My twin brother Dylan and I were inseparable growing up\u2014he was outgoing and athletic, I was shy and nerdy. But everything changed after college. While I moved to Portland and built a life with my girlfriend Megan, Dylan stayed home in Arizona.<\/p>\n
When Dylan got engaged, I was excited to celebrate, but he never invited me to his engagement party. Later, I found out he threw a huge party with family and friends\u2014everyone except me. My family made excuses, but it was clear I was purposely excluded.<\/p>\n
Attempts to talk about it were ignored or brushed off. At a family birthday, my sister said, \u201cYou moved too far away; you\u2019re not really family anymore.\u201d I wasn\u2019t even given a plus-one for Megan at Dylan\u2019s wedding, and my place in the family felt erased.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t attend the wedding, and when my mom called, I told her how hurt I was being left out and that I stayed home with Megan, who actually values me. The fallout was painful, but Megan reminded me I hadn\u2019t changed\u2014they just didn\u2019t want to accept who I became.<\/p>\n
I miss my family but am learning to let go and move forward with those who truly see me.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My twin brother Dylan and I were inseparable growing up\u2014he was outgoing and athletic, I was shy and nerdy. But everything changed after college. While I moved to Portland and built a life with my girlfriend Megan, Dylan stayed home in Arizona. When Dylan got engaged, I was excited to celebrate, but he never invited…<\/p>\n