I never thought I’d cry at my stepson Nathan’s wedding. His fiancée’s words stung: “Only real moms sit in front.” Relegated to the back, I watched quietly. But Nathan turned and said six words that changed everything.
I met Nathan at 6, shy and small, on my third date with his father, Richard. Handing him a paleontology book, I saw beyond just a child. He slept with it under his pillow for weeks.
Building trust took time. I didn’t force affection. When Richard proposed, I asked Nathan’s permission while baking cookies. “Will you still make cookies if you’re my stepmom?” he asked, licking batter. I promised I would.
Over years, I gave Nathan stability, not just placating him. His wedding day hurt, but those six words—he saw me as family. From the back row, I realized our bond, built on respect and cookies, was real.
