Our Daughter Was Ashamed of Us and Didnt Invite Us to Her Wedding
Today, I write about the ache in my heart. Our daughter was ashamed of us because we come from the countryside. She didnt even invite us to her wedding
My husband and I have always lived simply, but with dignity. Our home, the vegetable patch, the cows, the daily worriesour entire life revolved around one goal: raising our only daughter to be a woman of worth. For her, we would do anything. The best was always for Emily. New shoes? Of course. A coat so she wouldnt feel behind the city girls? Without question. We stretched every penny just so shed never go without. She grew up beautiful, clever. Top marks at school, dreams of city life. And we rejoicedour Emily would have a different future than ours.
With help from a friend, my husband secured her a place at a prestigious university in London. A state-funded course. We were as proud as if it were our own achievement. We supported her however we couldwith money, with encouragement. Every visit home was a celebration. We hung on her stories like fairy tales: her office job, her wealthy boyfriendDaniel, son of a businessman. Her face lit up when she spoke of him. And we thought: if only the wedding would come soon
But years passed, and no proposal came. One day, my husband couldnt take it anymore. “Invite Daniel here, at least let us meet him!” She hesitated, made excuses about work. Once, then again. Suspicion grew. Something wasnt right. So we decidedmy husband and Iwed go to London. We found the address in old letters. Bought pastries, dressed in our best clothes, and set off.
The house was pure luxury. Stone, glass, security. A polite man greeted us and led us inside. Wealth straight out of a film. We stood frozen, unsure where to look, until we were guided to the sitting room. Thats when I saw it. On the table, a large framed wedding photo. Dressed in white, clutching a bouquetour Emily. My husband turned to stone. The floor vanished beneath me.
“Why didnt you come to the wedding?” Daniel asked suddenly.
We exchanged glances. What could we say? That we hadnt known it happened? Then she appeared. Emily. Her face went pale, her lips trembled. I motioned for her to step outside with us. At first, she hesitated, then gave in.
“I didnt invite you because youre from the countryside. I was embarrassed. I didnt want everyone knowing my parents were simple village folk”
Those words pierced my heart like a knife. How could this be? Us? A shame? We gave her everything. Worked ourselves to the bone just so she could have a future.
“And Daniel?” I asked, barely breathing. “Did he know?”
“Yes. He wanted you there. He even sent an invitation, but I told him youd refused”
And that was it. We were the secret shame she buried. She didnt even give us the chance to be there on the most important day of her life. No explanation, no honestyjust erased.
We left that same day. No tears, no shouts. Just emptiness in our souls. How do you move forward when your own blood turns away? How do you believe any of it mattered? That we didnt raise a stranger?
Since then, Emily hasnt called. And weve stayed silent too. Not out of angerbitterness. Because what do you say to someone who betrayed you so easily?
