But seeing her, it was a flood. She was so spectacular, that during some of the worst parts in my life, she still made me feel worthy of love. In the few short months we had been together, she had helped me heal from the cracks I had.

Here, one-on-one, where I could touch her and see her and smell her hair? It was better than I thought. I had clarity now. I had distance now. I might even deserve her now.

She kept looking at my face like I was a mirage that would burn off when the sun got high.

Teddi was making her way around to all the vendors and tables, thanking people for showing up. How she remembered all the names I didn’t know. My sister had the demeanor of a well-respected debutante and the people skills of a movie star. If she said she wanted to be the president someday, I’d believe her. But even she was looking between Taylor and me.

Making time to watch us watch each other. At the next bay of tables, I spotted my parents. Two brides headed in our direction. God bless my father, he was carrying a huge pair of chunky heels. Instead of wearing the heels, he had on a set of satin slippers that I could read as he got closer. Bride & Bride.

“You couldn’t do the heels?” I held my arms out for their hugs. Mom beat Dad to it, but soon enough I was in the center of their double decker hug sandwich. All my friends had to come them up.

Dad was wearing a bridal gown that could have fit an NHL linebacker. “Where’d you find this beauty?” I lifted up the edge of the skirt. I saw now that there was a different lace pattern on the back of the dress.

My mom came forward and started pointing out seams. “I used two similar thrift store dresses and sewed them together to form a Frankenstein’s monster piece. It worked and he looks super cute, so I’m happy.”

“You’re a good man, Dad.” I touched dad’s dress.

“I’m thrilled you’re home. How’s the day going for you? You came here straight off the plane?” Dad grabbed his skirt and did a little kick.

I saw that there was a photographer in the distance, and he was snapping pictures that had us framed in the background.

I spoke to my parents while watching the photographer. I was on high alert. “Yeah, Teddi was a task master. But I wanted to be here for Taylor.”

My mom rubbed my arm. “That’s good, sweetheart. That’s good.”

Maybe we were all past the sister’s best friend taboo. This year had put something on our relationship that went beyond labels.