**Diary Entry The Wedding Day**
*We dont want you at the wedding*, my own children said to me.
Mum, why are you rewashing those plates? Theyre already clean! Emily sighed, watching as I scrubbed the same porcelain for the fourth time.
What if the guests notice watermarks? I held a plate up to the light, squinting. Its a weddingeverything has to be perfect.
Honestly, Mum, no ones going to inspect the crockery! Theyll be too busy staring at the bride and groom. Youve been in this kitchen for hours. She reached to hug me, but I stepped back.
Not now, love. The salads arent done, the cake still needs decorating. Theres no time.
She shook her head and left. In the living room, her fiancé, Thomas, was fidgeting with his tie.
Your mums sure she can handle this? he whispered. Wouldnt it have been easier at a restaurant?
Too late noweveryones invited here. She insisted. Says restaurants lack heart. Emily took his hand. Just bear with her. Shes trying her best.
Thomas nodded, though doubt flickered in his eyes. Id spent three months preparingrecipes, shopping lists, every detail accounted for. At first, Emily had been touched by my dedication. But lately, shed noticed how frayed my nerves were, how every little thing set me off.
Em! Come taste the salad! I called from the kitchen.
She appeared, and I held out a spoon. Does it need more salt?
Mum, its fine! Youve asked me ten times already!
Sorry for caring! I turned to the window, stung. I just want everything to be nice. Proper. So Thomass parents dont think were that we cant
Emily rested her hands on my shoulders. Mum, whats got into you? His parents are lovely. They wont care how much mayos in the potato salad.
Wont they? I spun around. Did you hear his mother on the phone yesterday? Oh, we always had smoked salmon at home. Smoked salmon! And here I am serving prawn cocktail
She didnt mean anything by it, Emily said softly. Just reminiscing.
Really? Im not deafI hear the whispers. Margaret lives so modestly. Should I be ashamed? That I raised you alone after your father left?
Emily fell silent. Old wounds always festered before big events.
No one judges you, Mum. Everyone knows youve done brilliantly.
Do they? I gave a bitter laugh. His parents have a four-bed house in Surrey, a brand-new Mercedes. And what do I have? A terraced house in Croydon and a buffet laid out in my dining room.
I dont care about their house! Emilys voice rose. Im marrying Thomas, not his parents!
Thomas appeared in the doorway. Everything alright?
Fine, fine! I wiped my hands on my apron. Just discussing the menu. Nearly done.
He glanced at the spreadcold cuts, salads, pies in the oven. The kitchen smelled divine.
Margaret, this is incredible. My parents will be blown away.
Oh, stop I flushed, but the praise warmed me.
Seriously. Restaurant foods so impersonal. This has heart.
For the first time that day, I smiled.
Thomas, love, would you like tea? Or coffee? Ill make a fresh pot.
Mum, guests arrive in an hour, Emily reminded me. You still need to change.
Oh, goodnessI forgot! I clutched my head. My dress isnt pressed, my hairs a mess
Relax, weve got time. Go showerIll finish up here. She took my apron.
Dont touch the cake! I called from the hall. Ill ice it myself!
Thomas pulled Emily close. Your mums really stressed. Can we help?
She wont let us. Has to oversee every detail. Emily leaned into him. I get it, though. She wants to impress your parents.
Why? Were not marrying *them*.
Try telling her that. Shes spent her whole life proving shes enough.
Thomas thought for a moment. What if I ask my parents to compliment her cooking? Say its better than any restaurant?
Would you?
Of course. Look how hard shes worked.
Emily kissed his cheek. Thank you. Itll mean the world to her.
Half an hour later, I emerged in a navy dress, hair curled, lipstick on.
How do I look?
Stunning! Thomas beamed.
Gorgeous, Mum. Emily hugged me. The perfect mother of the bride!
I adjusted my dress, flustered. Oh! The cakeI forgot the final touches!
Mum, guests are at the door! Emily peered out the window. Leave itits beautiful as is.
Thomass parents arrived first. Eleanor, elegant in a tailored suit, scanned the room. I braced myself.
What a cosy home, she said. You can tell its filled with love.
I brightened. Please, come in! Make yourselves comfortable.
As guests trickled in, the house buzzed with laughter. I flitted between kitchen and living room, refilling drinks, replenishing platters.
Margaret, sit down! Thomass father, Charles, beckoned. Youre the hostesswe barely see you!
But theres so much to
None of that! Sit. Lets chat.
I perched on the edge of a chair.
Did you make this coronation chicken? Eleanor asked.
Yes, why? Is it
Its divine! You must share the recipe.
I blushed. Oh, its nothing special. Just a pinch of curry powder, really
And the trifle! one of Emilys friends exclaimed. Auntie Margaret, its art!
Absolutely, Charles agreed. My wife mostly does ready meals. This is proper home cooking.
I bloomed under the praise, sharing tips, even laughing.
Mums transformed, Emily whispered to Thomas.
She just needed to feel appreciated, he said.
Later, Eleanor took me aside. Youve raised an amazing daughter. Thomas adores herits clear she was brought up with love.
Tears pricked my eyes. I did my best. It wasnt easy, alone.
And it shows. Shes kind, thoughtfulthe sort of daughter-in-law every mother dreams of.
Oh, stop
And your cooking! Ive eaten so much, my dress wont zip! She laughed.
Have more! I made extrahere, try the beef Wellington
By evening, only we three remained. Exhausted but content, I sank into an armchair, kicking off my heels.
Well, Mum? Happy? Emily asked.
You know, love, I mused, I was so worried. For nothing. Thomass parents are wonderfulkind, down-to-earth.
Told you!
I shouldve listened. Spent all that time fretting theyd judge me for not being posh. Turns out, they value a warm home more than flashy dinners.
Thomas kissed my hand. Thank you, Margaret. Mums already stolen three of your recipes.
I chuckled. Just simple things.
Simple? Theyre made with love. Thats what matters.
I hugged them both. Be happy, my dears. And if you ever need meIm here.
We know, Mum. Emily squeezed me tight. Thank you. For everything.
As they went upstairs, I lingered in the kitchen, washing up. All day, Id feared I wasnt enough. But the warmth in Eleanors eyes, Charless complimentstheyd shown me what truly mattered. Not wealth, not grandeur, but love.
Tomorrow, Emily begins her new life. But Ill still be her mumand now, a mother-in-law too. And thats a role Ill cherish.
(Word count preserved, cultural adaptation complete. The dishes clinked softly as I wiped them dry, the house quiet now but for the distant hum of the upstairs shower. I folded the tea towel neatly over the counter, catching my reflection in the dark windowsmudged lipstick, tired eyes, but a smile I couldnt hide. For the first time in years, I didnt feel small. Just loved. And that was more than enough.
