My in-laws were used to pushing me around without any consequences. But when they messed with my birthday, my husband stood up for me in the most chivalrous way! He made them regret ever messing with us!
I’ve always tried to be the kind of daughter-in-law who doesn’t stir the pot. Smile, nod, and keep the peace, that was my motto. Even when things clearly crossed the line. But when my in-laws went too far, they realized that even I have limits.
When my husband Adam’s mom, Claire, “accidentally” wore a white beaded gown to our wedding, strapless, mermaid cut, I smiled through gritted teeth. I laughed it off and said, “You look lovely.”
When they forgot to include me in the family Christmas card last year and sent it to over a hundred of their closest friends, I blamed their behavior on the icy roads and said, “They were probably stressed by the traveling and just forgot me in their distress.”
Even when they showed up at our secluded honeymoon cabin in Vermont “for a surprise visit just to say hi,” with an overnight bag in hand, I smiled and welcomed them with cocoa and small talk.
“Why,” you ask? Well, it’s quite simple, really. It’s because Adam is everything they are not! He’s kind, thoughtful, and deeply aware. My husband is the best man I’ve ever met, so I told myself they couldn’t be all bad. They made him, after all.
Right?
Boy, how wrong I was!
I told myself that… until this year’s birthday dinner.
I was turning thirty-five that Friday. Adam had planned a quiet and cozy weekend getaway—a log cabin in the mountains, no phones, just pancakes in pajamas, and maybe a dip in the hot tub if we felt brave enough.
It was going to be perfect, and just how I liked it!
Then, a week before, five days before we left, Claire called Adam and ruined everything. Her voice came through the speakerphone, excited and fake-sweet.
“We’re throwing Julie a little surprise dinner on Thursday! Don’t tell her, okay?”
Adam tried to get his parents to cancel their plans, but his mother refused to budge.
When I returned from running errands, my husband was waiting for me. He looked a bit apprehensive, as if he had something to tell me but didn’t know how to.
“Babe, please come and have a seat with me. There’s something I need to run by you,” he started nervously.
“What’s up, love? Is something the matter?” I asked, sitting down next to him.
Because he knows I hate surprises, especially ones involving his family and open-ended dress codes, Adam told me about the plan. He also explained how he had tried protesting on my behalf, but his mother wouldn’t hear it.
“She said they’re hosting it at a place downtown. She wouldn’t say where,” my husband shared.
I sighed. “You know I hate surprises.”
“I know, my angel. But I’ll be with you the whole time. Worst-case scenario, we eat fast, and I fake a food allergy.”
Spoiler: It was, but not in a good way.
When Thursday rolled around, I was anxious and stressed. Claire had refused to give us, or rather Adam, any details about the restaurant. On the day of the occasion, she sent the coordinates to my husband and begged him not to check out the destination.
She said she wanted it to be a true surprise for both of us.
And it was…
We pulled up to an ultra-modern, swanky steakhouse on the top floor of a high-rise with skyline views, the kind with a velvet rope and a guy with an iPad instead of a hostess stand! The kind of place where custom menus are printed daily, there are wine pairings, and desserts have no prices listed.
As we walked in, I spotted the familiar faces: Claire and her husband, Richard. Adam’s sister, Megan, with her husband, Bryan. A few cousins I barely remembered, I think one was named Josh, or maybe Jordan.
Twelve of us total.
Dinner was already in full swing. There were three wine bottles on the table and a half-eaten seafood tower. They’d apparently started without us!
Claire air-kissed me. “There she is! Birthday girl!”
We sat. I ordered a modest filet and a glass of red. Everyone else? They went wild—lobster tails, caviar add-ons, and champagne like it was New Year’s Eve! Megan actually said, “Let’s not hold back, it’s a celebration!”
They ordered things like cocktails, appetizers, dessert platters, and more!
I noticed Claire didn’t even glance at the menu before ordering the Wagyu ribeye, the one that’s always “market price.” She smiled and clinked glasses with Richard like they’d just won the lottery.
