A Little Girl’s Big Plan to Stop Her Mother’s Wedding
Nine-year-old Ruth had always been curious about why her mother didn’t have a father in her life. But when her mother told her she was going to get married again, Ruth’s feelings turned into something fierce—a deep dislike for the man her mom loved. Ruth believed all men were untrustworthy, just like the father who had left them long ago.
One morning, Ruth made a bold, secret plan to stop her mother’s wedding—and it all started with the wedding dress.
Susan’s Tough Journey: From Teenage Mom to Strong Woman
Susan Peterson was just sixteen years old when she found out she was pregnant. She thought her boyfriend, James, would be happy and ready to build a family together. But instead, James left her alone. “I don’t want to take care of you or the baby,” he told Susan coldly before walking away.
Susan felt heartbroken and scared. She was an orphan herself and had no one else to turn to. But she refused to give up. She worked hard, finished school, and got a good job. Most importantly, she raised Ruth all by herself, pouring her love and strength into her daughter every day.
Ruth’s Confusion and Fear About Men
Growing up, Ruth often asked her mother, “Mom, why don’t I have a dad?” Susan answered honestly, “Ruth, your father didn’t want to be with us. But that’s okay. You and I can be happy without him.”
Ruth nodded but inside, she felt something grow—a fear that any man in their lives might hurt or leave them. So, when Susan started dating Jeremy, Ruth didn’t want him around. She didn’t trust him one bit.
When Susan brought Jeremy home for dinner one night, Ruth quickly scooted over to sit next to her mom—making sure Jeremy couldn’t sit beside Susan.
After Jeremy left, Susan sat beside Ruth and said gently, “Honey, Jeremy and I care for each other. We want to get married. But we want you to know first.”
Ruth’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t like him, Mommy,” she said. “All men are bad. He’s like Dad. He will leave you, and you will be sad.”
Susan hugged her tight. “No, Ruth. Jeremy isn’t like that. He loves you both. Mommy loves him, just like I love you.”
Ruth sighed, “Okay, Mommy. If you like him, he must be nice. But I still don’t want you to marry him.”
Susan smiled softly. “We’re not rushing. The wedding is still a month away. Jeremy wants to spend more time with you, okay?”
Ruth said quietly, “Okay, Mommy.”
Ruth’s Secret Plan to Save Her Mother
Even after spending time with Jeremy, Ruth’s heart stayed closed. She thought Jeremy was pretending to be kind just to marry her mother and then leave them.
So, Ruth made a plan.
She overheard Susan say on the phone that her wedding dress would arrive around 11 a.m. The next day, Ruth told her mother she’d be playing in the garden. But as soon as the package arrived, Ruth snuck out with the wedding gown wrapped carefully in a big bag.
She ran to the nearby salon, where she hoped someone would buy the dress and stop the wedding.
Ruth Tries to Sell the Wedding Dress
At the salon, Ruth stood in front of the receptionist, holding the large parcel. “Hi, my name is Ruth. Can you please buy this dress from me?” she asked, her voice shaking but determined.
The receptionist blinked in surprise. “You’re very young. Why do you have a wedding dress? Are you getting married?”
“No, it’s my mommy’s dress. If you don’t buy it, I can’t stop her wedding. I don’t want Mommy to be sad.”
Just then, the salon manager, Mrs. Anderson, came in. She recognized Ruth immediately. “Ruth, what are you doing here? Where’s your mom?”
Ruth looked up, scared. “Can you please buy this dress? I don’t want Mommy to get married.”
Mrs. Anderson exchanged a glance with the receptionist, confused but concerned. “Alright, Ruth. I’ll buy the dress. But would you like some cookies and milk while we talk?”
Ruth shook her head. “No, I need to get home before Mommy finds out.”
Mrs. Anderson smiled kindly. “You can tell me why you’re doing this. I won’t tell your mother.”
Ruth’s face softened. “Really?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Anderson said. “Tell me.”
So Ruth told her everything—the fear, the anger, and why she wanted to stop the wedding.
The Wedding is Canceled — and Ruth Goes Missing
After Ruth left, Mrs. Anderson called Susan right away and told her everything. The wedding dress was gone, and Ruth was nowhere to be found.
Susan was frantic. She searched the neighborhood, called neighbors, and nearly cried with worry. Jeremy was also very upset.
“Where could she be?” Susan whispered, tears streaming. “I have to find her.”
They even talked about calling the police if Ruth wasn’t found soon.
Ruth Returns — and the Truth Comes Out
When Ruth finally came home, Susan was angry and scared. “What happened to you, Ruth? Everyone was waiting at the church, but I had to cancel the wedding because you disappeared! Jeremy is so disappointed.”
Ruth hung her head. “I was just playing, Mommy… but I took the dress because I didn’t want you to be sad.”
Susan’s eyes filled with tears. “Ruth, you scared me. I don’t know what to say…”
She locked herself in her room, needing time to calm down.
Ruth felt awful. “I’m sorry, Mommy,” she whispered, knocking softly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
But Susan didn’t answer.
Susan Collapses — Jeremy and Ruth Race to the Hospital
Later that evening, Jeremy arrived. Ruth opened the door, tears in her eyes.
Jeremy knocked on Susan’s door. When there was no answer, he gently broke it open and found Susan lying unconscious on the floor.
He scooped her up in his arms and ran to the hospital with Ruth close behind.
The doctors said Susan had collapsed from stress.
Jeremy stayed by Susan’s side all night. When he left briefly, he told Ruth, “Stay here with your mom, okay?”
Ruth nodded, her heart heavy with guilt. “I’m sorry, Mommy,” she whispered. “I won’t do anything to make you sad again.”
Healing and New Beginnings
The next day, Jeremy explained everything to Susan and asked her to forgive Ruth. “She’s just a little girl, scared and confused. We can take it slow.”
Susan nodded. “Okay.”
When Ruth visited her mother, Susan hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry for yelling, honey. Mommy loves you so much.”
Ruth smiled, “I’m sorry too, Mommy. Can we go home now?”
Jeremy gently said, “Not yet. Mommy needs to rest. We’ll visit again tomorrow.”
A Surprise Dress — and a New Family
The next day, Ruth saw a beautiful dress waiting for her. “Wow, Mommy! You remembered my fancy dress competition tomorrow?”
Susan smiled. “I’m sorry I can’t take you, but Jeremy will.”
At the competition, Ruth wore the dress and won first prize! When she went back to thank her mother, Susan surprised her.
“I didn’t make the dress, honey,” she said. “Jeremy did. He stayed up all night sewing it for you.”
Ruth’s eyes shone. “Really?”
“Yes! When Jeremy was a boy, he helped his mom make dresses. You should thank him.”
Ruth hugged Jeremy tightly. “Thank you, Dad. I know you’ll never leave us. I love you.”
Jeremy’s eyes filled with tears. “Susan… she just called me Dad.”
From that day on, Ruth and Jeremy grew closer than ever.
Susan felt so happy. “Finally, Ruth trusts you. We’ll get married at the end of the month.”
And the one who was most excited about the wedding? Ruth herself.
What We Can Learn from Ruth and Susan’s Story
Sometimes, kids need time to open their hearts. Jeremy understood Ruth’s fears and took things slowly—and it worked.
Moving on from a painful past is hard, but not impossible. Ruth learned that not all men leave or hurt people. Some, like Jeremy, love and protect their families.
And most importantly, love and patience can heal even the deepest wounds.