The distance between us only grew. At Christmas, nobody would acknowledge the tension. At my sister’s birthday, she cut me with the words, “You moved so far away. It’s like you’re not really family anymore.”
Months later, I received a wedding invitation. By then, I’d already seen the pattern. I wasn’t asked to be in the wedding party, even though my other siblings were. My girlfriend of over a year wasn’t given a +1, but my sister’s friend was. I didn’t even get an invite to the rehearsal dinner. At that point, it was clear I was only being included for appearances.
So I didn’t go. I stayed in Portland. On the day of the wedding, my phone lit up with dozens of calls asking where I was. Eventually, I answered my mother’s call. She shouted, “Where the hell are you? You’re embarrassing us!”
And I finally snapped. I said, “It’s just a party. It’s no big deal, right?” Then I hung up.
Now, my family claims I ruined the wedding day. But the truth is, I was shut out long before that moment. All I did was stop playing along.
What do you think—was I wrong for skipping the wedding, or was I just setting boundaries after being excluded again and again? Share your thoughts below—I’d love to hear different perspectives.