Determined to find the truth, I proposed a plan. At the next dinner, Megan would prepare the meal, but I’d claim I made it. Hesitant at first, she eventually agreed. That evening, I proudly announced, “I cooked everything tonight.”
The response was a stark contrast: raves of “best pasta ever” and “perfect chicken.” Even my mom, who had been Megan’s harshest critic, praised every bite. When I revealed Megan had actually cooked the meal, the room fell silent, guilt written across their faces.
That night, we made a decision. “You don’t deserve this treatment,” I told Megan. We stopped hosting the dinners and skipped the next few altogether. When my mom called to ask why, I told her the truth: “You’ve disrespected Megan for no reason, and I won’t tolerate it.”
Eventually, my sister Gloria admitted what I suspected: my mom and Angela had never approved of Megan, seeing her as “too different” and not “family enough.” It was a painful realization, but it solidified my choice to prioritize my wife’s well-being.
Instead of clinging to a toxic tradition, Megan and I created new ones, filled with love and respect. Standing by her taught me that family isn’t about tradition—it’s about valuing the people who bring meaning and joy to your life.
Did I make the right decision?