joy as he stared down at her.
    “As a pledge and a token of my love and faithfulness.”
    “As a pledge,” he said slowly, as if thinking over each word, “and a token of my love and faithfulness.”
    As if in a dream, Elsa, as Peder had before her, repeated Pastor Lien’s words and slipped the ring on his hand. They then remained side by side, kneeling before their pastor, as he went on to preach about Adam and Eve, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, and loving as Christ had loved. Elsa only heard snippets of his homily, thinking more on her elation at being Peder’s bride, having his hand in hers, and their future in America. Pastor Lien’s hand on her head brought her back to the present.
    “Let us pray,” he said. “Lord God, heavenly Father, thou who didst create man and woman and didst join them together in marriage, thereby signifying the mystery of the union between thy dearSon Jesus Christ and his bride the Church: We beseech thee in thine infinite mercy, let not this thy blessed work and ordinance be brought to naught among us, but graciously protect it. Through Jesus Christ, thy beloved Son, our Lord. Amen.”
    “Amen!” Peder repeated with gusto, making Elsa want to giggle.
    “Peace be with you,” Pastor Lien said, smiling at both of them.
    “And with you,” Peder said with a nod.
    “The Lord be with you!” the pastor said to his congregation.
    “And with thy Spirit!” they said as one.
    “The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen.”
    Pastor Lien gestured to Peder to help Elsa rise, then placed a hand on each of their shoulders as they turned to the congregation. Spontaneously, the people began to applaud and cheer.
    “I would like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Peder Ramstad!” Pastor Lien shouted happily over the mayhem.
    The traditional wedding luncheon was another picnic, held on the hillside near the rock where Elsa and her father had enjoyed so many times together, watching the great aurora borealis. High above the city, the group reveled in the perfect summer weather, under clear blue skies that met purple granite mountains, and surrounded by the full bloom of wildflowers.