Kayla Doody, 29, from Florida, explains why jilting her groom – and saying ‘I do’ to her maid of honor instead – was the best decision she’s ever made.
Walking down the aisle, I felt like a princess.
With my dad on my arm and my wedding dress floating around me, I’d never been happier.
Then, I saw my future wife waiting for me and my smile grew even bigger. Erika, 36, may have been my second engagement in six months, but there was no doubt in my mind she was my forever love.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was bullied at school about my appearance and my quiet, quirky personality, The Sun reports.
I never felt like I fitted in. While I dated boys, and even kissed a few girls to try to get attention from boys, none of it was serious.
My self-esteem was so low, I didn’t think I was good enough to be loved by anyone.
I met Harry* in September 2013, aged 18, when I started university in Houston.
Like me, he was shy and quiet. For years, we were friends, hanging around with the same group, but over time we grew closer, and in 2018 we became a couple.
I felt settled and comfortable, but I knew in my heart I wasn’t madly in love with Harry.
It felt more like companionship than what my friends had – they were so passionate about their partners. I didn’t feel jealous, though, as I still had low self-worth and I was just grateful for what I had – a man who loved me, even if I didn’t feel quite the same way about him.
Working as a personal trainer in December 2021, I became friends with a client, Dan*, and in November 2022 met his wife Erika. Within months, Erika and I were best friends, messaging daily and hanging out as a foursome with our partners.
In February 2023, I was out hiking with Harry when he proposed to me, dropping to one knee at the top of a rocky mountain and presenting me with a ring.
It was a surreal and confusing moment. I cared for Harry and I’d always wanted to be a bride, to have a special day where everyone could see that I had been chosen.
But, at the same time, I felt stuck, like Harry was my only option. I was smiling as I said “yes”, but inside I felt trapped, as if I was just making the best of things.
Erika was so happy for me, and revealed she’d helped Harry plan the proposal. I asked her to be my maid of honour and she agreed.
In late August, Erika and I were driving to my family home for a party, when she confessed to me that she’d kissed a woman. She’d realized she was gay and wanted a divorce from Dan.
My head was spinning. I was immediately jealous of this other woman, and suddenly realised I had feelings for Erika.
I tried to push those feelings away. However, after that conversation, there was a spark that hadn’t been there before. We kept making flirty jokes, and when we looked at each other it felt electric. I made excuses not to be intimate with Harry.
I realized I was in love – but not with my husband-to-be.
At the end of September, I nervously drove to Erika’s house. Dan was away with work for several months, and I just knew something was about to happen.
As we sat on the sofa watching a movie, Erika kissed me. It felt magical. I didn’t feel guilty about Harry or Dan, all I could think about was Erika.
We slept together for the first time a week later, and I knew she was The One – and that I couldn’t possibly marry Harry in three weeks’ time.
My heart was thumping. When I confessed I was in love with Erika and we wanted to be together, Harry was stunned and angry, but also appeared deflated, as if he knew there was no point trying to salvage our relationship.
I hated hurting him, but walking away, my biggest emotion was relief.
We haven’t spoken since that final conversation. I sent a short text to guests saying the wedding was cancelled, and thankfully, no one asked any questions.
I told my mom in person that the wedding was off, and she was so supportive – she told me to follow my heart and helped me cancel the venue and suppliers.
The date for my wedding came and went, and I felt relieved I hadn’t gone through with it. Now I was experiencing true love with Erika, I knew I should never have settled for companionship.
When Dan returned from his extended work trip in November, Erika told him that we were together. He was devastated, but agreed to the divorce.
In January, with her divorce complete, Erika hid the words: “Will you marry me?” during an escape-room activity we were doing with friends. I was ecstatic, and when I said “yes”, I meant it with all my heart.
We tied the knot in April at an intimate wedding venue filled with flowers, in front of 60 of our family and friends. Exchanging vows, I knew I was marrying my soulmate. I had no regrets, we were meant to be.
We now live in Florida and are blissfully happy and planning to have IVF and start a family. I have begun writing a memoir about my journey.
I want people to know that you deserve to be your true self and experience unconditional love. The journey there might be hard, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Erika says: “I met Dan at university, aged 22. Kind and handsome, he proposed in April 2011, we got married in December 2012, and for years were happy together. But by 2021, when I first met Kayla, we were already drifting apart.
Kayla was bubbly and friendly and, at first, I just wanted to be friends. But by the time Harry asked for my help with his proposal in January 2023, I’d developed a serious crush on her.
My jealousy grew as I helped plan her wedding. When Kayla tried on her dress, she looked so beautiful I had to control my face, worried she would see how I really felt.
Then, that August, I got very drunk and kissed a woman. It felt like I was meeting myself for the first time.
I knew I was gay and my marriage had to end. I was so nervous telling Kayla, but after that, the spark between us was undeniable.
Once she told Harry and cancelled their wedding, and I told Dan, I felt like I could breathe again. I never wanted to hurt Dan, but I couldn’t live a lie. Two months later, we were divorced.
I’ve received some negative comments about how our relationship began, but I try not to worry about what other people think, because being true to myself has made me the happiest woman – and wife – in the world.”
