I thought my mom’s wedding at 70 would be a quiet, sweet event. But that changed when she grabbed the mic and gave a strange rule for whoever caught her bouquet. I stepped back, hoping to avoid it. But somehow, it landed—right in my hands.
I was standing in the kitchen, watching my mom move quickly around the table. She was fixing the place cards, adjusting napkins, and talking to herself about colors like they were the most important thing in the world.
She looked happy—really glowing. Meanwhile, I still couldn’t believe this was actually happening.
“Mom, are you serious? You’re seventy-nine, and you’re getting married?”
She looked up, smiling like I hadn’t said anything strange.
“Oh, don’t make that face, sweetheart. This isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something new!”
She looked just like she did in her twenties. Her eyes sparkled with that same wild energy. You couldn’t win an argument with her, no matter how hard you tried.
“Mom, why? You’re doing just fine on your own.”
“Who says I want to be alone?”
My mom always did exactly what she wanted.
“I know your marriage ended badly, and you’ve stopped believing in love. But I haven’t. Harold is great. He makes me laugh. I feel alive again.”
I sighed. She was brave, stubborn, and not afraid of anything. Once she made up her mind, there was no stopping her.
“So the wedding is really happening?”
“Invitations sent, dress picked, food chosen.”
“This is what life’s about,” she smiled. “And you need to live it instead of hiding from it.”
I bit my lip. She always knew how to bring up my divorce at the worst time.
I remembered the day my husband left. I came home like normal and saw his bags packed by the door. He said he had fallen for someone younger. Someone “fun.”
After that, I felt like love was just a trick—a story people told to make themselves feel better. I had spent years building myself back up. I didn’t need anyone.
“You know,” my mom said, snapping me out of my thoughts, “I’ve planned something fun at the wedding for my favorite girls.”
“You, and my granddaughters.”
She grinned. I had a bad feeling.
“Don’t worry. You’ll love it,” she waved.
I wasn’t so sure.
==========================
On the wedding day, driving to the big estate where it was held, the universe reminded me I wasn’t in charge.
My tire went flat in the middle of nowhere. No gas station. No cars. Just me, bad luck, and a phone with no signal.
I got out, sighed, and was about to call for help when a shiny pickup truck stopped beside me.
I rolled my eyes before even seeing who it was.
The man was tall, broad, with dark hair and an annoying smile.
“My tire’s flat,” I said, not hiding my frustration.
“That’s easy. Give me five minutes.”
“Great. But don’t expect me to trust you just because you can change a tire.”
He smiled. “Nick. And I’m not asking for trust, just tools.”
“I’m not in the mood for jokes,” I muttered.
From the passenger seat of his truck, a blonde woman leaned out and yelled, “Are you serious, Nick?”
He waved. “Just a minute, Julie!”
She gave me a nasty look before sitting back inside.
I crossed my arms. Just my luck. Another guy, another complicated woman. I didn’t care. I just wanted to get to the wedding.
===============================
The wedding was over-the-top. My mom looked like a queen. Harold couldn’t stop smiling. Everyone laughed, danced, and had a great time. Then, my mom grabbed the mic.
“Time for the bouquet toss!”
Cheers. My nieces rushed up, ready to catch it.
“And whoever catches it will win my special sapphire ring!”
People gasped with excitement.
“But there’s one rule,” she added, holding up a finger. “The winner must go on a date—with someone I choose!”
“Oh no,” I whispered, backing away.
Then she turned, winked at me, and threw the bouquet—straight at me. I didn’t move fast enough. It landed right in my arms.
Silence. Then cheers.
I stood frozen while my mom grinned. “Congrats!”
“This is a joke,” I muttered.
“Nope. A deal’s a deal.”
“Who’s my date?” I asked.
Her smile got wider. “Nick! Come on up!”
I spun around. That Nick. He walked up with a smug grin.
“Well, looks like fate picked me.”
Behind him, Julie looked furious.
I turned to my mom. “No way.”
She grabbed my arm and whispered, “Just once, sweetie. For me. As a gift.”
Before I could reply, she waved Nick over and disappeared into the crowd.
Nick leaned in. “So, when’s our date?”
“Let’s just get this over with. One date. That’s it.”
“Perfect. You pick the time and place.”
“Saturday. 7 p.m. Vincenzo’s downtown.”
“Fancy,” he smiled.
“Now excuse me. I need to forget this happened.”
As I walked away, I saw Nick head toward Julie. He whispered something, took her hand, and danced with her.
I didn’t stay for the cake. I just left, one thought in my head:
Why is my mom doing this to me?
Saturday night came. I arrived at the café ten minutes early, wanting to get it over with.
Nick came right on time.
Wearing a clean shirt and jeans, he looked too good. He smiled and sat across from me.
“Wow. You showed up. I thought you’d leave me a note and disappear.”
“I thought about it.”
“So, how was your day?”
“Before or after I regretted agreeing to this?”
He laughed.
“That’s why I like you. You’re honest. It’s refreshing.”
I sighed. “I’m only here because of my mom. One date. No hopes. No dreams.”
But he was surprisingly easy to talk to. We laughed a little. He joked about the wedding. I hated to admit it, but he was kind of charming.
Then his phone rang. He ignored it. It rang again.
“Sorry, just a second,” he said, stepping away.
I didn’t mean to listen, but I heard, “Hey, Julie… I know. Calm down…”
Then, “I’ll be there soon. Sit tight.”
He came back looking worried. “Sorry, I have to go.”
“Julie?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course.”
He dropped some cash on the table. “Sorry. I know this is…”
“Don’t worry. We’re done. No second date.”
“Really? Just like that?”
I gave him a flat look. “If you’re gonna run off to another woman mid-date, at least be subtle.”
He opened his mouth but stopped, sighed, and left.
I stared at my coffee. Nick. Julie. Of course.
Mom’s match-making had failed. I never expected her to set me up with a guy who couldn’t even finish one date.
Whatever. Not my problem anymore.
Or so I thought…
The next morning, flowers arrived at my office.
Red roses. A card:
“Hope you’re not allergic. –Nick”
I groaned and threw them away.
The next day, more flowers.
“Secret admirer?” a coworker joked.
“More like someone who doesn’t take a hint,” I said, putting them in the breakroom.
A week passed with no reply from me. Then my mom called.
“Dinner tonight. My house.”
“Mom…”
“No excuses. You left the wedding too early. Come.”
I gave in.
Her patio smelled amazing. For a second, I thought maybe it was just a normal dinner.
Then I saw Nick. Flipping burgers.
And Julie. Right behind him.
My anger rose.
Before I could leave, Mom grabbed me. “Sweetheart! You made it!”
“What is he doing here?”
“I invited him,” she smiled. “You two need a fresh start.”
“No thanks. I already know enough.”
“Then you won’t mind dinner,” she said, pushing me forward.
Nick saw me. “Look who stopped avoiding me.”
Julie scoffed. “Can we eat already?”
Mom clapped. “First, Nick has something to say.”
Nick sighed, put down the spatula. “Let me introduce you to someone.”
“I know Julie,” I said coldly. “She was all over you at the wedding.”
Nick shook his head. “Not like that.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “She’s my daughter.”
Julie rolled her eyes.
“I know I look too old to be his kid. But trust me—I’ve lived with him for eighteen long years.”
I froze. Nick scratched his head.
“My wife died when Julie was six. It’s been just us. And… she doesn’t like sharing me.”
“You’re annoying,” Julie said.
“So you two weren’t…”
“Dating?” Nick laughed. “No way.”
Julie made a gagging sound. “Gross.”
She sat across from me. “You’re not that bad. And honestly, Dad needs to move on. If you can stand him, go on another date.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “See? Even my daughter agrees.”
I smiled—just a little. “Maybe. But first, let’s eat.”
“Best thing you’ve said all night.”
We ate, laughed, and talked like normal people. And somehow, I realized something surprising:
Maybe… just maybe… I was finally ready to open my heart again.