I Married My Late Husband’s Best Friend – And On Our Wedding Night He Opened the Safe and Changed Everything

“I have eyes,” she replied. “And I am not blind. Peter loved you. He loved Dan. If he could have chosen anyone to look after you when he couldn’t, it would have been him.”

Tears spilled over before I could stop them.

“You are not betraying my son,” she said firmly, reaching for my hands. “You’re still living. That is what he would have wanted.”

Those words gave me permission I hadn’t been able to give myself.

Our Small Wedding And A Big Secret

Dan proposed in the most “us” way possible: in the kitchen, with a ring in one hand and a dish towel in the other.

“I can’t promise perfect,” he said. “But I can promise I’ll love you for the rest of my life.”

“That’s all I need,” I told him.

We chose a small backyard ceremony. We hung string lights between the maple trees. Borrowed chairs lined the lawn. I wore a simple cream dress. He wore a navy suit and the most nervous smile I’d ever seen on his face.

We wrote our own vows.

“I promise to honor the man who brought us together,” Dan said in front of our families, “and to love you in a way that never disrespects his place in your heart. I will spend every day trying to be worthy of the life we’re building.”

There were tears all around.

My daughter gave a toast that had everyone laughing and passing tissues. Dan’s daughter, now 13, stood up and said, “I’m really glad my dad found someone who makes him laugh again.” I had to look away for a moment to keep from sobbing.

By the time the last guests left, my feet hurt, my cheeks ached from smiling, and my heart felt strangely light.

We drove back to Dan’s house, which was now our house. I kicked off my heels, washed off my makeup, and expected to find him loosening his tie and breathing easily.

Instead, he was standing by the small safe in the closet. His shoulders were tight, his hands trembling.

Continue reading…