Marrying My Best Friend

I sat at my parents’ dining room table surrounded by several friends and family members. I didn’t know how I got there, but we were stuffing envelopes with beautiful cards that appeared to be invitations to some sort of ceremony. My sister and mother were there along with my grandmothers, my aunts, a few of my female cousins, and a couple of my close friends. 

One of my aunts asked me, “How does it feel to getting married, again?”

I paused for a moment and then realized we were preparing the invitations for my wedding. I couldn’t believe it. I became excited. Getting married again was one of my heart’s desires, especially after being divorced for nearly five years. 

“It feels good,” I responded. 

I imagined my wedding day. A beautiful mermaid gown; my hair styled in a classic updo; my groom looking dapper; my bridesmaids in lavender dresses; the groomsmen in black tuxedos; my four tier cake. Everything was going to be amazing and I couldn’t wait. 

Just then, one of my best female friends walked into the house. I was happy she was there to help me prepare for my big day. 

She greeted me, “Hey Honey, “and joined the rest of us as we put together the invitations. 

I thanked her for coming to help us and stressed how much I appreciated her being there.

My best friend laughed, “Why wouldn’t I be here? It’s my wedding, too.”

My eyes squinted with confusion. I didn’t understand what she meant by, ‘It’s my wedding, too’. Were we doing a double wedding? I wasn’t aware that she was dating anyone. Like me, she was divorced. And like me, she wanted to get married again. I didn’t want to be selfish, but the thought of doing a double wedding didn’t sit well with me. I didn’t want to share my day with another couple. 

One of my cousins smiled at me and then looked at my best friend. “You two have been friends for all these years and y’all are finally getting married. That’s so sweet. Where are y’all going for the honeymoon?”

I asked my best friend, “We’re going on the honeymoon together, too? Don’t you think sharing a wedding is enough?”

Everyone in the room burst into laughter. They were in hysterics and I was the only one with a serious expression. 

My best friend responded, “Oh Honey, you're so funny. Of course we’re going on the honeymoon together. That’s what married couples do. I can’t go to the Bahamas without my bride.”

Suddenly my heart dropped. Reluctantly, I slowly looked down at the invitation and read the words that were typed in an elegant script font. 

The Honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of

Mrs. and Mrs. Rowland

Oh my goodness! The invitation read, ‘Mrs. and Mrs. Rowland’. Two Mrs.’ and no Mister. I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone.  I guess that’s why my best friend kept calling me ‘Honey’. She never called me that. I couldn’t believe I was engaged to be married to my best friend who was a woman. I wasn’t a lesbian and to the best of my knowledge she wasn’t either. Of course I loved her. We had been friends for nearly twenty years, but I wasn’t in love with her. 

I tried to think of how I was going to get out of that situation. I needed to tell everyone in the room that they could stop stuffing envelopes because there was not going to be a wedding. I didn’t want to disappoint everyone…

…and thankfully I didn’t have to because I woke up from the dream at that moment.