The Kane family had a way of turning weddings into homecomings, and Harper Lily Ellis’s was no exception.

It was a warm August afternoon in Evergreen Hollow, the kind of day that felt like a gift after a long winter. The pond lay perfectly still, mirroring a flawless blue sky dotted with lazy white clouds. A soft breeze carried the scent of cut grass and blooming wildflowers. The backyard had been transformed with quiet care: rows of simple white chairs faced the water, mason jars filled ...