My children sat in the front row, smiling as they saw me in the white dress. At that point, I felt whole.
But as I stood at the altar, hand in hand with Thomas, the moment was interrupted.
Just as the priest asked, “If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace,” a voice broke the silence.
“I OBJECT.”
I turned to see who it was, and that’s when my gaze landed on David, Richard’s elder brother.
His face had this fierce look of disapproval.
“I object!” he repeated, stepping forward with a pointed glare.
Murmurs rippled through the room as David walked toward the altar. Meanwhile, my heart pounded against my chest because I had no idea what was happening.
Why would David object to my wedding? What was going on?
He didn’t leave much room for guessing.
“Look at you, Ellie!” he shouted, his voice filled with disdain.
“Dressed in white, standing here as if Richard never existed. While Richard—my brother—lies in the cold ground, you’re here celebrating like none of it ever mattered. How dare you?”
His words made me so embarrassed that I could feel the heat in my cheeks.
I also felt the sting of tears in my eyes, but I didn’t let them fall.
Instead, I took a deep breath, preparing myself to answer his question.
“Do you think I’ve forgotten, David?” I asked, looking straight into his eyes. “Do you think a single day has passed where I haven’t thought about Richard?”
I looked at Thomas, who gave me a calm nod, signaling me to go ahead. Then, I turned back to David.
“Richard wasn’t just my husband.
He was my best friend, the father of my children, and the love of my life. But he’s gone, and I am still here. Am I not allowed to live?”
David scoffed, but before he could reply, my daughter Sophia stood up.
“Enough, Uncle David!” she said.
“Before you accuse Mom of sinning because she wanted to live her life, I want you to see something. Not just you… I want you all to see this.”
Then, she walked to the front of the church with a small projector in her hands. That’s when I understood what she was doing.
She was about to show a video of Richard.
It was supposed to be a surprise for the reception, something my children and I had planned to honor Richard’s memory. But now, it was time.
The room grew silent as the projector flickered to life. Moments later, Richard’s voice filled the air, warm and steady, just as I remembered.
“Ellie, if you’re watching this, it means I’m no longer here,” his voice said.
“But I need you to promise me one thing. Don’t let grief hold you back. Love again, laugh again, and dance in that silly way you do.
If someone else brings you happiness, hold onto them with all your strength.”
Richard had made this video for me during his last days. He’d made more videos for our kids too, and they wanted to play all of them at the reception. They believed playing the videos would make us all feel Richard was there with us, supporting us.
But my dearest Sophia decided to play this one to stand up for me.
The guests were quiet, and I could even see some of my friends crying.
But David? He wasn’t done yet.
He turned to Thomas with a stern expression on his face.
“And you,” David spat. “You think I don’t see through you?
Marrying a woman in her 60s so you can rob her children of their inheritance? What kind of man are you?”
Thomas stood tall, his voice calm but commanding. “David, I don’t need Ellie’s money.
We’ve signed a marriage agreement. In the event of her death, I inherit nothing. I’m here because I love her, not because of what she has.”
David opened his mouth to speak again, but Thomas raised his voice.
“Enough!” he said.
“Just mind your own business and let other people be happy. There’s nothing more left to say.”
David wanted to argue, but he was escorted out of the church with the help of my sons.
The ceremony continued after he left, and as Thomas and I exchanged vows, the warmth and love in the room were undeniable.
And that is how I remarried at 60 and started a new chapter of my life.
