Kayla Doody, 29, from Florida, explains why defying the groom and saying “I do” to the maid of honor instead was the best decision she ever made.
Walking down the aisle, I felt like a princess.
When my father held me in his arms and my wedding dress floated around me, I had never been so happy.
And my smile grew even wider when I saw my future wife waiting for me. Erika, 36, may have been my second engagement in six months, but there was no doubt in my heart that she was my forever love.
Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was bullied at school because of my appearance and quiet, quirky personality, The Sun reported.
Kayla Doody was married to a maid of honor. @mrskayladoody33124/Instagram
I went on dates with guys and kissed a few girls to try to get guys’ attention, but none of it was serious.
My self-esteem was very low and I didn’t think I was good enough to be loved by anyone.
I met Harry* in September 2013, when I was 18 years old and starting college in Houston.
Like me, he was shy and quiet. For years we were friends who hung out together in the same group, but over time we grew closer and became a couple in 2018.
I felt calm and comfortable, but deep down I knew I wasn’t madly in love with Harry.
It felt more like a companion than what my friend had – they were so passionate about their partners. But I still had low self-esteem and was jealous because I was just grateful for what I had, a man who loved me even though I didn’t feel exactly the same way about him. That never happened.
Unable to stop thinking about Erica, Doody leaves his fiancée. @mrskayladoody33124/Instagram
In December 2021, while working as a personal trainer, I became friends with a client, Dan*, and in November 2022, I met his wife Erica. Within a few months, Erica and I became best friends, texting each other every day, and playing foursomes with my partner.
In February 2023, while I was hiking with Harry, he got down on one knee at the top of a rocky mountain, presented me with a ring, and proposed.
It was a surreal and confusing moment. I cared for Harry and had always wanted to be his bride and have a special day where everyone could see that I had been chosen.
But at the same time, it felt like Harry was my only option. I smiled and said yes, but inside I felt trapped, like I was just taking advantage of it.
Erica was very happy for me and revealed that she had helped plan Harry’s proposal. I asked her to be my maid of honor and she agreed.
In late August, Erika and I were driving to my parents’ house to go to a party when Erika confessed to me that she had kissed a woman. She realized she was gay and wanted to divorce Dan.
My head is starting to feel dizzy. I immediately became jealous of this other woman and suddenly realized that I had feelings for Erica.
I tried to push those feelings away. But after that conversation, there was a spark that hadn’t existed before. We continued to make flirty jokes and felt electricity when we looked at each other. I made excuses to avoid getting intimate with Harry.
I realized that I was in love, but not with my future husband.
“I felt stuck and Harry was my only option. I smiled and said yes, but in my heart I felt like I was just doing my best, feeling trapped. “I felt like I was there,” she said. @mrskayladoody33124/Instagram
At the end of September, I nervously drove to Erika’s house. Dan had been away for a few months on business and I just knew something was about to happen.
We were sitting on the couch watching a movie and Erica kissed me. It felt like magic. I didn’t feel guilty about Harry or Dan, I was only thinking about Erica.
A week later we slept together for the first time, and I knew she was the one – and that it was impossible for me to marry Harry within three weeks. Ta.
My heart was pounding. When I confessed to Erica that I was in love with her and wanted to be with her, Harry was stunned and angry, but then deflated, as if he knew there was no point in trying to repair our relationship. It looked like there was.
I didn’t want to hurt him, but my biggest feeling as I walked away was relief.
We haven’t spoken since that last conversation. We sent a short text to our guests letting them know the wedding was cancelled, but thankfully no one asked any questions.
I directly told my mother that the wedding was cancelled. And my mother was very supportive. He told me to follow my heart and helped me with venue and supplier cancellations.
As the wedding day approached, I was relieved that things didn’t go as planned. Now that I have experienced true love with Erica, I realize that I should never settle for a relationship.
When Dan returned from an extended business trip in November, Erica told him we were together. He was shocked but agreed to the divorce.
The couple is settled and planning IVF. @mrskayladoody33124/Instagram
In January, after the divorce was finalized, Erica hid the words, “Will you marry me?” During an escape game I was playing with my friends. I was ecstatic and said “yes” wholeheartedly.
We got married in April in front of 60 family and friends in a cozy, flower-filled wedding venue. We exchanged vows and knew we were marrying our soul mates. I have no regrets, we were meant to be.
We are currently living in Florida, very happy and planning to undergo IVF and start a family. I started writing a memoir about my journey.
I want people to know that you are who you truly are and that you are worthy of experiencing unconditional love. The journey there may be tough, but it’s definitely worth it.
Erika says: “I met Dan in college. He was 22 years old. He was kind and handsome. He proposed in April 2011, we got married in December 2012, and we were happy together for many years. But in 2021, I… When I first met Kayla, we were already estranged.
At first I just wanted to be friends with Kayla because she was fun and friendly. But when Harry asked me to help him propose in January 2023, I had a serious crush on her.
My jealousy grew as I helped her plan her wedding. When Kayla tried on the dress, she looked so beautiful that I had to hold my face in fear that she would see how I really felt.
Then, in August of that year, I got drunk and kissed a woman. I felt like I was meeting myself for the first time.
I knew I was gay and that I had to end my marriage. I was so nervous to tell Kayla, but the spark between us was undeniable after that.
Once she told Harry and canceled the wedding, and I told Dan, I felt like I could breathe again. I didn’t want to hurt Dan, but I couldn’t live with a lie. Two months later we got divorced.
I received some negative comments about how our relationship started, but I try not to worry about what others think. Because being true to myself has made me the happiest woman and wife in the world. ”
