<\/p>\n
I was on the porch when my wife, Linda, excitedly opened the mail.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid and Emily\u2019s wedding invitation is here!\u201d she said\u2014until she flipped the RSVP and froze at the handwritten note: \u201cLADIES \u2014 PLEASE WEAR WHITE, WEDDING DRESSES WELCOME!\u201d<\/p>\n
I called my old Coast Guard buddy, David, who revealed the shocking reason: Emily\u2019s mom, Dorothy, was planning to wear her wedding dress and steal the spotlight. Emily\u2019s clever plan? Ask everyone<\/em> to wear white so Dorothy wouldn\u2019t stand out.<\/p>\n Linda was thrilled\u2014she rummaged out her old satin gown. Soon, the guest list buzzed with excitement\u2014dusty dresses were dug up, consignment shops explored, vintage gowns found. On the wedding day, the chapel was a sea of white: satin, lace, tiaras\u2014even elbow\u2011length gloves.<\/p>\n Dorothy arrived in grand fashion\u2014white gown, tiara, sparkling train\u2014only to be met by twenty women in bridal attire. She froze. Then Emily made her entrance\u2014in deep red and gold, radiant and untouchable.<\/p>\n Dorothy said nothing. She sat stony-faced, then quietly slipped away. The rest of us danced, laughed, and celebrated\u2014cheering Emily\u2019s brilliant coup. At the bar, I called it \u201c4D chess.\u201d Emily grinned: \u201cRevenge stories taught me well.\u201d Linda toasted: \u201cTo the bride\u2014knowing when to wear red and when to raise hell.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"