I ache for her lack of veil though, and instead of reaching for her waist or neck to kiss her, I lift my hands to the empty air below her chest. I carefully pinch the air with my fingers and then raise the invisible veil up and over her head and settle it at her back, taking as much time as I would to lift a real veil and then make sure it was smooth and hanging straight behind her. A single tear slips down her cheek, and I brush it away with gentle fingers before I lower my mouth to hers and finally kiss my wife.
