When my dad got married for the third time, I was ten years old and trying to understand why adults pretended everything was perfectly normal. My stepbrother, who was six, seemed to be having the time of his life, mostly because he had secretly eaten two cupcakes before the ceremony even started.

The wedding was pretty and peaceful, with soft music, flowers everywhere, and everyone pretending this was the happiest day in history. The preacher got to the classic line, asking if anyone objected. The room went completely silent, and my dad looked as though he had finally figured life out.

Then, out of nowhere, my little stepbrother raised his hand very politely, like a student in class. Everyone stared. My dad looked confused and nervous. Leaning down, he whispered, trying not to panic, “Why are you objecting?”

My stepbrother just shrugged and said, “Because.”

No reason. No explanation. Just because. The entire room burst into laughter. My dad covered his face, the bride tried not to laugh too hard, and the preacher looked like he regretted his whole career choice. And just like that, my dad’s third wedding became unforgettable — not because of the vows or the fancy decorations, but because a six-year-old had more courage than all of us combined.