The first arranged marriage I witnessed in the church was a surprise.

The party was prepared behind closed doors and no one was told what was going on. A select few were invited to come.

The decor reminded me of fluffy white clouds. And voila, the big surprise was revealed—two grooms and two brides walking down the aisle.

I hadn’t expected the pairings at all. They hadn’t even acted like friends before. Two Korean girls married off to two Latino boys. I wondered if they were really happy behind their smiling faces.

And I was a little jealous because of Thomas. Would the church ever arrange a marriage for us? I resented having to wait for them to choose for me.

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Most marriages in the church were arranged. I know people who were married against their will. One was even forced to marry their abuser.