A little backstory I, (34 m) and my ex (32F) were in a relationship for a little over 18 months, during this time I was involved in a car crash that left me out of work for a good chunk of our relationship and I can honestly say my ex Abby, (fake name)was my rock during the entire ordeal. The problem came when I developed an addiction to the pain medications I was prescribed. The addiction quickly became our major issue in the relationship and the final straw for her was seeing me spiral and eventually overdose. I woke up in the hospital to her crying over my bed telling me she couldn't do it anymore and said she was leaving me.

The pain in her eyes as she walked away broke my heart and the shame of what I had become and where it got me was the deciding factor of me wanting to get clean.

As of a month or so I've been clean for over 2 years now and got a job working at a good friends bakery, I never reached out to my Abby out of fear of facing her and eventually I got word from her brother (who I had worked with as a fire fighter before my accident) that she had moved out of state for work. One morning in walks my Abby with her fiance as I am about to find out and she recognizes me immediately, I was mortified. As they walk up to the counter all I can think about is trying to explain why I'm here and having to face my shame all over again; but no, her only concern was if I was well.

I take my break and the three of us talk for a while and I can say with complete honesty that these two are perfect for each other and I couldn't be happier for them. What threw me for a loop was when the subject of the wedding came up the two of them seemed genuinely curious if I'd like to attend. I am currently in a relationship and said I'd need to confirm with her before saying anything, I do still care for her but the two of us have obviously moved on. My current girlfriend thinks attending would be a good idea for closure sake and the two of us have been in a very good place and maybe this might be my cue to pop the question as well.

The friction comes from her family, namely her brother. who I worked with when I was still a firefighter. I can't say I blame him after what I did to his sister and the two of us have grown apart because of it, but he's insistent that not only do i not come to the wedding but that I cut all ties all together. I'd like to remain friends with him and Abby, I met her through him, and I'd hate to miss out on something this important to Abby and her fiance, especially since he and I have recently realized how much of our own emotional well being is tied to how well the Penguins do in the NHL season.