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There was no sign of forced entry, so investigators always felt the crime was perpetrated by someone Mary would have willingly let into her home.

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Try your best to get along with the other bridesmaids. You don’t have to be best friends with them. You don’t have to keep in touch with them once the wedding is over. But while you’re planning for the big day, try your best not to butt heads with the rest of the wedding party.

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Invite your bridal party to get together over some cold brews at Starbucks — but make sure you’re the one to grab their orders when their names are called. While they aren’t paying attention, slip a pen out of your purse and add ‘bridesmaid’ and ‘maid of honor’ beneath their names.

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Is no one going to bring this up? Are we just not going to discuss this? No? Fine, I will.

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Here’s to you guys… well, girls! I hope that concert Facebook creepily just let me know you went to was the best one yet. I hope the dog our friend told me you just bought wasn’t just a comfort thing to get over your ex. I hope that new job I saw you got really is everything you dreamed of.

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There’s no doubt that our society still sends women the message that they aren’t truly successful unless they get married. And I honestly cannot think of a more dangerous lie to tell or to believe.

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Everyone wants to be her—until they become her: the maid of honor

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Each and every one of us is a beautiful, complicated mess.