The truth was that both of us had spent years surrounded by people who made decisions for us and called it love.

Kevin called dozens of times.

I never answered.

Corrine mailed me a letter.

She apologized for trying to heal one daughter by hurting another.

I believed she meant it.

But some mistakes permanently change the way you see someone.

People still ask whether I regret canceling my wedding over something as small as the processional.

I always tell them it was never about who walked first.

It was about realizing the man waiting at the altar had been willing to let everyone else decide how my life should unfold.

Marriage begins with choosing each other.

Before we were even married, Kevin chose someone else.

So I chose myself.