A woman has left her fiancé and is now happily married to her maid of honor, calling it the best decision she’s ever made.
Kayla Doody, 29, from Florida, became engaged to Erika, 36, just six months after breaking off her engagement and shortly after Erika finalized her divorce.
According to The Sun, Kayla shared that growing up in Houston, Texas, she faced bullying due to her appearance and quiet nature. “I never fit in. While I dated boys and occasionally kissed girls to get attention from boys, nothing was serious. My self-esteem was so low I didn’t think I deserved love,” she said.
Kayla met Harry (not his real name) in September 2013 when she started university in Houston. Both being shy, they became friends and grew closer over time, eventually dating in 2018.
“I felt settled and comfortable, but I knew I wasn’t madly in love with Harry. It felt more like companionship. I wasn’t jealous of my friends’ passionate relationships because I was just grateful Harry loved me,” she explained.
By December 2021, while working as a personal trainer, Kayla befriended a client named Dan and, in November 2022, met his wife, Erika. Over the following months, Kayla and Erika developed a close friendship, often spending time together with their partners.
In February 2023, Harry proposed to Kayla during a hike, presenting her with a ring at the mountain’s summit. Although she said ‘yes,’ Kayla felt conflicted, smiling outwardly while feeling trapped inside.
Erika, thrilled for Kayla, had helped Harry with the proposal and agreed to be the maid of honor. However, the dynamic shifted when Erika confided in Kayla during a drive to a family gathering. Erika revealed that she had kissed a woman, realized she was gay, and wanted a divorce. This confession sparked unexpected feelings in Kayla, despite her attempts to suppress them.
As time went on, Kayla’s feelings for Erika deepened, leading her to avoid intimacy with Harry. At the end of September, while visiting Erika’s home, their connection culminated in a kiss. “It felt magical,” Kayla recalled, coming to the realization that she loved Erika, not her fiancé.
A week later, after becoming intimate with Erika, Kayla canceled her wedding with Harry, finally acknowledging her true feelings. Although initially stunned, Harry seemed resigned to the end of their relationship. The wedding was called off discreetly, without further questions from guests, and Kayla’s mother supported her decision.
With relief, Kayla let the wedding date pass, embracing her love for Erika. When Dan returned from a work trip in November, Erika informed him about her relationship with Kayla. Though devastated, Dan agreed to the divorce.
Erika reflected on her initial happiness with Dan, whom she met in university, but by the time she met Kayla, their relationship had begun to wane. Helping plan Kayla’s wedding made Erika realize her feelings for Kayla, especially after kissing another woman.
Now engaged, Kayla and Erika married in April during an intimate ceremony surrounded by family and friends. “Exchanging vows, I knew I was marrying my soulmate,” Kayla expressed, highlighting their joy and their plans for IVF to start a family.
Reflecting on her journey, Kayla is also writing a memoir to share her experiences.