Short Stories

My Ex's Wedding

*inspired by a BuzzFeed quiz test question my friend Kyara shared*

Dear Daughter, 

I wonder what you'll think of me, as I have entitled this journal entry My Ex's Wedding. I am a twenty-five-year-old single woman typing this into my phone because I think it's crazy how I'm standing gracefully and excitedly behind the decorated wall on this garden lawn, waiting for the wedding to start. And what's even crazier is that I'm not a guest on one side of the wall, waiting for the procession, but I am a bridesmaid on the other side of the wall, waiting for my turn to walk down the aisle.

I'm assuming you may be more like me, careful with guarding your heart and wanting to be wise and discerning with who you give pieces of your heart. With that, you might be wondering how I got into this situation, being at my ex's wedding?

As we wait for the wedding to begin, let me tell you the story... 

I grew up in a good-sized town, where you would bump into people you know every day, but not so much that you knew everyone in town because more people moved in or left as the years went on. My family lived on a good piece of land a little farther away from town, and the only other house and family that lived near us was David's. 

David and I are the oldest siblings, so we quickly bonded over being in charge of caring for the gardens and small farm animals our families had. We also went to the same church and led worship together for the children and youth services since there were only a few people our age. I guess you could say we almost had 'no choice'  with dating options. Since the church was smaller in size compared to those in the city, most of the adults noticed this, too, and started trying to pair David and me together. We didn't notice it as children, but in our teenage years,  we started observing the way people spoke to us or treated us when we were together. And honestly, we didn't mind. We still planted, watered, and harvested in our families' gardens, walked the dogs and fed the goats, did homeschool lessons together, played with our younger siblings, and more. We enjoyed each other's company and it was nice having someone who understood us better than everyone else. 

So, one summer evening, seventeen-year-old David and I were in our backyard, as there was no fence to separate our families' lands, ready to take the dogs on our Friday walk. I smiled and waved at this young man who was already smiling at me. He held up his arm to reveal a picnic basket and blanket. I stopped in my tracks, unsure about what was happening. He approached me and said, "I know that this isn't the plan, and I gave you no notice, but I think it would be a nice change if we just let the dogs run and play out here while we have a picnic," or something like that. He prepared the picnic for us, and we sat down while the dogs roamed freely in the yard. We talked and laughed in ways we hadn't before. It was a nice change of pace and really sweet. One picnic turned into more as David and I started finding ways to slow down and hang out while doing chores and responsibilities. Eventually, they turned into dates. 

All the adults waiting for this were overjoyed when they found out we were dating. I guess being childhood friends made it feel easier to slip into this. So, for three years, we went on dates, growing closer to one another but also growing through life together. We navigated watching our siblings grow through different life stages, our parents' various arguments and choices, some drama in the church community, and just life choices and dreams in general. 

One day, as a typical movie goes, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in counseling. I wanted to bring counseling to our town and be the first woman to do so. But it required me to leave, and David and I agreed that a long-distance relationship during that time wasn't going to be healthy for us. We didn't want to stress each other out or put ideal expectations on each other, and we didn't want to allow pressure from others to dictate our choices. So, we said goodbye as friends, and I pursued my degree in the city. 

I ended up practicing in the city for a few years. I didn't date anyone in the city, enjoying the career God led me to. I still prayed for David, as I did for everyone else at home. Eventually, I felt ready to move back, and God confirmed it over and over again. I moved back and opened up a private practice. While it took a few weeks to get the space ready and the news out, guess who was the first person to stop by with a welcome home gift when I got home? Yes, it was David, but also Suree. While David is a thoughtful gift giver, she either matched his level or outdid him. Her name means 'sun,' and she indeed shines so brightly in her smile and her lifestyle. They were both welcomed in my parents' home, and I was surprised but happy to see them on the first day I got back. I guess you can say we all just instantly became good friends. 

Opening a private practice in a small town sounds fun and exciting, like a real trailblazer of history. But as with any new change, it was challenging and stressful. I don't know how I would have gotten through the first two years of starting this practice without David and Suree. They were not my clients, but they were part of my support group. David knew me for the majority of my life, and Suree knew me for who I was when I moved back and how I met her. Both gave me a good balance as I navigated life and career in my hometown. And don't worry, I give them space and make sure they know I respect them as a couple and want them to prioritize each other over me. Because the healthier they are individually and as a couple, the better friends they are to me and those around them.  

So they were together for three years before I got the invitation in my mailbox. David and Suree, their names together, meaning a 'beloved sun.'  Their relationship is so genuine, beautiful, and bright, shining His light. I am honored to have witnessed their growth and to be a part of their story God is still writing. 

And so that's the miracle I'm standing in, being at peace, happy, and excited for my friends here, at my ex's wedding.