Where do I begin…
In three… two…
“Skyler!”
…one.
The voice is sharp, almost hysterical. Holy Mother of the Bride!
“Come here and give me a hug! Let me look at you! Oh honey, I’m so happy you’re here. You’re stunning! Sorry, I know I’m a lot right now, but I’m just so happy!”
And there I am. Dress? Perfect. Hair? Impeccable. Lips? Dangerous. Shoes? Gorgeous and completely unwearable.
The only single woman within a three-mile radius? Obviously.
Weddings are a big part of my life. Most of the time it’s a win-win situation. There’s the occasional Pinterest-obsessed bridezilla, sure, but mostly there’s joy, and it pays the bills.
I genuinely love weddings.
I love the brides, even the hysterical ones. The grooms pretending to hold it together while internally doing backflips. The mothers who cry from the very first note. The fathers who are absolutely fine, totally fine, right up until they take their daughter’s hand.
I love the moments nobody else catches. The glances. The trembling fingers. The way someone lets out a breath right before saying I do. I catch them. I freeze them. I give them back as proof that love exists.
I love all of it. Especially when I get to be a guest instead of the photographer. And especially this one – because my two best friends are finally, finally getting married.
It would be perfect, if half the room wasn’t on a mission to set me up with someone’s cousin. But here we are.
“Hi, Linda. Congratulations. You look radiant! I’m really happy to see you.”
“It’s been forever! How are you, sweetheart? Are you here alone? Because–”
And we’re off.
“–you have to meet Roger – he’s my cousin’s son. He’s an accountant, and his mother worries he never has time to date, which is such a shame, because he’s lovely and responsible, just perfect husband material– ”
We went from zero to husband in under ten seconds. Naturally, now that the kids are getting married…
“...and I said - Melissa, I have just the girl. Wait till you see– ”
“Mama! Are you trying to set Skyler up again? Is it Tad this time?”
And there she is.
My best friend. The bride. Radiant and annoyingly, unfairly flawless – Laura.
“Oh come on, Laurie, set up is such a strong word. I just thought she and Roger should meet. Although, now that you mention Tad– ”
“Mama. I need Skyler in the back, urgently. And Dad’s looking for you, go find him”
Laura blows a kiss past her mother’s cheek and winks at me as Linda rushes off to find her husband and save the world.
“Well hello, stranger.” Laura grabs my hands. “You look insane. That dress should be illegal. Are you having fun? Are you ready to par-taaaay?”
“I see someone’s had a head start on the open bar.” I laugh and pull her into a hug. “Laura. You’re breathtaking. I genuinely can’t stop looking at you.”
“Oh stop it. They haven’t even finished my hair yet. But yes – obviously – I am the most beautiful bride in existence. At least in this building. And you are the most stunning maid of honor to ever do it.”
“Cheers to humility.”
I love her.
“Look, Sky, I wanted to talk before everything kicks off, but Sean says we’re adults and it won’t be weird, right… have you seen him yet?”
“Seen who – Sean? I haven’t– ”
“Skyler. You know whо I mean. Did you see Connor yet?”
Ah.
I’d already heard the bridesmaids going on about how the best man was criminally hot, so I knew he arrived.
“No,” I say instead. “Not yet. I’ll see him at the ceremony anyway – it’s not like I can disappear.”
Her eyes soften.
“Honey, I don’t want this to be weird for you.”
“It’s not, I promise. It’s been five years, Laura. It’s all good. We’re… friends, I guess, even though we don’t talk and we don’t see each other. He’s Sean’s best friend – of course he’d be the best man. It’s not exactly shocking to see him today. Don’t sweat it.”
Alright. I guess you deserve context.
