June 30th 2024.
For five years, I embraced the single life and focused on myself. I renovated my house, joined a fancy Country Club, and started practicing yoga. I even took up sign language and volunteered for the Samaritans. With so much going on, I realized that I didn't need a partner to enhance my life. In fact, I was actually happier on my own.
But that all changed when I met my partner, Tom, on OKCupid. We shared the same vision of love and romance, and I was convinced that he was the one. We were incredibly happy for five years, until he broke my trust and I eventually left. Heartbroken and in debt, I focused on becoming financially stable and even paid off £11,000 of debt in just 10 months.
During this time, I came across an article about a woman in Italy who married herself. It was a unique concept that inspired me. If she could do it, why couldn't I? So, I made a bold decision to set up a Facebook Event for my 40th birthday. If I wasn't happily engaged or married by then, I would have a wedding for my birthday.
As the date approached, I began planning and booking everything I needed for my big day. I hired a DJ, videographer, and photographer, and even had a glitter bar. I also had the dress I designed years ago made, bought a 3-tier cake, and spent £1,200 on dried flowers.
Not everyone understood my decision to have a wedding for my birthday. Some questioned why I wanted a wedding when I didn't have a partner. Others thought I was giving up on finding love. But I knew what I wanted and I was determined to make it happen.
The day finally arrived and I was a mix of nerves and excitement. As I walked down the aisle to the upbeat rhythm of Good Thing by Reel Big Fish, I felt a rush of happiness. My bridesmaids held up inflatable saxophones in a flash-mob style and my guests erupted in applause.
As I danced my way to the front of the room, my nerves vanished. But there was no one waiting for me at the 'altar'. That's because I was 'marrying' myself – not literally, but in a symbolic way. This was all part of my plan to celebrate my independence and self-love.
Though it wasn't the traditional wedding I had always dreamed of, it was everything I needed. It was a declaration of my amazing companions – my guests – and a celebration of my survival, resilience, independence, peace, joy, and self-love. And to top it off, my bridesmaids even upgraded me to the bridal suite for the night.
As the night came to an end, I fell into the enormous bed and chuckled to myself that I didn't have to share it with anyone. I may not have had a 'traditional' wedding, but I felt truly happy, loved, and blessed. My guests all agreed that it was the best wedding they had ever been to.
Looking back, I may have once dreamed of a big wedding with a partner by my side. But through my past relationships, I realized that they only brought disappointment and drama. And now, I am content with who I am and where I am in life. I don't need a partner to complete me. I am complete on my own. And that is something to truly celebrate.
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