The day I'd fantasized about as a little girl, wrapped in my mom's old curtains pretending to walk down the aisle, had finally come. And the ironic thing was, it wasn't even a real wedding. Still, the buzz in the room was infectious.

Katie, always the pragmatist, was coordinating last-minute details and double-checking the seating arrangements. "I can’t believe this venue! This is going to be one for the books!” she declared, eyes sparkling mischievously as she winked at ...