My parents skipped my wedding because my sister’s dog was sick! Sounds ridiculous? It’s been this way for years: I have a basketball game — oops, sorry, sister doesn’t feel like going out. I’m graduating – oops, sorry, sister had a bad day at work. But this time, they TOTALLY went over the line!
I was devastated and had no idea that my best man took my phone and asked my fiancée if he could post a video of our wedding on social media.\
Our honeymoon was at a lakeside cabin with no cell service. We came home to hundreds of messages and an IMMEDIATE incoming call from my mom.
Mom: “TAKE DOWN THIS VIDEO, NOW!!!”
I opened my social media and saw a video where my best man, Dave, had documented the entire wedding ceremony. He included a heartfelt message about how my parents had chosen not to attend. He mentioned how they had missed many of my important life events and even made sure to highlight the reason they skipped my wedding: my sister’s dog being sick.
In the video, Dave spoke directly to the camera. “Hey everyone, this is a special day for my best friend, Mark, and his beautiful bride, Emily. It’s sad that his parents aren’t here because, believe it or not, they chose to stay home because Mark’s sister’s dog wasn’t feeling well. Mark’s been let down by them so many times, and today was the final straw.”
The video showed our vows, the first dance, and snippets of the reception, capturing the joy and love that filled the air despite my parents’ absence. The comments were filled with supportive messages from friends, distant relatives, and even strangers, expressing their disbelief and outrage at my parents’ actions.
Emily came up behind me, putting her hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t know Dave was going to post it, but maybe it’s for the best. People need to see what you’ve been dealing with.”
My phone rang again. This time, I picked it up.
“Mom,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Mark, how could you let this happen?” she yelled. “Everyone is seeing this! It’s humiliating!”
“Mom, you chose not to come to my wedding,” I said, feeling a mix of anger and sadness. “You missed one of the most important days of my life because of a dog. Do you realize how that makes me feel?”
There was a moment of silence on the other end before she spoke again, this time more subdued. “Your sister needed us. The dog is like family.”
“And what about me?” I retorted. “Am I not family? Have I ever been a priority for you?”
The silence stretched longer this time, and I felt a tear roll down my cheek. “Mark,” she finally said, “I’m sorry. We… we should have been there.”
“It’s too late for apologies now,” I replied, my voice breaking. “You missed my wedding. You can’t take that back.”
I hung up the phone, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Emily hugged me tightly. “I’m sorry you had to go through this,” she whispered.
“I guess it’s time to move on,” I said, wiping my tears. “With you by my side, I can face anything.”
In the following days, the video continued to gain attention, and the support from friends and strangers alike helped me come to terms with my parents’ absence. It was clear that I had a new family now—one that included not just Emily, but also the friends who had always been there for me.
As for my parents, they eventually reached out again, trying to mend the broken relationship. It would take time, but I was determined to focus on the future and the family I was building with Emily, rather than dwelling on the past disappointments.
