I thought wedding planning would bring us closer, but I never imagined it would lead to a showdown in a bridal shop. Who knew my biggest rival wouldn’t be just another bride but my future mother-in-law? And the reason behind it all?
Let’s say it left me speechless.
Bryan proposed to me after just six months of dating. To some, it might seem rushed, but at 36, I had spent years waiting for someone who truly felt like my person. Bryan was the one I had always dreamed of.
So when he knelt, holding that small velvet box, tears of happiness blurred my vision, and I didn’t hesitate to say yes.
***
We flew to the small town where Bryan’s mother, Alice, lived, the kind of place where time seemed to move a little slower. I kept imagining our first meeting.
Will she approve of Bryan’s choice? Or will she find me lacking somehow?
As we pulled up to her cozy, charming white house with flower pots lining the porch, my nerves spiked.
But when Alice stepped onto the porch, her smile was warm, genuine, and welcoming. She embraced Bryan tightly and then turned to me.
“Maya, it’s wonderful to finally meet you!” she said, offering her hand.
“It’s great to meet you too, Alice.”
Inside, the house smelled like roasted turkey and apple pie. Dinner was already set, the table adorned with candles and fall decorations.
It felt so inviting that my nerves started to ease.
As we sat down, Alice asked about my life in New York, how Bryan and I met, and even about my favorite Thanksgiving traditions.
“New York must be such an exciting place to live,” she said, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. “I’ve always wondered what it’s like to wake up in a city that never sleeps.”
“It’s lively,” I said with a small laugh. “But sometimes, the quiet of a small town like this feels just as magical.”
Everything seemed perfect until Bryan and I shared our big news.
“We have something special to tell you,” Bryan said, his voice brimming with excitement.
He reached for my hand, and I felt his warmth steady me. “We’re engaged!”
Alice’s smile froze for a fraction of a second. She quickly recovered, offering a polite “Congratulations,” and leaned in to kiss Bryan.
What was that?
Disappointment? Uncertainty?
Before I could dwell on it, her partner, Richard, stood up, tapping his glass with a spoon.
“Well, since we’re sharing news,” he began, grinning from ear to ear, “Alice and I have an announcement too. We’re engaged!”
Bryan clapped enthusiastically, and I joined in.
Two engagements in one evening?
This is unexpected.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. As the conversations unfolded, it became clear that Alice and I had chosen the same date for our weddings.
My dream venue in New York was already booked, but Alice admitted she’d always imagined her wedding there, too. She hadn’t been able to secure the booking in time.
“I guess I’ll have to figure something else out,” she said wistfully.
Bryan, ever the peacemaker, leaned over and whispered, “Maybe we can work something out?”
He suggested that I give up the venue and move our wedding date.
The request stung, but I couldn’t bear the thought of creating a rift between us or with his mother.
“If it means that much to her, I’ll do it.”
Alice’s reaction was immediate and heartfelt. “Thank you, Maya. I don’t know how to thank you for this.” She smiled warmly, the tension from earlier melting away.
“Let’s go dress shopping together on Black Friday. My treat.”
It felt like a strange olive branch, but I nodded.
“Sure,” I said, unsure of what to expect.
After all, how bad can shopping with my future mother-in-law really be?
***
On Black Friday, my alarm buzzed before the sun even rose. I groaned but rolled out of bed, reminding myself this was for my wedding dress.
A little sacrifice was worth it.
I threw on layers to combat the cold and headed out, clutching my thermos of coffee like a lifeline.
When I arrived at the store, the line was already forming. The air was biting, and I shuffled from foot to foot, trying to stay warm. Each time someone joined the line behind me, I glanced at my phone.
Alice was running late.
Where is she?
Finally, 20 minutes before the store opened, Alice showed up. A gaggle of her friends, all laughing and clutching coffee cups, trailed behind her.
They looked far too cheerful for such an ungodly hour and judging by their rosy cheeks and bubbly chatter, I suspected a little champagne had been involved.
“Maya, you’re a lifesaver!” Alice said, patting my arm like I’d been holding the line just for them.
Without so much as a thank you, her friends breezed past me into the prime spot I’d frozen myself for. My red nose and stiff fingers were invisible.
“Sure,” I muttered under my breath.
When the doors opened, chaos erupted.
Women swarmed the racks like bees to honey, and Alice’s friends were no exception.
“Oh, Maya, this one’s perfect for you!” one of them chirped, holding up a dress with more ruffles than a flamenco costume. Another waved a gown that sparkled so much it could double as a disco ball.
“Thanks, I’ll…think about it,” I said. I darted between the racks, trying to escape their well-meaning but overwhelming advice.
Finally, I spotted a few dresses that looked promising.
Clutching them like a prize, I headed to the fitting rooms.
The little cubicle felt like a sanctuary after the madness outside. I pulled on a dress and turned, examining myself in the mirror. It was almost perfect, but something was missing.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
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