I’ll never forget the sting of reading my husband’s text at the airport: “Sorry babe, can’t pick you up. Jenny needs a ride from the gym.” After five years of marriage, I’d grown tired of playing second fiddle to his friend’s wife. This time, I decided to show David exactly how it felt.
Enter Mark – David’s steadfast friend who actually showed up when called. As he drove me home, I realized the perfect way to make my point. That night, our dining table looked fit for a romantic anniversary – candles, fine china, David’s favorite dishes. The only twist? Our guest of honor was Mark.
David’s confusion turned to discomfort as I spent the evening thanking Mark for his reliability. “Unlike some people,” I added with a pointed glance. The awkward silence spoke volumes. Later, David finally admitted, “I didn’t realize how much this hurt you.”
The true breakthrough came when Jenny unexpectedly went into labor. Instead of dropping everything, David called Mark to help while he stayed with me. That choice – putting us first for once – healed wounds no apology could. Sometimes love means learning the hard way.
