Good news, for once. Jennifer Wilbanks, the 32 year-old Duluth, Georgia woman who went missing just a few days before her wedding, has turned up alive and well with a new hairstyle in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ms. Wilbanks, whose disappearance set off a nationwide search, originally told police that she had been abducted, but later recanted and admitted that she had gotten cold feet and “needed some time alone.” She called her fiance, John Mason (who had become a primary suspect in the criminal investigation), from a pay phone on Friday and told him that she had been abducted while jogging three days earlier. Of course, her family, who believed that all of the media coverage had gotten to the kidnappers, was filled with joy and relief that she had turned up alive and safe, but they went inside and drew the blinds after Ms. Wilbanks changed her story. Thus far, no criminal charges have been filed.

Melinda Larson, a friend of the couple, who had planned to attend the wedding told CNN, “Having cold feet is a joy compared to what the alternative might have been.” Indeed, this is good news, because so many stories like this one end with the discovery of a corpse, a manhunt and an arrest followed by a headline-dominating murder trial reported in a lurid fashion that is intended to bring out the voyeur in all of us for a ratings shares contest — and the other good news is that we’ve been spared all of that.

Ms. Larson also said she thought the bride-to-be had no idea her disappearance would draw so much attention, “Sometimes things take on a life of their own, just like weddings,” she said. Ms. Wilbanks is truly blessed to have such a kind friend, but come on, what planet are these people from? Since when can an attractive upper-middle class woman disappear under any circumstances without instigating a media frenzy?

Now, I can easily find it in my heart to forgive Ms. Wilbanks for getting cold feet, running away, causing her fiance to be suspected of having done something terrible to her and scaring her family, friends and a lot of concerned strangers half to death — but I did not make the arrangements for a lavish wedding to which 600 guests were invited to witness a ceremony that was to feature 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen. I know it is crass but I do have to wonder if they’ll be able to get any of their deposits back now.

In the meantime, stay tuned because these things always take on a life of their own, just like news stories about missing persons.