At 73, I had one last dream: to see my granddaughter, Lily, walk down the aisle in a beautiful dress, surrounded by family and friends. I had saved every penny, sacrificing my own comfort, to give her the wedding of her dreams. It was a significant amount, $38,000, but she was my princess, and I wanted her to have the best.

For the past year, I had been deeply involved in the wedding planning. We picked out the dress together, sampled different cake flavors, and discussed flower arrangements. I was filled with joy, knowing I was playing a part in making her special day perfect.

But that dream was shattered one morning with a single message in our family group chat. Lily had eloped. No grand celebration, no family gathering, nothing. I felt a pang of betrayal. She let me believe I’d be part of her special day, but instead, she chose to run off without a word.

I couldn’t believe it. Lily had always been the apple of my eye, and I worshipped the ground she walked on. My first thought, after the initial shock, was the $38,000 I had given her. Where did all that money go if there was no wedding? I needed to know.

When I finally got hold of her, she was hesitant but eventually told me the truth. She and her husband had used the money to fund a year-long travel adventure around the world. She excitedly explained how they had always dreamed of seeing exotic places and experiencing different cultures. They had already been to Thailand, Italy, and Australia, with plans to continue to other destinations.

I was crushed. My heart ached not just from the financial loss but from the realization that my granddaughter, whom I had adored and trusted, could disregard my feelings so completely. She apologized, saying she didn’t want to hurt me, but she and her husband felt that eloping and traveling was the right choice for them.

I questioned if I ever truly knew my granddaughter. Her decision felt like a slap in the face. The money, while significant, wasn’t the main issue. It was the fact that she had led me to believe I’d be a part of her wedding day, only to exclude me entirely.

Now, I sit here, wondering where I went wrong. I still love Lily, but our relationship will never be the same. Trust, once broken, is hard to mend. My heart aches for the bond we used to share, and I can only hope that one day she will understand the depth of my disappointment and hurt.