Heartbreak from my father’s broken promises loomed over my wedding day. Just as despair set in, an unexpected hero stepped forward, turning a moment of disappointment into one of profound love and revelation. This is how I discovered the true meaning of family.
My parents split when I was seven. From then on, my dad was basically a ghost. He’d promise stuff like park trips, but then bail last minute. Birthdays? Missed. My mom did her best, but his absence left a hole that seemed impossible to fill.
Fast forward, and Dad’s appearances became even more random. He’d pop up, full of apologies and promises to be a “better dad.” But then, poof! Gone again. Important events? Missed. Yet, I still held onto hope. Then, BAM! Enter Dylan.
Dylan and I quickly became close, and one night by the lake, he proposed. As I started planning the wedding, my father reappeared, insisting on paying for part of the ceremony. He asked for the father-daughter dance, and against my better judgment, I agreed.