When my cousin was getting married, they sent out a ‘save the date’ before the actual invites

As the wedding date neared, I messaged my cousin to confirm my invite, worried it was lost. She revealed they’d switched to a small Vegas wedding due to budget constraints, inviting only 10 people. A week later, she canceled Vegas for a Hawaii destination wedding, surprising me since it didn’t scream “tight budget.” She explained her fiancé’s aunt owned a Maui resort and offered to host for free, covering only flights. The guest list expanded slightly but stayed intimate. I was still invited.

The invite arrived, stunning but rushed—RSVP was due in two weeks, the wedding a month later. My cousin was unusually quiet, unlike her usual social media buzz. At the Maui resort, she confided the real reason: her fiancé’s aunt had terminal cancer and wanted to host their wedding as a final gift. The rushed, beautiful beach ceremony was filled with love and gratitude, a reminder to cherish fleeting moments with loved ones. Life’s unpredictable—tell someone you love them today.