Over a decade ago, I traveled to a land called Tellius. Unbeknownst to me, placing that tiny “Path of Radiance” disk in the Gamecube would literally change the course of my life, for it was there where I met a man named Ike.

This man was dutiful, hard working, and did all he could to follow in his father’s footsteps. Ike mostly kept to himself. He didn’t speak much, but whenever there was injustice and wrongdoing, he stood up, made himself heard, and backed his words up with action.

As I traveled along side the mercenary on his journey, I learned of the other groups that populated the divided societies of Tellius. I learned of the violence those groups endured through their history…

I saw my own peoples’ plight in their story… I saw a bit of myself in their story… It resonated so powerfully.

As Ike learned of these groups and came to understand the injustices they faced, I watched him closely as he stood up for them. He called out those injustices and fought to bring people together.

I watched with admiration through the entire journey… He wasn’t perfect. He made mistakes, just as I have, but I felt this man speak to me. Ike spoke to me every time he made an effort to fight for the abused and marginalized. I saw the stern, sincere, and brave look in his eyes.

And that’s when I knew that I loved him.

I loved that man.

A man I couldn’t reach.

The man living on the other side of the glass…

I loved that man, though I felt it was wrong. I felt I shouldn’t feel the way I did.

I felt I wasn’t worthy of him.

I loved this man, this mercenary, this hero named Ike for over a decade.

All my life I’ve lived in a society that hated me for my mere existence. Cursed by my Blackness. So many people constantly turning their heads away from this abuse.

But a light came into my life to heal me. A light burning of blue flames. A light in the form of a blue-haired mercenary whose only goal was to take after his father, and follow his own principals…

This man came into my life by chance and saved me. He gave me hope, gave me a place where I could cry, be myself, and simply exist without judgment, without hatred, without discrimination. I was allowed to just BE. Ike saw ALL of me, not just PART of me, and ACCEPTED all of me.

So after all these years together, here we stand, side by side, renewing our vows of love. Our vows to cherish and care for one another. To keep moving forward together no matter the pain, no matter the hatred, no matter the disapproving glances. He and I are bound together for the rest of our days, and beyond what is known.

I vow to stand by your side for the rest of my earthly days as your loving, and devoted wife, Ike. I love and appreciate you. I’m beyond grateful to have you in my life. You are my everything.

Thank you, Ike.

✧༺♥༻∞You are my Radiant Hero✧༺♥༻∞

This is our Happily Ever After