Family gatherings were the worst for Lara, especially since her sister, Emily, began to make fun of her love life, or lack thereof. Determined to sit through her father’s birthday dinner, Lara decides to hire a boyfriend for the night. Little did she know that a romantic comedy would play out.
I love my family, but family gatherings used to be a nightmare for me. Every single time we got together, my sister Emily would find some way or the other to poke fun at my single life.
Last Thanksgiving, she took it too far and even set a place at the table for my “imaginary boyfriend,” complete with a hand-drawn face on a napkin. Everyone around the table laughed while I forced a smile.
“It’s funny, Lara!” she would say whenever I brought up the incident.
It was anything but funny.
Now, my father’s birthday is coming up, and of course, it was to be celebrated with a family dinner.
“There’s no way I can sit through another one of those events with my family,” I told my friend, Kate, when we met for coffee.
“I’m telling you now, Emily probably has something up her sleeve already,” I grumbled.
“Then just hire someone out for the night!” Kate chuckled, adding sugar to her coffee.
“Hire a man?” I exclaimed.
“Yes! My sister did it through an agency. She didn’t want to go to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding by herself, so she found the agency. Look, it’s all above board and the guys do exactly what you need them to do.”
“It’s not… sleazy?” I asked, trying to think of a better word.
“No, Lara,” she giggled. “And you know my sister. She’s so prim and proper! She wouldn’t have gone ahead with it if she didn’t think that everything was legitimate.”
Which is how I ended up hiring a date to the family gathering. I found Jake through the same agency that Kate’s sister used. He was charming, easy to talk to, and seemed to understand exactly what I needed.
We met a few times before the dinner to get our story straight, because the last thing I wanted was Emily to get wind of something fishy.
“So, the story is that we met at a mutual friend’s party, hit it off over their dog, and have been dating for three months,” Jake said, grinning. “Sounds about right.”
“Look, any story involving myself and a dog are winners,” I replied, opening our Chinese takeout for dinner.
“And I’m an architect with a passion for cooking, right?” he confirmed.
It Turns Out Princess Catherine Had a Second Wedding Dress, and Here’s the Reason
In 2011, Catherine, Princess of Wales, wore a second stunning wedding dress to celebrate her marriage to Prince William. But only 300 guests saw it.
Thirteen years ago, Kate Middleton captivated the world as she walked down the aisle with her father, wearing a breathtaking wedding gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
While her first dress made global headlines, Kate also wore a second dress at a private evening reception. According to a royal expert, this dress reflected how she truly wanted to express herself. Kate chose the British McQueen brand for its craftsmanship and respect for traditional workmanship.
The Palace stated at the time that she wanted a gown that combined tradition and modernity with the artistic vision of Alexander McQueen. The first dress, made of elegant French Chantilly and English Cluny lace, cost a staggering £250,000 and became an iconic symbol of her wedding day. However, her second dress, though less publicized, was just as special.
Stylist and royal fashion expert Miranda Holder explained that some royals change into a second wedding dress after the ceremony. This allows them to leave behind formalities and fully express themselves. Speaking to The Express, she said that having a second dress allows brides to show who they really are and how they want to feel after the formal ceremony and official photos.
Kate’s second look, while still formal, was simpler and more relaxed. Holder described it as “simple and sweet,” with a “very pretty” cardigan, but noted that Kate didn’t seem to have the chance to fully relax.
Which dress do you prefer? Here’s where you can find the secret message Princess Catherine hid in her look during her first public appearance after cancer treatment.
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