After the couple's dramatic exit we all started getting ready for dinner. Since we assigned seats for the ceremony the guests were allowed to sit wherever they wanted to for dinner. But they kind of stayed in their own cliques, occasionally stepping out of their group for a brave second to talk to another before heading back to their people. There were the doctors, Victor's family, the 7 high school friends invited, the neighbors, and the random people who were questioning why in the universe they were invited. I think it is so funny how they are just interacting with each other. This feels like a reunion.

I think a memory that is going to stay with me forever is the very brief conversation I had with B from the hospital.

"Never thought that you Dad was gay. I thought he was into chicks," she said as she found herself standing next to me. 

"He isn't gay," I said.

"Then what is he?"

"He is just a person who is happy and in love."

She has such a confused face on. "I- I guess."

I looked around and saw everyone standing around while the workers were getting the dinner tables set up. We wanted the workers to eat with us so we wanted them to get the work out of the way so they could enjoy the party too.

"Tell me something, B. You liked him, didn't you?"

Her smile, for some reason, got bigger as I asked this. "We have been friends since we started college, and I started really liking him when I dropped out of medical school," she said with a certain fondness. "I tried taking him to bed every single chance I got, but he was always busy with you. I told him one day that I would like to go on a date, and he actually said yes. He ended up taking me to your parent teacher conference. He knew me all along. He was the one who actually got me the job working at the hospital. He told me that we could stay friends. I am glad we did."

I don't remember that parent teacher conference, but I could imagine B all dressed up in the most revealing clothes, thinking she was going to some nice restaurant, but ended up going to my dingy elementary school. Dad always surrounded himself with great people, but he always kept to himself. Most people don't really know the full story, know him truly. He always hid behind a wall. Well maybe not anymore.

"I'm glad too. Well, enjoy the rest of the party."

"Yeah, thanks," she looked around and her eyes lit up. "I found the real party." She found some people continuing their own party from earlier. She is going to be fine. But I looked around and saw Joshua standing next to Greyson, talking casually, though eyeing that group from the side. I sighed, putting some of my tension into the air. 

Finally, the newlyweds came out. Victor wasn't really joking earlier. They both went to their room to freshen up and go breathe for a second. Getting married takes up a lot of energy. We all clapped and cheered as they made their entrance. Hand in hand they walked to their little table. Dinner was finally ready.

We all went to our tables and sat down. I was situated between Greyson and Joshua. It was going to be a three-course meal, and I was already sick to my stomach. A true 3 course meal meant a lot of chewing and swallowing and a lot of food that I honestly didn't feel like eating. I looked over to Greyson and there was no interest in my face.

"Promise me you will eat at least the appetizers," Greyson asked me. It was going to be salad and soup and buns and there were going to be drinks served to the adults. For a quick second I considered asking for something to calm my nerves down.

"Okay," I said. I started to play with my necklace as we began serving ourselves. The bowl reached me, and I put one spoon on my plate. I looked over to Greyson, looking for his approval. He reached for the bowl and put some on his plate. He put just a little bit more on my plate. It looked like a mountain.

"Uhm... why the heck are there 10 million spoons in front of me?" Joshua asked. There was a full silverware set for each person. It was very comical to me. Greyson grew up like this. He took etiquette classes from a young age along with his brother. So, when we met, he taught me a lot. I have gotten better but I will never be able match his mannerism. So, this type of stuff can't really shake us at this point. But then we come back to Normalville and realize that not everyone is used to a soup and salad spoon.

"Think of it like a V. Use the outermost spoon for the appetizer, the middle spoon for the main course, and the innermost for the desert. Try talking to the person to your left after this course. And make sure that you lay your fork and knife horizontally across your plate when you are done." I sit up straight again and start eating the salad. 

Even though I really didn't feel like eating it was actually really good. Victor's family was also sharing a table with us, these tables were set for 11, and it was nice to talk to them. Victor's dad told us some stories about the time he was serving. His wife was also accompanying him with some stories of her own. Though there were rarely stories about their entire family together, they were here today.

Next was the main course. It was honey garlic salmon with grilled asparagus. It was set in the middle of the table looking so Instagram worthy. We took the lid off and the steam rose in the air. Of course, I was the only one not able to take the cute picture. Again, I didn't put a lot on my plate. I only took out 4 bites worth. Salmon isn't really my favorite. Greyson actually gave me a bit of a look this time.

"I promise you I will eat a cheeseburger or something at the airport," I said to him. Much rather eat a cheeseburger than this. He nodded and began eating. The disgust was set on his face the minute he took the first bite. He doesn't really like it either. He swallowed his bite and said, "Make it two cheeseburgers."

We both sat down and just kind of watched the rest eat their food. I looked over to Joshua who was so entranced by the quality of the food. I mean we try to cook good food, but we don't need Gordon Ramsay quality at breakfast every day. Victor's dad brought on jokes saying that it is better than the navy and home food. His wife disagreed though. Shelby voiced the overall agreement in the end that it was good food, which the majority of us agreed to.

Finally, we were ready for dessert. Joshua was in a food coma that he was grabbing the wrong spoon. I put it down and handed him the right one discreetly. No one really cares about someone using the wrong spoon, but the future still exists, you never know when you may need this knowledge and what better time is there to learn than now. Placed on our plates were mini fruit tarts. No point in placing a gallon of ice cream when we still have to eat cake. This is just for the pictures and to satisfy those sweet teeth for now.

I grabbed one and took a bite. It was hard to swallow it though. The crust was kind of hard and just my luck I got the one where the taste of orange hits like a cannonball. I smiled though and downed it, then pushed my plate away. I am so done with food for now. Everyone else finished eating and some immediately started to unbutton their pants. A round of applause for the catering service and crew.

Finally, here came the cheesy part of the party: The speeches. This is the time to embarrass, remember, laugh, forgive and forget the past. I know that everyone in Victor's family had a speech and the four of us did too. In the sudden changes of the wedding we never had a formal rehearsal dinner so we just kind of winged it.

Victor's parents went first. They went on about stuff parents normally say at weddings: How their kid is all grown up, how it just seemed like yesterday they took their first step, gradually embarrass you as they continue, and give blessing upon blessing onto the couple. Victor's dad was especially emotional. He had tears run down his cheek after the second sentence.

Shelby was elected next. She gave off huge sibling vibes, as though they weren't, with hers. She talked about their brief childhood together and how they were best friends growing up. She says that it was hard when he moved away but their relationship was stronger than ever because of it. He was her superhero, her cooler half, her strength and courage to get up every day. She tried to keep it lighthearted but in the end we all had tears in our eyes. Victor got up and met his little sister. This time he gave her a real, genuine hug that seemed long overdue.

My friends went next. Dani talked about how Dad and Victor helped her come out of her shell. She used to be as hard and tough as nails, and it took us a long time for us to really get to know her. She wished them a long, happy life together. Joshua was next. He talked about how Dad helped him remember what it was like to be young again and to enjoy it. Joshua is the main caretaker in his household- mom died and his dad has cancer. He had known nothing but work for a long time. Dad helped out his family a lot. He is actually the reason why Joshua is able to go to Colorado with us. "All the best for the future," he said at the end.

Greyson was next. There was some whispering when people realized who he was. He was cut off from them but that doesn't mean he has completely stopped. He talked about how Dad had completely changed his life. How he was there for him in the darkest times of his life, and he was always there when he needed him. When Greyson finally started crying Dad got up and walked over to him. He embraced him and held him so tight. I knew it has been a while since Greyson felt that. "I am always going to be here, son," Dad said quietly to him. Greyson was trying hard to stop crying but it took a minute. But we all let him let it all out.

My friends and I all have our problems. But there always seemed to be one constant in our lives: Dad. He was always there, no matter what hour of the day, ready to comfort us and help us understand this murky world. We are friends cause we all can relate so closely to the person next to us. We were broken pieces that fit together, and the glue that held us together most of the time was the love Dad never stopped showing us. I think it was because he saw a piece of himself in each of us too.

Finally, it was my turn. I was clammy and the fact that I couldn't eat anything didn't help matters. I had debated memorizing my speech or reading off my phone. This time, the one time I remember doing it, I wanted to challenge myself.

I got up a held my glass in my hands. I looked over to the crowd then finally my eyes settled on them two. They both smiled, encouraging me to go on. For the first time ever, words came out of me so effortlessly. 

"When I was about 13 years old, I was a complete manic. I was hard to work around and at times it was impossible to get anything through my head. I vividly remember one day, when Dad started his residency at the hospital, I was so hyper and excited that I got lost. There was a new mural in the hospital, and I remember the colors excited me. Dad and all his friends took turns trying to find me. Finally, they found me talking to this young lady who was about to get chemo done. She was eating these spicy gummies and she shared them with me. It was spicing me out, but she said this was literally nothing to her.

"My dad made a mistake when he was young which ended in me being born. Since then, my dad has worked tirelessly. Not only to make ends meet but to make sure his daughter was raised right. No matter how tired he was he would always help me with homework or take me out to the street. Not once did my dad slack. Yes, it was incredibly hard at times, and at times the blame was entirely my fault, but he always did what he needed to do. He made it his life goal to become a better person.

"Now he is sitting here, ladies, gentleman, and everyone in between. He finished college with soaring grades, a well-paying job, a beautiful house, a good family with the addition of a loving husband, all the accolades he wants and so much more. Some people will say that he achieved his goal. They are right but are using the wrong reasons. He is a better person because of the progress of his character. He was a stubborn young man, and it was beyond hard at times, but today he sits here as the kind, loving, empathetic, caring, wonderful man and husband he is. I want to say this Dad: I am glad I was your mistake. I feel like if you were not in my life, I would have been a very lost and broken soul.

"I wish you two so many things. For a long life together. For a healthy one. To still be the wonderful men you both are and to never change. And to be happy- though a wise guy once told me that being happy all the time would suck."

"Cheers." I raised my glass to everyone who cheered me back.

I walked over to their table, feeling so many things that they balled up and formed up in tears. The good ones though. Both of them got up and I officially got to hug both my dads for the first time.

...

Make sure to vote and comment! Love y'all!