My groom-to-be wasnt the one so I left him for my maid of honor

Kayla Doody, 29, from Florida, explains why jilting her groom – and saying ‘I do’ to her maid of honor instead – was the best decision she’s ever made.Walking down the aisle, I felt like a princess.With my dad on my arm and my wedding dress floating around me, I’d never been happier.Then, I saw my future wife waiting for me and my smile grew even bigger.Erika, 36, may have been my second engagement in six months, but there was no doubt in my mind she was my forever love.Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was bullied at school about my appearance and my quiet, quirky personality, The Sun reports.I never felt like I fitted in.

While I dated boys, and even kissed a few girls to try to get attention from boys, none of it was serious.My self-esteem was so low, I didn’t think I was good enough to be loved by anyone.I met Harry* in September 2013, aged 18, when I started university in Houston.Like me, he was shy and quiet.For years, we were friends, hanging around with the same group, but over time we grew closer, and in 2018 we became a couple.I felt settled and comfortable, but I knew in my heart I wasn’t madly in love with Harry.It felt more like companionship than what my friends had – they were so passionate about their partners.

I didn’t feel jealous, though, as I still had low self-worth and I was just grateful for what I had – a man who loved me, even if I didn’t feel quite the same way about him.Working as a personal trainer in December 2021, I became friends with a client, Dan*, and in November 2022 met his wife Erika.Within months, Erika and I were best friends, messaging daily and hanging out as a foursome with our partners.In February 2023, I was out hiking with Harry when he proposed to me, dropping to one knee at the top of a rocky mountain and presenting me with a ring.It was a surreal and confusing moment.

I cared for Harry and I’d always wanted to be a bride, to have a special day where everyone could see that I had been chosen...