I’m a proud mother of two wonderful young women: my daughter Hannah (22) and my stepdaughter Christine (23). After my husband passed away years ago, I worked hard to keep our blended family close. Last year, both girls were engaged, and I imagined a house filled with excitement and wedding planning. But instead, tension lingered at every meal, every conversation.
Whenever Hannah excitedly shared wedding ideas, Christine seemed distant. One evening, Hannah gushed over beautiful DIY centerpieces, while Christine barely hid her frustration.
“Christine,” I said gently when she made a sharp comment. I hoped she would share her own ideas too, but she brushed it off, upset that so many venues were booked. I tried to stay neutral, but it felt like old rivalries from childhood were resurfacing.
When Hannah announced her wedding date for late January—thanks to a lucky venue cancellation—Christine’s disappointment was visible. Though I wished she could be happy for her sister, I understood her feelings. After all, she had been engaged longer but hadn’t finalized her own plans yet.
The tension grew. Christine started avoiding us. Meanwhile, Hannah found a stunning wedding dress online and brought it home, thrilled about her upcoming big day.
Continue reading on next page…