The reception limped along without the groom.
Our family and friends tried their best to keep the mood light, but everyone was talking about what had happened.
My aunt kept shaking her head and muttering, “In my day, men knew how to treat ladies.”
Meanwhile, Uncle Joe kept patting Ryan on the back, saying, “Good for you, son.”
Ed didn’t come home that night. I sat in our apartment, still in my ruined wedding dress, wondering if my marriage was over before it had really begun.
He finally showed up the next morning looking absolutely wrecked. His eyes were red and his hair was a mess. He was still wearing the same cake-stained tuxedo.
“Lily,” he said, dropping to his knees right there in our living room. “I’m so sorry. When Ryan shoved my face in that cake, I felt so embarrassed that I wanted to cry. For the first time, I understood how badly I hurt you. I’m really, really sorry.”
Tears were streaming down his face. “It was stupid. It was thoughtless. I thought it would be funny, but all I did was humiliate the woman I love on the most important day of our lives.”
He looked up at me with genuine remorse. “I swear to you, I will never do anything like that again. Please forgive me.”
I did forgive him, though it took time.
And Ryan? He kept casting Ed wary sideways glances for weeks afterward, making sure his message had really sunk in.
Now, 13 years later, I’m happy to report that I’m living a good life with Ed.
We have two beautiful kids, and he’s never forgotten the lesson my brother taught him that day. He knows there’s someone watching out for me. Someone who won’t hesitate to step in if I’m ever disrespected again.
I’m sharing this story today because it’s Ryan’s birthday.
I want the world to know how lucky I am to have a brother who loves me enough to defend me, even when it means making a scene at my own wedding.
Some heroes wear capes, but mine wears a suit and makes sure nobody ever hurts his little sister.
continued on next page
For complete cooking times, go to the next page or click the Open button (>), and don't forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.
