Tessa is my name. A few weeks ago, I believed that my life was going exactly as I had always imagined. I was 35 years old, engaged to a man I loved, and only a few days away from getting married. My full-time hobby for the past eight months has been wedding planning. Every detail, including menus, guest lists, music playlists, fittings, and seating charts, was something I lived and breathed.

And I thought it was fantastic. I used to spin around in my mother’s old bridesmaid dresses as a child, dreaming of this day. At last, that dream was coming true.

The Man Who Made Everything Seem Simple
I met Jared at a friend’s housewarming party two years ago. He entered the room with brown eyes and a casual smile while I was in the kitchen fumbling with a stubborn bottle of wine.

“Need help?” he inquired.

I joked, “Only if you swear not to make fun of me.”

He poured us each a glass, popped the cork with ease, and toasted, saying, “To the joys of being semi-functional adults.”

We clicked right away. Two dates followed, followed by weekends, holidays, and inside jokes. He was a marketing professional who made me laugh every day and was so kind to me that I felt fortunate to be in his presence. I didn’t think twice when he proposed last Christmas, hiding a ring in my dessert.

Yes, I replied.

Then, something altered.
The wedding was only a week away when Jared began acting… Regarding a brief “bachelor trip” he had organized with two of his friends, he was evasive, distracted, and constantly on his phone. It was just a short trip, he told me, with some hiking, beer, and guy time. I refrained from pressing. Even his favorite trail snacks were packed by me.

However, I met Dylan, one of his groomsmen, at the mall three days prior to his scheduled departure.

“Hi, Tessa! “Congrats on your ability to handle the closure trip,” he remarked nonchalantly.

“Closure trip?” With a tight voice, I asked.

He chuckled. Yes, you are taking a vacation with your former partner prior to the wedding. A brave move.

I gritted my teeth and pretended to be up to date. Yes, indeed. Jared is a strong believer in emotional resolution.

Dylan gave a nod. “But that flight in the morning is going to be difficult.”

“Early?” I inquired.

Indeed. Tuesday at 8:40 a.m. I was asked to fill in for him.

Dylan’s face twisted in bewilderment as I mentioned the weather and threw out a line about packing for Bali.

“Bali? I assumed they were headed to Cancún.

Unaware that he had just destroyed my entire world, he turned to leave.

Instead of crying, I called.
I spent ten whole minutes sitting in my car. I refrained from screaming. I refrained from crying. All I did was gaze out the windshield. I then took out my phone and called a person I hadn’t spoken to in a long time.

The Surprise at the Airport
I wore a white sundress when I entered the airport the following morning. However, I wasn’t by myself.

Jared and his ex-girlfriend Miranda were laughing uncontrollably at the security checkpoint when I saw them.

I took a step forward. “Jared!”

He pivoted. initial misunderstanding. Then fear.

Liam was standing next to me. Tall, good-looking, and serene.

I smiled and said, “Liam.” “All set for our journey?”

Jared blinked. “What—what is happening? Is this a joke?

I gave a charming smile. Before the wedding, you’re going on a trip of self-discovery. We assumed we would follow suit. Symmetry, you know.

Liam held out his hand. “Dude, closure is crucial. All we want is to begin our new chapters in the best possible way.

Walking hand in hand, we passed them.

The Motivation for the Smile
I dated Liam when we were in college. Although we hadn’t stayed in touch, I remembered him as loyal, funny, and steady.

I had called Liam and told him everything after Dylan’s revelation.

He said, “As retaliation for your cheating fiancé, you want me to travel to Mexico with you?”

“Are margaritas still your thing?” I answered.

He laughed. “Send the itinerary to me.”

There was more to that trip than retaliation. We walked the beaches, reminisced about the past, talked for hours, and shared things that we had not discussed years before.

We stopped pretending by the end of the week.

A Fresh Start
Liam relocated to my city six months later. We were married in a modest ceremony that spring, in front of only people we trusted and loved.

Not a drama. No secrets. Just tranquility.

Months later, I received one email from Jared. “I guess your closure worked,” it said.

It did, indeed.