I wasn’t sure I wanted to attend my sister’s wedding last weekend. We’ve always had a strained relationship: Rachel is the overachiever, while I’m the “dreamer.” I own a small landscaping firm that I started from the ground up. It’s my passion, yet my family considers it a side gig. They are constantly comparing me to Rachel, who has a “real” career as a lawyer.
When my sister asked me to make the flower arrangements for her wedding, I was overjoyed. I spent hours perfecting everything—custom bouquets, centerpieces, the entire. On the wedding day, everyone raved about the decorations, and I felt delighted to have contributed.
During the reception, however, Rachel approached me alone. I assumed she was going to thank me. substituted: “I hope you don’t think this means your ‘gardening business’ is anything more than a hobby.” I was stunned. I said, “Really? “After everything I have done for you?” She just chuckled and added, “Let’s not ruin my day.”
I felt like nothing. I departed immediately after that. I did not want to stay and pretend everything was fine. Rachel is now outraged, claiming that I made it all about myself. My folks think I destroyed her special day. I’m tired of being the punchline in my family jokes. Or was I expected to sit there and accept it?
