At the Chapel

My mother and father always had a happy marriage. They would rarely fight, and when they did it wasn't for very long. For me growing up I thought I would fall in love and find the man that would treat me like how my father treats my mother. Eventually I found my first love. We were high school sweethearts, I knew we would eventually get married. I had everything planned. I got what I wished for a month after I graduated from college. It was perfect, everything I thought it would be. We were out on a date drinking smoothies when he stopped me in the middle of a mall. He pulled out the ring and I cried out with a huge smile on my face, yes! The day we were supposed to tie the knot, everything went smoothly. "Are you ready for this baby?" My mother put her hand on my cheek smiling. I could only give a slight nod, because I was so nervous. In the next room I could hear people settling down, my father waiting to take my arm by the doors. "I'll meet you there" my mother says walking to take her seat with the others. My father has tears in his eyes as he struggles to lift a smile. "I can't believe you've grown so big." He pauses. "You're not my baby girl anymore.." he pulls me into a hug. "Dad I'll always be your little girl." I hug him back before he takes my arm and we start to the altar. I see my fiancé standing there with a troubled smile on his face trying to ignore eye contact. As my father let's go of my arm to join my mother. I stand in front of him and I smile ignoring an uneasy gut feeling. A few moments go by and the priest finally asks,

"Do you Tiff take Mark to be your Lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"Do you Mark take Tiff to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I.. I..." he looks at me then at the crowd of family and friends. "I don't.. I'm sorry Tiff." Speechless I look at him tears beginning to fill my eyes. "I'm so sorry.." he begins to walk away and I grab his arm.

"Wait! Why are you doing this?! Were you not happy.. did I do something to upset you? I.. I can-"

"Stop. Let me go, you-"

"NO!" I yell sobbing, "Tell me how many years you've been with me!! How many years you've lied to my face.. why? Why did you even get on your knee?! How could you.."

"Don't do this here Tiff. Not in front of our family..."

"I think this is the perfect time! I can't-" my father runs up and pulls me in his arms.

"Let him go.. just let him go." He pushes my face to look at his. He looks as if he could lose his cool any moment. I let go of Marks arm, letting my hand drop. I squeeze my fathers chest crying. He left me at the altar that day, it took me a year to finally move on.