The Best One

Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul : Stories of Love, Laughter and Commitment to Last a Lifetime
by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Gina Romanello

Your wedding is one of the most beautiful and memorable times of your life. Proposals, rings, cakes, and dresses will be cherished for a lifetime. Seemingly trivial moments-like making party favors and arranging table decorations-become powerful and profound events. Even your mistakes are remembered with a smile.

From special heartfelt moments to humorous mishaps, this enlightening and inspiring book puts the big day in perspective with stories that touch the soul of the bridal experience:

• A man gives his girlfriend gifts he collected during a lifetime of travels, telling her they were intended for his future wife.
  
  
• A mother surprises her unconventional daughter with a simple wedding dress that changes their relationship forever.
  
  
• A town rallies around a couple after their house burns down less than a week before their wedding.
  
  
• Rain on the wedding day becomes a sign of the bride's deceased grandmother's love.
  
  
• A man surprises his wife with a box of chocolates on their anniversary, showing with this simple gesture the depth of the love he pledged so many years before.

Romantic, humorous, touching, and true, Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul will help you look ahead to your wedding day with joy instead of stress, and remind you of the treasured memories created during this special time. But more than that, these stories bring to light the true meaning of love and commitment, whether you're newly engaged, recently married, or reflecting on years of married bliss.

The special hardcover gift edition features: Gold foil embossed, padded hardcover, a larger 6" x 9" format, journaling pages after every chapter, satin ribbon placeholder and illustrated chapter openers.

Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!
Lydia M. Child

When I was a little girl, my father had a time-honored tradition of tucking me into bed. Following my bedtime story, he would give me a nose kiss, tickle my stomach and whisper the most wonderful words into my ear. “Michelle, of all the little girls in the whole wide world . . .” he would pause.

“Yes, Daddy?”

“How did your mommy and I get so lucky to get the best one?”

Before he had time to finish, I would say, “You got me!” And then he would continue, “The best little girl in the whole wide world, and we got you.”

“You got me!” I would scream and clap.

“Yes, you, Michelle, and we're so lucky.” He would end with a bear hug and another kiss to my forehead.

Years passed and my father never missed a night, even when I thought he should have. After my basketball team was defeated, he came into my room.

“Michelle, of all the basketball players in the whole wide world,” he paused.

“Yes, Daddy?” I stared at the floor.

“How did your mom and I get so lucky to get the best one?”

“You didn't.”

“Of course we did, Michelle. We have you.”

“But, Dad . . .”

“Yes, you, Michelle, and we're so lucky,” he cheered, as he gave me a high five followed by a bear hug and a kiss to my forehead. I thought becoming a teenager would end the ritual, but it didn't.

“Michelle, of all the teenagers in the whole wide world . . .” he would pause.

“Dad, I'm too old for this,” I would sigh.

“How did your mother and I get so lucky to get the best one?”

“C'mon, Dad,” I grunted.

“We have you, Michelle, and we're so lucky.” Then the embarrassing hug and kiss.

Following college, I became engaged. My father never missed a night to call or leave a message reminding me how special I was to him. I even wondered if he would continue calling after I got married, but he didn't. The daily calls I had taken for granted all my life ended the day he died from cancer, only weeks before my wedding.

I deeply missed sharing the day with my father.

Standing behind the white church doors with my arm in my brother's, I waited for the wedding march to begin. Before we began our descent down the aisle, my brother reached inside his pocket and handed me an ivory napkin embroidered with pink ribbon.

Inscribed were the words:

Of all the precious wives in the whole wide world, how did Mark get so lucky to marry the best one? He married you, Michelle, and he is so lucky! I am so proud of you, my little girl. Love,
Dad

Without a doubt, it was the best wedding gift I received. One I would never forget. My father showered me with his gifts every day of his life. How did I get so lucky?

Michelle Marullo

© 2003 Health Communications, Inc.

About the Author

Jack Canfield is a best-selling author and one of America’s leading experts in the development of human potential. He is both a dynamic and entertaining speaker and a highly sought-after trainer with a wonderful ability to inform and inspire audiences to pen their hearts, love more openly and pursue their dreams.

Mark Victor Hansen is a professional speakers who, in the last twenty years, had made over four-thousand presentations to more than 2 million people in 32 countries. His message has made him a popular television and radio personality, with appearances on ABC, CBS, HBO, PBS, and CNN. He has also appeared on the cover of numerous magazines, including Success, Entrepreneur and Changes.

Gina Romanello, a graduate of Arizona State University with a B.A. in journalism, was thrilled when given the opportunity to join the Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul team. Her temporary position turned into six years of employment in their book-production department. In her position as executive administrator to Patty Hansen and Irene Dunlap, she has played an integral part in the compiling and marketing of Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul, Christmas Treasury for Kids, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul II and True, a faith-based nonfiction book for teens authored by Irene Dunlap.