I grabbed my father’s hand and pulled him up from the cheap plastic chair. He was crying, but this time, he was standing tall. I wrapped my arms around both of my parents, ignoring the heavy silk of my dress.

We walked to the front of the room, took the plush velvet chairs in the front row, and I ordered three shots of my dad’s favorite expensive whiskey.

It wasn’t the wedding day I had planned, but as I sat between my parents under the glowing crystal chandeliers, I knew it was exactly the day I was supposed to have.