When the wedding invitations arrived, I was determined to put aside my unease. This was Daniel’s big day, and I wanted nothing to taint it. Lucas was thrilled when he was asked to be the ring bearer.

He practiced carrying the little satin pillow with the seriousness of a soldier, his chest puffed out, wanting to make his uncle proud. Seeing his excitement melted away some of my worries.

The day of the wedding arrived bright and golden, the kind of late-summer afternoon that feels like a blessing. The ceremony was held in a sprawling garden, with archways of roses and lanterns strung from tree to tree.

Guests gathered in their finest clothes, the air buzzing with anticipation. Lucas looked handsome in his tiny suit, and when I bent down to adjust his bow tie, he whispered, “I’m going to do perfect, Mom. You’ll see.”