My mother-in-law offered me $10,000 to walk away from her son at the altar — I accepted the money, but the surprise guest I brought to the ceremony made her scream in front of 200 people.

Some people think the biggest test of love is making it to the altar. I learned that sometimes the real test begins long before the wedding march ever starts.

The rain came down in silver sheets the morning I met Ryan, who was two years my senior. I was 23, a first-year grad student making my way to freshman orientation. I was soaked through my cheap continue reading …