Happy Independence Day, Ya'll
...and now commences my bridesmaidenship at the expense of myself ever being a bride, no doubt.
The Bridesmaid
Sir John Everett Millais painted this, and it hangs in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, where I studied for a semester.
I used to go look at this painting.
Back in 1999.
I had a boyfriend at that time who had investments, insurance policies, an impending college degree, and other amenities that promised a proposal in the near future.
I used to go look at this painting.
Then one night, after he left, I wrote a letter to myself to read on the night before my wedding to whomever it would be.
I can't remember what it says. It's sealed. But it's something along the lines of a reminder of what sacrifices I had made to make room for the man I would be married the following morning.
The Millaise has become my malaise.
As my bridesmaid list gets checked off.
[x] Muriah
[ ] Maggie
[x] Joy
[x] Carrie Beth
[ ] Rosemary
The subject of this painting is worth an explanation. It depicts an old superstition that if a bridesmaid passes a piece of wedding cake through the wedding ring nine times, she will see a vision of her future lover. Her chastity is symbolized by the orange blossom at her breast and accentuated by her veil of orange hair.