Just as the wedding music began to play, excitement filled the air—until we realized something was wrong. Amelia, my nine-year-old stepdaughter and our flower girl, was missing. The ceremony paused, and concern spread across the venue. Moments later, we found her in a locked supply closet, quietly crying, still holding her flower basket. What she told us next changed everything we thought we knew about the day.
When I first met Amelia, she was a quiet six-year-old still grieving the loss of her mother. Building trust wasn’t easy, but over time, we formed a close bond—through bedtime stories, weekend baking, and small but meaningful routines. I’ll never forget when she first looked up at me and said, “I hope you stay forever.”
So when I got engaged to her father two years later, she was thrilled. “I want to be your flower girl!” she declared. She joined every planning meeting, sketching dresses and holding my hand through it all. She wasn’t just part of the wedding—she was part of my heart.
The morning of the wedding was beautiful. Sunlight streamed into the bridal suite, and Amelia twirled in her dress with a pink sash, beaming with pride. “Watch my walk,” she said, rehearsing her steps for the hundredth time.
Continue reading on next page…