The lonely groom

So in an eariler post, I mentioned that my oldest brother is getting married - well congratulations! He and his beautiful new wife are married (as of Saturday!)

But what has been weighing on my mind is the sadness of my brother's wedding.

My brother had NONE of his immediately family at his wedding ceremony. There are 5 of us in our nuclear family: my dad, my mom, my oldest brother (the one getting married), my not as young brother (both brothers are older than me), and me. Because my maid of honor (from my wedding 5 1/2 years ago) planned her wedding on the same day as my brother's wedding ... I knew that I would be going to my maid of honor's wedding (because I was in it) and then I'd be showing up late for my brother's wedding, missing the ceremony, but being there for the reception.

So when I showed up, and saw my brother and his wedding party taking pictures I felt sheepish (feeling guilty about missing the ceremony, though it was planned) and gave my brother a huge congratulation hug and he whispered in my ear that "none of the family made it to the ceremony" ... in the conversation following I learned that my father, my mother, and my brother were all LATE to the wedding. My brother was supposed to be a groomsman, and he missed the wedding. My parents arrived to "catch the tail end of the ceremony"

My brother, the groom, had an entire row reserved for his family ... and the lonely row was empty. There were over 100 friends at the wedding, but not an immediate family member in sight.

How sad is that? Can you imagine if that happened to you? My heart breaks for my brother. I cried when I heard that this happened to him, how disrespected would you feel? I ended up mourning this for my brother during the entire reception - I had a hard time enjoying the celebration.

Dad, mom, brother ... if you're reading this ... sorry to expose you, I know your heart breaks as much as mine does. This is something that has been on my mind and heart for days and I needed to share.