Kayla Doody, 29, from Florida, explains why snubbing her groom and telling him “I’m making her maid of honor instead” was the best decision she ever made.
Walking down the aisle, I felt like a princess.
With my father by my side and my wedding dress floating around me, I would never be happier.
Then, I saw my future wife waiting for me and my smile got even bigger. Erika, 36, may have been my second engagement in six months, but there was no doubt in my mind that she was the love of my life.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was bullied at school for my looks and my quiet, quirky personality. sun reports.
I never felt like I fit in. While I dated boys and even kissed a few girls to try to get attention from boys, nothing serious.
My self-esteem was so low, I didn’t think I was good enough for anyone to love me.
I met Harry* in September 2013, at the age of 18, when I started university in Houston.
Like me, he was shy and quiet. For years, we were friends, we hung out with the same group, but over time we got closer and in 2018 we became a couple.
I felt calm and comfortable, but I knew in my heart that I wasn’t madly in love with Harry.
It felt more like companionship than what my friends had – they were so passionate about their partners. I didn’t feel jealous though, as I still had low self-esteem and was just grateful for what I had – a man who loved me, even if I didn’t feel the same way about him. .
Working as a personal trainer in December 2021, I befriended a client, Dan* and in November 2022 I met his wife Erika. Within months, Erika and I were best friends, texting every day and hanging out as a foursome with our partners.
In February 2023, I was out hiking with Harry when he proposed, getting down on one knee atop a rocky mountain and presenting me with a ring.
It was a surreal and confusing moment. I cared for Harry and I always wanted to be a bride, to have a special day where everyone could see that I had been chosen.
But at the same time, I felt trapped, like Harry was my only option. I was smiling as I said yes, but inside I felt trapped, like I was just making the best of things.
Erika was very happy for me and revealed that she had helped Harry plan the proposal. I asked her to be the maid of honor and she agreed.
At the end of August, Erika and I were driving to my family home for a party when she confessed to me that she had kissed a woman. She realized she was gay and wanted a divorce from Dan.
My head was spinning. I immediately became jealous of this other woman and suddenly realized that I had feelings for Erika.
I tried to push those feelings away. However, after that conversation, there was a spark that hadn’t been there before. We kept making flirtatious jokes and when we looked at each other we felt electric. I made excuses for not being intimate with Harry.
I realized I was in love – but not with my future husband.
At the end of September, I nervously went to Erika’s house. Dan was away from work for a few months, and I just knew something was going to happen.
As we sat on the couch watching a movie, Erika kissed me. It felt magical. I didn’t feel guilty about Harry or Dan, all I could think about was Erika.
We slept together for the first time a week later, and I knew she was the one – and that I couldn’t marry Harry in three weeks.
My heart was pounding. When I confessed that I was in love with Erica and we wanted to be together, Harry was stunned and angry, but also seemed deflated, as if he knew there was no point in trying to save our relationship.
I hated to hurt him, but walking away, my biggest emotion was relief.
We haven’t spoken since that last conversation. I sent a short message to the guests saying the wedding was canceled and thankfully no one asked any questions.
I told my mum in person that the wedding was off and she was so supportive – she told me to follow my heart and helped me cancel the venue and caterers.
My wedding date came and went, and I was relieved I hadn’t missed it. Now that I was experiencing true love with Erika, I knew I should never settle for companionship.
When Dan returned from his extended work trip in November, Erika told him we were together. He was devastated, but accepted the divorce.
In January, after the divorce was finalized, Erika blurted out the words: “Will you marry me?” during an escape room activity we were doing with friends. I was ecstatic and when I said yes, I meant it with all my heart.
We got married in April in an intimate flower-filled wedding venue in front of 60 of our family and friends. As we exchanged vows, I knew I was marrying my soul mate. I didn’t regret it, we were meant to be.
We now live in Florida and are very happy and plan to do IVF and start a family. I have started writing a memoir about my journey.
I want people to know that you deserve to be your true self and experience unconditional love. The journey there can be difficult, but it is absolutely worth it.
Erika says: “I met Dan at university, 22 years old. Kind and handsome, he proposed in April 2011, we got married in December 2012 and we were happily together for years. But in 2021, when I first met Kayla, we were already drifting apart.
Kayla was bubbly and friendly and, at first, I just wanted to be friends. But by the time Harry asked for my help with his proposal in January 2023, I had developed a serious crush on him.
My jealousy grew as I helped plan her wedding. When Kayla tried on her dress, she looked so beautiful that I had to check my face, worried that she would see how I really felt.
Then, that August, I got very drunk and kissed a woman. I felt like I was meeting myself for the first time.
I knew I was gay and my marriage had to end. I was very nervous about telling Kayla, but after that, the spark between us was undeniable.
After she told Harry and called off their wedding, and I told Dan, I felt like I could breathe again. I never wanted to hurt Dan, but I couldn’t live a lie. Two months later, we divorced.
I have received some negative comments about how our relationship started, but I try not to worry about what other people think, because being true to myself has made me the happiest wife and wife in the world. € €
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Image Source : nypost.com