I always thought the bond between my twin brother Dylan and me was unbreakable. But that belief shattered when I discovered I hadn’t been invited to his big engagement party — a lavish event with over 80 guests where everyone was told I “couldn’t make it.” I was crushed, realizing it wasn’t a mistake but an intentional exclusion. From that moment, I felt like an outsider in my own family.

When I confronted my parents and siblings, I was brushed off with excuses and silence. Even at Christmas and birthdays, no one acknowledged the hurt. The final blow came with Dylan’s wedding: I wasn’t in the wedding party, my girlfriend Megan wasn’t invited, and I wasn’t even assigned a seat at the family table. It was clear — I was no longer wanted.

So on the day of the wedding, I stayed home in Portland. When my mother called in a panic asking why I hadn’t shown, I told her calmly, “You never really wanted me there — you just didn’t want others noticing I was missing.” The silence on the other end confirmed it. That night, Megan held me as I realized the family I’d always fought to be part of had already let me go.

It still hurts — I miss the twin who once shared birthday cakes and secret forts with me. But Megan reminded me I hadn’t changed; they just stopped accepting the version of me who lived beyond their small world. I deserve to be loved for who I am now, not who they wish I’d stayed. And moving forward, I’ll give my love to those who truly want me in their lives.