\n\n\n\nFor illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n
Diane had written letters for every important event in Anne\u2019s life: her high school graduation, her wedding day, even the future birth of a child. Today, Anne was opening the one for her wedding.\n\n\n\n
Her heart ached knowing her mother wasn\u2019t there, but Diane had found a way to stay close, even after death.\n\n\n\n
With shaky hands, Anne opened the envelope and carefully unfolded the letter. Her mother\u2019s familiar handwriting appeared, and immediately, tears welled up in Anne\u2019s eyes.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n She blinked rapidly, wiping them away before they could ruin her makeup. The words on the page blurred for a moment before Anne could focus.\n\n\n\n \u201cAnne, my dear Anne, today is your big day. Like every bride, you\u2019re probably panicking about something small going wrong. But none of these little things will matter in the long run. A year from now, you won\u2019t even remember them. What truly matters is that you\u2019ve chosen the right man\u2026\u201d\n\n\n\n Anne paused, feeling her chest tighten. The doubts she\u2019d been carrying for months surfaced again. Had she really chosen the right man? Her mother\u2019s words made her question everything all over again.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney Anne and Roger strolled through the park, laughing about their most recent dating disasters. Things always seemed to go wrong for both of them.\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, how\u2019s that last guy? What was his name again?\u201d Roger asked, squinting as if trying to remember.\n\n\n\n \u201cMark,\u201d Anne answered.\n\n\n\n \u201cRight, Mark. How was that?\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n Anne shrugged. \u201cHe\u2019s okay. He\u2019s successful, has his own company. He took me to a fancy restaurant, and drove me home after.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cBut\u2026?\u201d Roger raised an eyebrow.\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s boring,\u201d Anne admitted, sighing. \u201cAll he talked about was work. I didn\u2019t know what to say, so I just sat there, nodding.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger laughed. \u201cSo, no second date?\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cActually\u2026\u201d Anne hesitated, kicking at the ground.\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, what? Why?\u201d Roger asked, surprised.\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s a good guy, you know? He\u2019s successful, and I\u2019ve always wanted someone like that. And\u2026 he didn\u2019t try to kiss me, which was kind of nice,\u201d she explained.\n\n\n\n Roger looked puzzled. \u201cSo, you\u2019re going to keep seeing him because he didn\u2019t kiss you?\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like that,\u201d Anne said, defending herself. \u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 it feels safe. But it\u2019s still early. We\u2019re just dating.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger gave her a curious look. \u201cAnd what about you? Seeing anyone?\u201d Anne asked, trying to change the subject.\n\n\n\n \u201cThere\u2019s someone,\u201d Roger admitted, glancing at her.\n\n\n\n \u201cThen tell her how you feel,\u201d Anne said, nudging him playfully.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat if she doesn\u2019t feel the same? I could lose her,\u201d Roger replied, his tone serious.\n\n\n\n \u201cYou won\u2019t,\u201d Anne said with a grin. \u201cTrust me. She\u2019d be crazy not to love you.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger smiled, but his eyes held something more.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n After their second date, Mark asked Anne to be his girlfriend, and she decided to give it a try. A little over a month later, they moved in together.\n\n\n\n At first, things seemed fine, but one day, Anne came down with a fever. She was curled up in bed, her head pounding. She had asked Mark to take the day off to stay with her, but he refused, saying he had too much work, even though he owned the company.\n\n\n\n As Anne lay there, her body aching, she heard the doorbell ring. She groaned, forcing herself out of bed. Slowly, she made her way to the door and opened it. There, standing with a warm smile and a large bag, was Roger.\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, sick girl,\u201d Roger said, smiling as Anne opened the door.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cHey,\u201d Anne replied, her voice weak and stuffy from the cold.\n\n\n\n \u201cI brought you some soup,\u201d Roger said, holding up the bag he was carrying.\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re my hero,\u201d Anne said with a small grin, stepping aside to let him in.\n\n\n\n They walked into the kitchen. Anne sat down at the table while Roger went straight to the stove to heat up the soup.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, how\u2019s living with Mark?\u201d Roger asked, stirring the soup.\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Anne said. \u201cHe\u2019s really neat. I don\u2019t even have to ask him to clean up. He just does it.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger nodded. \u201cThat sounds good.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cYeah, but\u2026\u201d Anne hesitated, biting her lip.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cBut what?\u201d Roger asked, turning to look at her.\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d Anne said, shaking her head.\n\n\n\n \u201cCome on, tell me,\u201d Roger insisted, leaning against the counter.\n\n\n\n Anne sighed. \u201cHe wants me to quit my job. He says he can support both of us and that being a chef isn\u2019t serious enough.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n Roger frowned. \u201cBut you love your job.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cI know,\u201d Anne said. \u201cI told him that, but maybe he\u2019s right. Maybe I should just let it go.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger walked over and sat down next to her. He took her hand, looking into her eyes. \u201cAnne, you\u2019re amazing at what you do. You\u2019ve worked so hard to get where you are. Don\u2019t give that up for anyone, not even Mark. You deserve to follow your dreams.\u201d\n\n\n\n Anne smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest. \u201cThanks, Roger. You always know what to say.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cI mean it,\u201d Roger said. \u201cAnd besides, I need your cooking. I wouldn\u2019t survive without it.\u201d\n\n\n\n Anne laughed. \u201cYou\u2019re ridiculous.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger grinned. \u201cI\u2019m serious!\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cAlright, I\u2019ll think about it,\u201d Anne said.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cYou better,\u201d Roger replied, standing up to check the soup.\n\n\n\n \u201cBy the way, what happened with that girl you liked?\u201d Anne asked suddenly.\n\n\n\n Roger paused. \u201cShe\u2019s with someone else now.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, then she wasn\u2019t the one,\u201d Anne said softly.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m not so sure about that,\u201d Roger muttered, barely audible. But Anne heard him.\n\n\n\n Anne stood on the side of the road, rain pouring down on her as her car sat motionless. It was getting dark, and she felt a knot of panic growing in her chest. Her fingers shook as she called Mark.\n\n\n\n \u201cMark, my car broke down. I don\u2019t know what to do. It\u2019s dark, and it\u2019s getting cold,\u201d Anne said, her voice trembling.\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll send someone,\u201d Mark replied without hesitation. \u201cJust text me where you are.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cCan you come? I\u2019m scared. I really need you right now,\u201d Anne asked, her heart sinking as she said it.\n\n\n\n \u201cI can\u2019t, I\u2019m at work,\u201d Mark answered, his tone firm. \u201cSomeone will be there soon. Don\u2019t worry.\u201d And with that, he hung up.\n\n\n\n Tears pricked Anne\u2019s eyes as she stood there, alone in the rain. She felt a deep sadness settle over her. After a moment, she dialed Roger\u2019s number.\n\n\n\n \u201cHey, I\u2019m stuck on the road near that gas station with the weird drinks. Are you busy?\u201d she asked, her voice soft.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve got an interview coming up,\u201d Roger replied. \u201cBut why? What\u2019s going on?\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cOh, never mind, it\u2019s nothing,\u201d Anne said quickly, not wanting to bother him. She hung up before he could ask more.\n\n\n\n Fifteen minutes later, headlights appeared through the rain. Roger\u2019s car pulled up next to hers, and he got out, hurrying over to her.\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat are you doing here? I told you I was fine,\u201d Anne said, surprised.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, \u2018nothing\u2019 means \u2018very important\u2019 when it\u2019s you,\u201d Roger said, offering a small smile as he handed her his jacket.\n\n\n\n \u201cThanks,\u201d Anne said, wrapping it around herself. \u201cMark couldn\u2019t come. But you skipped your interview.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s just an interview,\u201d he said, brushing it off.\n\n\n\n Anne looked down at the wet ground, her heart heavy. \u201cRoger, you didn\u2019t have to come.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cI love you, Anne,\u201d Roger said suddenly, his voice full of emotion.\n\n\n\n \u201cI love you too, Roger,\u201d Anne said softly, thinking of their long friendship.\n\n\n\n \u201cNo,\u201d Roger said, shaking his head. \u201cI love you. I always have.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cOh\u2026\u201d Anne\u2019s breath caught in her throat. \u201cRoger, I\u2019m engaged,\u201d she said, showing him the ring on her finger.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd where\u2019s your fianc\u00e9 now?\u201d Roger asked. \u201cAnne, I love you. I\u2019ve always loved you. I want to be with you.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cRoger, no. This isn\u2019t right,\u201d Anne said, stepping back.\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease, I know you feel something too,\u201d Roger said, taking a step closer.\n\n\n\n Anne took a deep breath, then spoke quietly. \u201cI\u2019m pregnant.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n Roger didn\u2019t flinch. \u201cI don\u2019t care. I\u2019ll love this baby like my own.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cRoger, no,\u201d Anne said, shaking her head. \u201cThis is Mark\u2019s baby. I have to quit my job. Mark wants me to stop working.\u201d\n\n\n\n Roger\u2019s expression softened. \u201cAnne, don\u2019t give up your life for him.\u201d\n\n\n\n \u201cMark sent someone for me,\u201d Anne said, turning away.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cGoodbye, Anne,\u201d Roger said softly, and then she heard his car pull away. Anne stood there, watching him disappear into the rain, her heart heavy with confusion and sadness.\n\n\n\n Anne sat in the hotel room, the letter trembling in her hands. Her heart pounded as she forced herself to continue reading her mother\u2019s words.\n\n\n\n \u201cThe right man will be by your side no matter what. He will love you even when you\u2019re covered in snot and sound like an old man. He\u2019ll drop everything to come to you with just one ring; you won\u2019t even need to ask. The right man will accept all of you, fully and completely, and support you through anything. The right man will always be there, and you will always, and I repeat ALWAYS, be his priority. So this is the only thing I ask you to think about: make sure you\u2019ve chosen THE ONE, because if you haven\u2019t, nothing else will matter.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n Anne\u2019s hands tightened around the paper as tears rolled down her face. She no longer cared about her perfectly done makeup. Her chest heaved as sobs overtook her. Her mother\u2019s words echoed in her mind, stirring a deep realization.\n\n\n\n She wiped her face, took a deep breath, and read the final words.\n\n\n\n \u201cP.S. I love you more than anything in the world, Mom.\u201d\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n Wiping her face, Anne stood up, her heart racing with clarity. She grabbed her purse and rushed out of the hotel room, her wedding dress trailing behind her. Outside, she waved down the first taxi she saw, barely able to speak as she gave the driver an address.\n\n\n\n Minutes later, she stood in front of a familiar house. Her hands shook as she knocked on the door, nervous but certain. The door opened, and Roger stood there, looking confused.\n\n\n\n For illustration purposes only. | Source: Midjourney\n\n\n\n \u201cHey,\u201d Anne whispered.\n\n\n\n \u201cHey?\u201d Roger replied, unsure of what was happening.\n\n\n\n Without saying another word, Anne stepped forward and kissed him\u2014kissed him with everything she had. At that moment, she knew Roger was the one\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On her wedding day, Anne receives a letter from her late mother, written especially for this moment. As Anne reads her mother\u2019s heartfelt words, she […]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4787"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4787"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4788,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4787\/revisions\/4788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sciencesandnatures.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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\n\n\n\nPresent day\u2026\n\n\n\n
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