Wedding Narrative Essay

It’s 2011 in Los Vegas with my father’s side of the family. We are at the Wedding Bells Chapel celebrating my Aunt getting remarried. This was my first time meeting my dad’s side of the family at the age of fifteen. I was nervous and very awkward around the people I called my family but have never experienced the bond that comes with that title. I was nervous because I was afraid of not being accepted. This fear developed not only because I had never spoken to or seen these people, but because I was not born to their standards. My mother and father were not married when I was conceived bringing discomfort to the fact of my existence which tampered with the relationship I never got the chance to develop when I was younger. With all these fears

We drove six hours to Los Vegas and finally made it to our hotel. Our hotel was surrounded by many other hotels with a view of a shopping center outside of our window. The sun was setting once we arrived so the view of the lights from our surroundings were colorful and pleasing to stare at. The next morning we walked around the shopping center and eventually chose a spot to meet up with my aunt and her fiance. We decided to meet up in front of this shop that sold many souvenirs with an entrance to go ziplining across the way. I was so nervous that I neglected to notice my dad was feeling nervous as well. The moment finally arrived when we saw my aunt and her fiance walking towards us smiling brightly. My father began to walk forward and met up with my aunt to hug her tightly. I understood he was happy to see his sister but it wasn’t until that moment it clicked that my father and my aunt haven’t seen each other in over twenty years. My father neglected to return to Hawaii for a visit because of his own reasonings but the way my aunt was smiling made me realize that she was probably hurt and upset with my father for barely keeping in contact, but she loved him

But when it comes to family, their love is always unconditional. My father’s absence in my life and in my aunt’s life would never make us love him any less. Just like my aunt would never reject me because father and mother weren’t married when they decided to have me. Until this day I resented my father’s side of the family because I believed they wanted nothing to do with me. But the way my emotions reacted once I found out I was going to meet them made me realize I was hiding my fear with anger. This photo is a reminder to me that blood is thicker than water and no matter what the circumstances are, family’s love is