DEAR ABBY: I have been married for 15 years. My parents did not attend my wedding because my mother's job was more important -- so my father never walked me down the aisle.

My brother is now being married for the first time. It will be his fiancee's third trip to the altar. Her father died years ago and they have asked my father to walk her down the aisle without even considering how I might feel about it.

When I explained to Dad how hurt I feel, he didn't understand. But he told me he would not walk her down the aisle if it caused me pain. Now my brother and his fiancee are upset with me.

Abby, can a groom's father give away the woman his son is about to marry? Am I being selfish in suggesting she walk down the aisle by herself just as I did? -- RESENTFUL IN MICHIGAN

DEAR RESENTFUL: The answer to both of your questions is yes.


My two cents: OK, so parents couldn't be bothered to show up to their daughters wedding but they can walk another woman down the aisle. Maybe I'm as petty as the letter writer, but I would find this to be a very painful situation. In my opinion, Abby's advice (or real lack thereof) just seems stupid and cruel. I wonder if she was going for edgy here with the one-word answer.

How do you guys feel about this one?