I dreaded walking into my sons wedding. My clothes were worn and threadbare, and I knew among all these well-dressed guests Id look like an outsider. But I had no other choice.
Ive spent my life working at the local greengrocers. My pay was modest but I always held myself with dignity. I raised my son on my own and was proud of the man hed become. We never had much, but we lived honestly, and I always knew my place.
When he told me he’d fallen in love and planned to marry a young woman from a well-off family, I couldn’t find the words to respond. I was happy for him, but I couldn’t help worrying: how would I help with the wedding when I barely had enough for the heating bill?
For three months, I barely slept. The arrangements, the cost, letting go of my only childas the big day drew nearer, all my worries kept me up at night. But above everything else, one question haunted me: what would I wear to my sons wedding?
All I had was my one green dress, bought years ago for next to nothing on the high street. I wore it when I brought my son home from the hospital. I wore it again at his graduation. And, as much as I wished otherwise, that same old dress was the only thing I could manage for his wedding.
As I stepped inside the church, I heard my new in-laws muttering under their breath:
My word, is that the grooms mother?
She couldve made a bit more of an effort How embarrassing, on her own sons wedding day
Their words stung, sharp as pins. Among their crisp suits and glamorous jewellery, their looks of disdain cut me to the quick.
I was ashamed to walk my son down the aisle, knowing full well that my appearance was the butt of their jokes, when suddenly something happened that no one expected.
My soon-to-be daughter-in-law glided over to me. She was tall and radiant in a spectacular white gown that must have cost a fortune. I shrank inside, mortifiedstarkly aware of the contrast between us.
But what she said next silenced the whole church.
With a bright smile, she looked at my old green dress and spoke clearly, so everyone could hear, Oh, you wore *that* dress. Its lovely. Ive seen your photos from years agoyou havent changed at all. Youre still just as beautiful.
A hush swept through the guests. Even the gossips fell silent.
She laid her hand gently on my shoulder, her voice warmer now, and said,
Im so grateful you raised such a wonderful man. You did it all on your own, and you gave him the greatest gift of allreal love. Im honoured to become part of your family. And what matters most at a wedding isnt the dress.
Then, she bent and kissed my hand.
That was it for methe tears just spilled over. For the first time in my life, someone truly saw all that I had done for my boy, all the love and effort that went into every day.
All around us, the guests watched on in amazement.
