My groom-to-be wasn’t the one — so I left him for my maid of honor

Kayla Doody, 29, from Florida, explains why jilting her groom – and saying ‘I do’ to her maid of honor as an alternative – was the perfect choice she’s ever made.

Strolling down the aisle, I felt like a princess.

With my dad on my arm and my marriage ceremony gown floating round me, I’d by no means been happier.

Then, I noticed my future spouse ready for me and my smile grew even greater. Erika, 36, could have been my second engagement in six months, however there was little question in my thoughts she was my eternally love.

Rising up in Houston, Texas, I used to be bullied at college about my look and my quiet, quirky character, The Sun reviews.

I by no means felt like I fitted in. Whereas I dated boys, and even kissed just a few ladies to attempt to get consideration from boys, none of it was critical.

My vanity was so low, I didn’t assume I used to be adequate to be liked by anybody.

I met Harry* in September 2013, aged 18, after I began college in Houston.

Like me, he was shy and quiet. For years, we have been buddies, hanging round with the identical group, however over time we grew nearer, and in 2018 we grew to become a pair.

I felt settled and cozy, however I knew in my coronary heart I wasn’t head over heels in love with Harry.

It felt extra like companionship than what my buddies had – they have been so enthusiastic about their companions. I didn’t really feel jealous, although, as I nonetheless had low self-worth and I used to be simply grateful for what I had – a person who liked me, even when I didn’t really feel fairly the identical method about him.

Working as a private coach in December 2021, I grew to become buddies with a consumer, Dan*, and in November 2022 met his spouse Erika. Inside months, Erika and I have been finest buddies, messaging every day and hanging out as a foursome with our companions.

In February 2023, I used to be out mountaineering with Harry when he proposed to me, dropping to 1 knee on the prime of a rocky mountain and presenting me with a hoop.

It was a surreal and complicated second. I cared for Harry and I’d at all times needed to be a bride, to have a big day the place everybody might see that I had been chosen.

However, on the identical time, I felt caught, like Harry was my solely possibility. I used to be smiling as I mentioned “sure”, however inside I felt trapped, as if I used to be simply making the perfect of issues.

Erika was so completely happy for me, and revealed she’d helped Harry plan the proposal. I requested her to be my maid of honour and she or he agreed.

In late August, Erika and I have been driving to my household residence for a celebration, when she confessed to me that she’d kissed a lady. She’d realized she was homosexual and needed a divorce from Dan.

My head was spinning. I used to be instantly jealous of this different lady, and out of the blue realised I had emotions for Erika.

I attempted to push these emotions away. Nonetheless, after that dialog, there was a spark that hadn’t been there earlier than. We stored making flirty jokes, and after we checked out one another it felt electrical. I made excuses to not be intimate with Harry.

I spotted I used to be in love – however not with my husband-to-be.

On the finish of September, I nervously drove to Erika’s home. Dan was away with work for a number of months, and I simply knew one thing was about to occur.

As we sat on the couch watching a film, Erika kissed me. It felt magical. I didn’t really feel responsible about Harry or Dan, all I might take into consideration was Erika.

We slept collectively for the primary time every week later, and I knew she was The One – and that I couldn’t probably marry Harry in three weeks’ time.

My coronary heart was thumping. Once I confessed I used to be in love with Erika and we needed to be collectively, Harry was shocked and offended, but additionally appeared deflated, as if he knew there was no level making an attempt to salvage our relationship.

I hated hurting him, however strolling away, my greatest emotion was aid.

We haven’t spoken since that ultimate dialog. I despatched a brief textual content to company saying the marriage was cancelled, and fortunately, nobody requested any questions.

I instructed my mother in individual that the marriage was off, and she or he was so supportive – she instructed me to observe my coronary heart and helped me cancel the venue and suppliers.

The date for my marriage ceremony got here and went, and I felt relieved I hadn’t gone by way of with it. Now I used to be experiencing real love with Erika, I knew I ought to by no means have settled for companionship.

When Dan returned from his prolonged work journey in November, Erika instructed him that we have been collectively. He was devastated, however agreed to the divorce.

In January, together with her divorce full, Erika hid the phrases: “Will you marry me?” throughout an escape-room exercise we have been doing with buddies. I used to be ecstatic, and after I mentioned “sure”, I meant it with all my coronary heart.

We tied the knot in April at an intimate marriage ceremony venue crammed with flowers, in entrance of 60 of our household and buddies. Exchanging vows, I knew I used to be marrying my soulmate. I had no regrets, we have been meant to be.

We now stay in Florida and are blissfully completely happy and planning to have IVF and begin a household. I’ve begun writing a memoir about my journey.

I would like individuals to know that you simply need to be your true self and expertise unconditional love. The journey there may be laborious, nevertheless it’s completely value it.

Erika says: “I met Dan at college, aged 22. Form and good-looking, he proposed in April 2011, we acquired married in December 2012, and for years have been completely happy collectively. However by 2021, after I first met Kayla, we have been already drifting aside.

Kayla was bubbly and pleasant and, at first, I simply needed to be buddies. However by the point Harry requested for my assist together with his proposal in January 2023, I’d developed a critical crush on her.

My jealousy grew as I helped plan her marriage ceremony. When Kayla tried on her gown, she regarded so stunning I needed to management my face, nervous she would see how I actually felt.

Then, that August, I acquired very drunk and kissed a lady. It felt like I used to be assembly myself for the primary time.

I knew I used to be homosexual and my marriage needed to finish. I used to be so nervous telling Kayla, however after that, the spark between us was simple.

As soon as she instructed Harry and cancelled their marriage ceremony, and I instructed Dan, I felt like I might breathe once more. I by no means needed to harm Dan, however I couldn’t stay a lie. Two months later, we have been divorced.

I’ve acquired some destructive feedback about how our relationship started, however I attempt to not fear about what different individuals assume, as a result of being true to myself has made me the happiest lady – and spouse – on the earth.”