When my cousin was getting married, they sent out a ‘save the date’ before the actual invites
As the wedding date got closer, I messaged my cousin about the invite—only to learn she’d scrapped her Vegas plans for a destination wedding in Hawaii. I was stunned. Vegas was “too expensive,” but now they were going to Maui?
When I called, she explained her fiancé’s aunt owned a resort there and had offered to host everything. All they needed to cover were flights. It sounded dreamy, but also suspiciously rushed—the RSVP deadline was just weeks away.
When I arrived in Hawaii, my cousin hugged me, trembling. I asked what was wrong, and she finally confessed: her fiancé’s aunt was dying of cancer. Hosting the wedding was her way of leaving something meaningful behind. That’s why the change, why the rush.
The ceremony was breathtaking—sunset vows on the beach, flowers in the air, the ocean as a backdrop. But what made it unforgettable was the love and urgency behind it. It wasn’t just about two people getting married; it was about family, legacy, and making the most of the time we have.
As I flew home, I carried one lesson with me: life is fragile, and love is what lasts. Don’t wait to tell the people you care about how much they mean to you.
