It was Valentine’s Day.
A secret day.
Today, she would marry him.
At 23, she knows what she wants.
A break-up. Secrets withheld.
“If you love me, you’ll marry me."
A cream silk dress. Hope.
Angry driving to Lake Tahoe.
Pretend flowers to hide tissues.
A view of the lake at sunset.
Tears flowing as she walked toward him.
Secret worry. A wish to stop everything.
A minister. A photographer. Empty seats.
Bright blue eyes on a wet red face.
A man in a suit keeping a secret.
Vows. A poem. Forever.
Newly married. Love misplaced.
The cheater found out.
Secrets revealed. Anger expressed.
“Get out." Police called. Done.
Years of secret sadness.
More of learning to love… herself.
At 35, she wears the dress again.
This time, to dance all night.
She glows in a dress that caused her tears.
She shows up with a new light.
Hope has returned. Love alive within.
She leaves the dress behind.
With her secret past.
…and loves again.