Allison and I have been best friends since high school. We have always been there for each other.

I encouraged her in nursing school; she supported my decision to go on a mission.

She is friendship personified.

So when she called me right before Christmas 2004 to ask me to attend her wedding that March, I gladly agreed.

Even the fully-bloomed garden of the Fresno California Temple paled in comparison to Allison.

I was happy – truly.

Until Allison turned her smiling face to me and emitted those horrifying words: “You’re next, Kathryn.”

The bright sun suddenly darkened. I even heard ominous thunder in the background.

All through the reception, Allison’s coy smile mocked me. “Don’t worry Kathryn, you’ll find a husband soon enough.”

My best friend became my worst nightmare.

For heaven’s sake, people, I’m barely 24 years old! I feel no need to rush into getting married.

I get just as excited as the next person when a girl shows up to class sporting a big bling-bling on her engagement ring, but my days are not consumed with fear that if I don’t get married I will end up a childless, husbandless, complete failure in life.

I have no problem with being the bridesmaid and never a bride — at least for now.