I am the oldest of three sisters. Yet somehow, at my wedding 13+ years ago, guests from my husband’s side who had never met my sisters assumed, on seeing the three of us together, that I was the youngest. Considering that my baby sister was only 13 at the time, I didn’t exactly see this as a compliment, but it’s been something of a running joke ever since. (Though granted, she did look quite grown up in her bridesmaid dress, with hair and makeup befitting the occasion.)

Fast forward to 2007. My, how things change! As of yesterday, my baby sister is now a married woman herself. And my attitude about how old I look relative to my sisters has changed considerably. I have been teasing my sister for the past several months that my goal at her wedding is for people to still think I look the youngest. Mostly, my attempts at such levity were rewarded with dirty looks, and I never actually believed anyone would really say such a thing, but still I teased.

Then, on Friday night at the rehearsal dinner, I unexpectedly scored! A friend of my parents whom I had not seen in many years said the magic words when re-introduced to me. “You’re the oldest? You look the youngest.” In front of witnesses, even. Whether he meant it or was just buttering me up is irrelevant. It made my night, and naturally I summoned my sister right over to rub it in. She, of course, wanted to know how much I paid him to say that, but it was completely unsolicited. So it’s official. I still look the youngest. And this time, I’ll take it!

BUT… while I may (arguably) look the youngest, the bride was by far the most beautiful. Hands down. She looked radiant, and her wedding was lovely. The planned beach ceremony got rained out, but the happy couple handled the last minute change of plans well. Besides, everyone knows that rain on your wedding day is good luck. I predict they’ll have a blessed marriage.