My Daughter Wants My Brother to Walk Her Down the Aisle Instead of Me – I’m Heartbroken
My 25-year-old daughter is finally tying the knot, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’ve worked tirelessly throughout my life to ensure she had everything she needed and more. Seeing her so happy and reaching this milestone fills me with pride, and I’ve been eagerly counting down the days to her wedding.
But then, she dropped a bombshell.
When my daughter said she wanted my brother to walk her down the aisle instead of me, it hit me like a ton of bricks. “Why not me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She looked uncomfortable, shifting in her seat before finally saying, “It’s complicated, Dad.”
Confused and hurt, I turned to my brother, hoping he could shed some light on the situation. At first, he hesitated, clearly torn. But after a long silence, he finally admitted something shocking—something I never saw coming.
During my divorce years ago, my ex-wife had told our daughter the painful truth: I had cheated.
I felt my heart sink. My daughter had been carrying this resentment for years, and I had no idea. To her, my infidelity wasn’t just a betrayal of my marriage—it was a betrayal of our family, of her trust. And now, as she prepared to walk into a lifelong commitment of her own, she didn’t feel I deserved the honor of walking her down the aisle.
I was devastated.
Yes, I made mistakes. I regret them deeply. But those mistakes were between my ex-wife and me. They had nothing to do with my daughter—or so I thought. Now, I realize that in her eyes, my actions weren’t just about my marriage. They shaped the way she saw love, loyalty, and trust.
I don’t want this to damage the bond I have with my daughter, but I also don’t know how to fix it. Should I apologize, even after all these years? Should I try to explain myself? Or should I respect her wishes and simply accept that my past mistakes have already made their mark?
All I know is that I love my daughter more than anything, and I don’t want to lose her over something I can never undo.
What would you do in my situation? I would deeply appreciate your guidance.