During our anniversary celebration, my mother-in-law gave me an envelope, and I thought it might contain some funny coupons. Rather, I discovered an astonishing invoice that demanded payment for nurturing my spouse. The next thing I did caught her off guard.
My mother-in-law and I have never gotten along, but what she did this time was completely inappropriate. None of you have likely encountered anything quite ridiculous.
Laura, my mother-in-law, is one of those people who believes she is always correct. She is adamant about voicing her opinions on any subject, even when she has no idea what she is talking about.
Tricks in the kitchen? She will enumerate for you the things that you have never heard before.
current events? She will, I promise, give you the impression that you have been living under a rock.
artificial intelligence? discoveries in science? That woman has an arrogant sense of self.
She also thinks she’s the world’s greatest mommy. Edward and Michael are Laura’s two sons. Edward, the younger, is my spouse.
If you question Edward about his mother, he will offer you five reasons why she wasn’t the greatest mother.
One day he informed me, “She used to always scream at us for no reason.” “She would punish us for the tiniest of mistakes and make us feel like we didn’t deserve to be loved.”
To be really honest, I feel so bad for Edward and Michael, and I can assure you that Edward is not making this up about his mother. Edward was an insecure man when I first met him in college; he was too bashful to approach the girls in his class.
I don’t like to brag, but I was the one who gave him self-care advice and helped him feel deserving of love.
Before we were married, he told me about his horrific childhood experiences, and I can still clearly recall that moment. It stunned me.
“I remember shaking with fear when Mom used to argue with Dad in front of us,” Edward informed me. “She used to scream at us after that.”
“Oh my goodness, that sounds awful,” I shook my head. “I’m so sorry you had to go through all of that.”
“I simply want you to understand the kind of upbringing I experienced,” he stated, gazing directly into my eyes. “It’s important for me to be honest before you decide to start a new chapter of your life with me, Ray.”
I reached for Edward’s hand and murmured, “I know, Edward.” “At this point, nothing needs to worry about you. I will be at your side. I’m here to stay.”
I made the decision to wed the man I loved the most at that point, but I had no idea his mother would make my life a living hell. Although I was aware of her difficulty, what she did a few weeks ago shocked me.
As Edward and I were celebrating our second wedding anniversary, we made the decision to throw a little party at our home. We invited my parents, Edward’s brother, our close friends, and my mother-in-law.
I put in several hours making the greatest meals for the occasion and decorating the house. Even the anniversary cake I bought was so exquisite that I nearly didn’t want to cut it!
All right, so the visitors began to arrive and everything was running smoothly.
They thanked us for inviting them, laughed, and loved the food and games. My MIL invited me into the living room after everyone had departed, and she gave me an envelope.
“What’s this?” I smiled as I asked.
As she got up to go, she remarked, “Just a little gift from my side.” It’s only for you, please. Not for my son, please.”
“Oh, thank you,” I replied in a happy manner.
She smiled as she walked out, giving Edward and me hugs.
I told Edward, “That’s strange,” after she had departed. “Your mother didn’t say anything hurtful today. I’m taken aback.”
Edward joked, “Oh, she might have spared you because it’s our anniversary.”
“By the way, what’s that?” he inquired, gesturing to the envelope I was holding.
“Your mother said it’s a gift for me,” I said. “It better be something nice.”
“For you?” Edward laughed. “You’re one lucky woman, Ray!”
When we were done cleaning the kitchen, I took the envelope and sat on the bed, ready to crack it open.
“I’m opening your mom’s gift!” Edward was in the shower when I called out to him.
“Good luck, babe!” His voice sounded muffled, and I heard it behind the bathroom door.
I was prepared for the envelope to include a few dollar notes or grocery store coupons, but what Laura had handed me was far more than that. As I took a piece of paper out of the envelope, my smile vanished.
I opened it, read the first line, and then I was fixated on the page, my eyes wide open. I received a bill from my mother-in-law for all the “expenses” she said she had while raising my husband. I’m not joking at all.
A sample of the list she sent is as follows:
Diapers: $2,500
$1,200 for school supplies.
Athletic gear — $1,100
$25,000 is the cost of college tuition.
$10,000 for emotional support (yep, this was mentioned)
“Nurturing a loving son for you’”— priceless (with a happy expression)
The list was endless, and my eyes twitched more as I read it. She even included a brief remark at the conclusion.
You can assist me in covering the expenses as you are reaping the rewards.
“What the heck?” I told myself. “How on earth did she possibly consider doing this? Is she requesting payment from me for producing such a fantastic husband?”
Edward left the restroom at that point.
When he saw my face, he said, “What happened, babe?” “Is everything alright?”
Edward, your mother needs help,” I said as I gave him the bill. “Serious help.”
I watched intently as Edward read the bill, thinking he would react similarly to how I did, but instead he dismissed it as a practical joke.
He laughed and said, “I’m sure Mom’s just playing around.” “She can’t be serious.”
“She sent me a bill totaling $50,000, and you think this is a joke?” In a serious tone, I said.
Edward gave a shoulder shrug.
“I’m not friends with Laura from high school,” I rolled my eyes. “She is obviously serious. You are aware of her fondness for inflicting pain on others. I’m sure this is just another of her antics.”
Edward agreed with me at that point.
I warned Edward, ‘I wont allow her get away with this. “This is just… absurd!”
Edward slept asleep when we went to bed in a matter of minutes, but I remained up late, thinking of the best method to avenge Laura.
She made me feel bad today, and I intended to make her feel even worse.
How in the world did she think she could ask me to reimburse her for everything? I pondered. When all she did was scream at her kids, how could she possibly believe she was providing them with emotional support?
I woke up the following morning with a wonderful notion. I got a notebook after breakfast and started writing down what Laura had made me go through.
I then created an itemized bill that was identical to what she had supplied me. I even gave my bank a call and requested that they email me a breakdown of the money I had spent on therapy over the previous two years.
This is how my list appeared:
Paying $5,000 to hear her critique my cuisine
Grinning while accepting backhanded compliments during family meals — $8,000
If she “accidentally” forgets my birthday, I’ll pretend not to notice ($1,000).
After her persistent meddling in our marriage, the treatment sessions cost $30,000.
Educating her son about the typical family dynamic — $20,000
“Emotional support for dealing with her drama”— invaluable
I created a fraudulent invoice with a $5,000 balance and mailed it to her. I included a brief letter with it for her reference as well. It stated:
Greetings, Laura
This is a summary of all you have made me go through in the last two years. You might as well assist me in recouping the expenses because you took pleasure in making me feel awful and making offensive remarks.
Dearest daughter-in-law,
Ray
I hoped that by sending the mail, I would be able to put a boundary in our relationship and for the first time, I felt extremely relieved.
Although I don’t like to offend or harm people, Laura did something inappropriate on our anniversary. This seemed like the most effective approach of getting her to see her error.
The best part, you know what it is? Ever since she received the mail, she has been remarkably silent. I was expecting her to call and yell at me, but I got nothing.
A few days later, I saw her again, and she was unable to meet my gaze. I consider it a win because it appeared that she was ashamed of what she had done. She must have finally realized that she isn’t always correct!
I’m really happy that I took a stand for myself at last. More than anything, though, I believe I did it for Edward. The 20-year-old boy who was never shown the affection and attention he deserved.
I hope this somehow atones for all the cruel remarks and experiences he went through. I’m honored to have spoken up for the two of us since he deserved so much better.
Do you believe what I did was appropriate?