Member-only story
For Jennie, on Your Wedding Day
Today you will stand under a brilliant blue sky, in perfect weather
beneath trees with boughs burdened by apples waiting for harvest
in the field where he proposed nearly two years ago
Your white gown I’ve longed to finally see will shimmer in the light
But I won’t be by your side
Today I want to want you to feel peace,
as you say your vows to the first man worthy of your heart
I want to see you glow from within, to see the brilliant smile
that never quite met your eyes until you found him
But I won’t be by your side
Today I want to hug you, to wish you the happiness I
always believed you deserved and have finally found
I want to share the farm-to-table feast and give the champagne
toast I’ve spent four years writing
But I won’t be by your side
Tonight, as you dance below the velvet, inky sky
Held by love beneath the stars
I want to wish you are free of the heartache that has
haunted me since your final words
But if you are, then our friendship meant nothing
Because I won’t be by your side
Author’s note: I wrote this about a real friendship breakup, on the day of my former friend’s wedding. Her name is not Jennie, and the wedding described is not at all like the wedding she did have. I like my version better. I recently published the speech I would’ve given, too.
