I cheated on my groom-to-be with my bridesmaid – our first kiss was magical

KAYLA Doody, 29, from Florida, explains why turning down her groom – and saying ‘yes’ to her maid of honor instead – was the best decision she ever made.

As I walked down the aisle I felt like a princess.

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With my father on my arm and my wedding dress floating around me, I had never been happier.

Then I saw my future wife waiting for me and my smile grew even bigger. Erika, 36, may have been my second engagement in six months, but I had no doubt that she was my forever love.

Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was bullied at school because of my appearance and my quiet, quirky personality.

I never felt like I belonged. Although I dated boys and even kissed a few girls to get boys’ attention, it wasn’t all serious.

My self-esteem was so low that I thought I wasn’t good enough to be loved by anyone.

I met Harry* in September 2013, aged 18, when I was attending college in Houston.

Like me, he was shy and quiet. For years we were friends and hung out with the same group, but over time we became closer and in 2018 we became a couple.

I felt settled and comfortable, but deep in my heart I knew I wasn’t deeply in love with Harry.

It felt more like companionship than what my friends had – they were so passionate about their partners. I didn’t feel jealous, though, because I still had low self-esteem and I was just grateful for what I had: a man who loved me even if I didn’t quite feel the same way about him.

In December 2021, I was working as a personal trainer, befriended a client, Dan*, and in November 2022, I met his wife Erika. Within months, Erika and I were best friends, messaging daily and hanging out as a foursome with our partners.

In February 2023, I was walking with Harry when he asked me to marry him, fell on one knee at the top of a rocky mountain and presented me with a ring.

It was a surreal and confusing moment. I cared about Harry and I always wanted to be a bride, a special day where everyone could see that I had been chosen.

‘Head turned’

But at the same time I felt stuck, as if Harry was my only option. I smiled as I said yes, but inside I felt trapped, like I was only making the best of it.

Erika was so happy for me and revealed that she had helped Harry plan the proposal. I asked her to be my maid of honor and she agreed.

At the end of August, Erika and I were driving to my parents’ house for a party when she confessed to me that she had kissed a woman. She realized she was gay and wanted a divorce from Dan.

My head was spinning. I was immediately jealous of this other woman and suddenly realized that I had feelings for Erika.

We kept making flirty jokes, and when we looked at each other, it felt electric

Kayla

I tried to push those feelings away. After that conversation, however, there was a spark that hadn’t been there before. We kept making flirty jokes, and when we looked at each other, it felt electric. I made excuses not to be intimate with Harry.

I realized that I was in love, but not with my husband-to-be.

At the end of September I nervously drove to Erika’s house. Dan was away from work for several months and I just knew something was going to happen.

While we were sitting on the couch watching a movie, Erika kissed me. It felt magical. I didn’t feel guilty about Harry or Dan, all I could think about was Erika.

‘The date for my wedding arrived and I felt relieved that I had not gone through with it’

A week later we slept together for the first time, and I knew she was the One – and that I couldn’t possibly marry Harry in three weeks.

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When I heard myself say to Erika, “I’m going to cancel the wedding,” I felt a wave of relief and panic. But she didn’t try to discourage me. We both knew I had to do it.

The next day I sat down with Harry and told him I needed time to think about our relationship, but I didn’t say why. He was shocked and upset, but agreed to give me space.

A week later – and a fortnight before our wedding, during which I stayed with Erika, still under the guise that we were friends – I met Harry in a restaurant.

‘Follow your heart’

My heart pounded. When I confessed that I was in love with Erika and that we wanted to be together, Harry was stunned and angry, but he also seemed deflated, as if he knew there was no point in trying to save our relationship.

I hated hurting him, but when I walked away, my biggest emotion was relief.

We haven’t spoken since that last conversation. I sent a quick text to the guests saying the wedding was canceled, and luckily no one asked any questions.

I personally told my mother that the wedding was off, and she was so supportive, telling me to follow my heart and helping me cancel the venue and vendors.

The date for my wedding came and went, and I felt relieved that I hadn’t gone through with it. Now that I was experiencing true love with Erika, I knew I should never have settled for company.

When Dan returned from his long work trip in November, Erika told him we were together. He was devastated, but agreed to the divorce.

In January, with her divorce finalized, Erika hid the words, “Will you marry me?” during an escape room activity we did with friends. I was ecstatic, and when I said yes, I meant it with all my heart.

We got married in April at an intimate wedding venue full of flowers, in front of 60 of our family and friends. When I exchanged vows, I knew I was marrying my soulmate. I had no regrets, we were meant to be.

We now live in Florida and are blissfully happy and plan to undergo IVF and start a family. I have started writing a memoir about my journey.

I want people to know that you deserve to be your true self and experience unconditional love. The journey there can be tough, but it is definitely worth it.

Erika says: “I met Dan in college, 22 years old. Friendly and personable, he proposed in April 2011, we married in December 2012 and were happily together for many years. But in 2021, when I first met Kayla, we were already drifting apart.

I knew I was gay and that my marriage had to end

Kayla

Kayla was cheerful and friendly and at first I just wanted to be friends. But by the time Harry asked for my help with his proposal in January 2023, I had fallen seriously in love with her.

My jealousy grew when I helped plan her wedding. When Kayla tried on her dress, she looked so beautiful that I had to control my face, afraid she would see how I really felt.

Then in August I got very drunk and kissed a woman. It felt like I was meeting myself for the first time.

I knew I was gay and that my marriage had to end. I was so nervous to tell Kayla, but afterward the spark between us was undeniable.

When she told Harry and canceled their wedding, and I told Dan, I felt like I could breathe again. I never wanted to hurt Dan, but I couldn’t live a lie. Two months later we were divorced.

I have received some negative comments about how our relationship started, but I try not to worry about what other people think because being true to myself has made me the happiest woman – and wife – in the world.”

Follow Kayla on Instagram @Mrskayladoody33124.

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