When I was asked to be a “bridesman” by one of my dearest friends in the world, it felt as if I was in a dream sequence. Cloud Nine, if you will. A few months after she got engaged, my friend, Maria, popped the question to me and I was immeasurably honored. It’s one thing to be invited to someone’s nuptials but there’s an entirely different level of prestige in being asked to partake. For the next three years, pure joy lived in my head rent-free as the reality of supporting my sister on her big day crept closer and closer. Little did I know, being one of the supporting actors in her role of a lifetime would have an everlasting impact on my views of love. Below are some of the lessons that I learned, along the way.