{"id":85618,"date":"2025-03-12T12:37:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T12:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/?p=85618"},"modified":"2025-03-12T12:37:32","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T12:37:32","slug":"i-prepared-a-holiday-feast-for-20-guests-but-my-husband-had-different-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/i-prepared-a-holiday-feast-for-20-guests-but-my-husband-had-different-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"I Prepared a Holiday Feast for 20 Guests\u2014But My Husband Had Different Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>That morning something felt.\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/Header_Banner', [[728, 90], [300, 100], [750, 200], [750, 100], [250, 250], [250, 360], [336, 280], [930, 180], [970, 250], 'fluid', [320, 100], [750, 300], [970, 90], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728601596670-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"1\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/Header_Banner -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728601596670-0' style='min-width: 250px; min-height: 90px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728601596670-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>Maybe it was the way Todd barely recognized the efforts I spent on his birthday plans, or maybe it was an annoying feeling in my intestine that he told me &#8211; as soon as I was again &#8211; I was supposed to be disappointed.<\/p>\r\n<p>I spent weeks preparing and ensured that every detail was perfect, but when I looked at it when I walked through the phone at breakfast, I could not shake the suspicion that my work would be unnoticed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP6', [[336, 280], [320, 100], [750, 300], [320, 480], [580, 400], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728564650408-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"2\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP6 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728564650408-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728564650408-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p>I wanted to believe that this year would be different. I wanted to believe that Todd had appreciated what I did so far. But deep down, I already knew it better.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I spent weeks planning a birthday holiday for my husband &#8211; but had other ideas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Special dinner organization for the 35th birthday of my husband Todda felt like the right thing. But just as the guests were about to arrive, he had not yet announced that he would skip the party to watch the game in the bar. What happened next? Let&#8217;s just say that I made sure the night was unforgettable &#8211; but not as he expected.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Rejection of my efforts as if it meant nothing<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/topradio.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/471582120_122122734578590861_3411397558460531856_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When the candles ripped through the perfectly set table, frustration bubbled in me.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It was all worth it, Claire? Would you really let Todd treat you this way? No. No longer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Canceling dinner was not possible. I refused to let him feel insignificant again. After six years of marriage, some recognition would be nice &#8211; but Todd had a history of overlooking my efforts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[300, 250], [320, 480], [336, 280], [320, 100], [580, 400], [750, 300]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728564828386-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"3\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728564828386-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728564828386-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This year his claim reached a new level.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The formula takes me for granted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd and I have been married for six years, and although it has its charming moments, his expectations from me are exhausting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For example, take the last Thanksgiving. At breakfast, Todd proudly suggested to host dinner for both of our families.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Claire,&#8221; he announced, &#8220;this year we should make Thanksgiving.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Okay,&#8221; I agreed. &#8220;How do we divide duties?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>He waved my question as if it weren&#8217;t unnecessary.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;You are great in such a thing,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I can handle drinks or something.&#8221; It&#8217;s just amazing, okay? \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I should have known it better, but I went with it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For two weeks I prepared everything while Todd focused on his fantasy football league and sometimes asked, &#8220;I need me to catch something?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>On a big day I managed Turkey, sides and desserts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd? He carried a beer cooler in the living room.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>After dinner, when our families appreciated food, Todd took the opportunity to heat the compliments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[336, 280], [320, 100], [580, 400], [750, 300], [300, 250], [320, 480]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728564868956-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"4\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728564868956-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728564868956-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;I wanted this year&#8217;s dinner to be extremely strange,&#8221; he said with a smile.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I blinked distrustfully.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Seriously?&#8221; I teased. &#8220;Which part was your masterpiece?&#8221; Green beans or peak? \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>He ignored me predictably.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" class=\"wp-image-85619\" style=\"width: 401px; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image-101.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image-101.png 225w, \/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image-101-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>That&#8217;s Todd. You always like to take credit, never willing to spend your efforts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>His birthday was the last straw.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Last year I spent weeks on his birthday by compiling a personal photo album full of memories. It&#8217;ss reaction?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;O. Where is the real gift?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>His words decreased deeper than I left. He was the same man who wrote me poetry, now unable to appreciate the sincere gesture. That day something burst in me.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And then came his 35. Birthday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[320, 100], [750, 300], [320, 480], [580, 400], [336, 280], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728564912373-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"5\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728564912373-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728564912373-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>One evening at dinner, Todd mentioned what he wanted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Claire, I want the right birthday dinner,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Family, friends &#8211; works.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I picked up my eyebrows. &#8220;Do you want me to plan it?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Of course,&#8221; he replied without hesitation. &#8220;You&#8217;re great in it.&#8221; Just keep it elegant. \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Classy? The claim was stunning. But despite my hesitation, I went with it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For two weeks, I carefully planned his &#8220;big&#8221; birthday party, Gurman menu with chicken spinach, potatoes with rosemary, sophisticated sausage plate, and decadent three-layer chocolate cake.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Every night after work I cleaned, organized, and prepared. I even borrowed other chairs from our neighbor Janice to meet the guests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd? He did nothing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;The work was stressful,&#8221; the shoulders shrugged. &#8220;Do you have it, love.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I was exhausted. Tears burned behind my eyes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But I just smiled. &#8220;Yeah, I got it.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Treason<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Finally, the party&#8217;s day arrived.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[300, 250], [320, 480], [320, 100], [580, 400], [750, 300], [336, 280]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728564931547-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"6\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728564931547-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728564931547-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" class=\"wp-image-85620\" style=\"width: 646px; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/image-102.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The house sparkled. The table was set with carefully coordinated laundry and handwritten names. The food was ready.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I went all out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd went into the kitchen and barely acknowledged my efforts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;He looks good,&#8221; he said, grabbing the soda.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s doing it?&#8221; I asked and hoped in some sign of recognition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Shrugged. &#8220;Hey, don&#8217;t be afraid to finish everything.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;What do you mean?&#8221; I asked confused.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m heading to the bar with the boys.&#8221; Just cancel your dinner. Let the guests know that something has come. \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I wasn&#8217;t staring at him. &#8220;Will you skip your own birthday dinner?&#8221; After all I did? \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s not a big problem,&#8221; he released. &#8220;He understands it.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Understand? They&#8217;re on the way!&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Look, I don&#8217;t want to look chrome in front of the boys,&#8221; he said, ending the conversation effectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>With that he grabbed the jacket and went out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I stood there, stunned. A broken heart. Furious.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[300, 250], [320, 480], [580, 400], [320, 100], [750, 300], [336, 280]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728564987069-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"7\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728564987069-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728564987069-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>He expected to cancel everything. Lose weeks of effort.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>But if Todd thought he would get away with it, he had no idea what was coming.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>My perfect revenge<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I quickly sent the text to our guests:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Change plans! The party is still on &#8211; a new place. Get to know us at the bar on the main street. Come hungry!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Then I had to work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I packed the food trays and went directly to the bar that Todd mentioned.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The place was packed, the energy of the buzzing. I noticed Todda at the table, laughed, didn&#8217;t know what to do.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The bartender approached and watched the food. &#8220;Can I help you with something?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I smiled sweetly. &#8220;I&#8217;m just here to enjoy food with people who really appreciate it.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When I chose a table near Todda, I began to decompose dishes. Aroma quickly attracted the attention of people.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;What is it all?&#8221; The man asked nearby.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I made sure my voice was carrying.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[320, 100], [580, 400], [300, 250], [320, 480], [336, 280], [750, 300]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728565011997-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"8\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n\t<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n\t<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728565011997-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728565011997-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;It was supposed to be my husband&#8217;s birthday dinner,&#8221; I said. &#8220;But because he left it for a bar night, I found out &#8211; why did he let good food waste?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The room spread the ripple of laughter and murmur. Todd finally noticed. His face paled when his friends began to whisper.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Claire!&#8221; What are you doing? \u201cHe hissed and looked around panic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I ignored him and turned to the nearby patrons. &#8220;Help!&#8221; The cake comes on! \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Then the door opened.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd&#8217;s parents. My parents. His sister. Cousins.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>They took on the scene &#8211; European Championship, beautifully plain food, a bar full of amused spectators.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd&#8217;s mother frowned. &#8220;Todde, why didn&#8217;t you tell us that we will meet in the bar?&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd looked as if he wanted to disappear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s complicated, Mom,&#8221; he murmured.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I smiled clearly. &#8220;Not at all!&#8221; Todd decided that the game was more important than his own birthday dinner, so I brought dinner here! \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[300, 250], [320, 480], [320, 100], [580, 400], [750, 300], [336, 280]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728565035917-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"9\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n\t<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728565035917-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728565035917-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>His father sighed. &#8220;That&#8217;s &#8230; disappointment.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd&#8217;s mother grabbed the plate. &#8220;Well, food looks amazing.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And so our families joined the holiday. Todd&#8217;s friends laughed and shook their heads.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When I finally brought the cake, he was decorated with courageous, gold letters:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Happy birthday to my husband!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The whole bar exploded with laughter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Todd? Was died.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;Was it necessary, Claire?&#8221; Whispered.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>I smiled. &#8220;Oh, absolutely.&#8221;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A lesson that I will not forget<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>After the party, Todd reported at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;You are embarrassed!&#8221; He was overwhelmed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&#8220;No, Todde,&#8221; I fixed. &#8220;You are embarrassed by yourself.&#8221; And do not expect any homemade meals for a while. \u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>He realized he had no argument that he had thrown himself into bed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[320, 100], [580, 400], [300, 250], [320, 480], [336, 280], [750, 300]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728565071986-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"9\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n\t<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728565071986-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728565071986-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>From that night his attitude changed. Less justified. More cautious.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>He didn&#8217;t apologize, but his endless behavior says it all.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In the end, he understands &#8211; if he takes me again for granted, he could find himself on Wednesday another public spectacle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>And that, my friends, is victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>What would you do?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This experience taught me an invaluable lesson &#8211; not only about Todd, but about myself. For too long I poured my energy into someone who took my efforts for granted. That night I got my value back. While Todd may not have offered a sincere apology, his actions have been showing since then that he finally understands that I am no longer willing to be ignored.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Relationships should be created on mutual recognition and respect, not for one-sided effort. I realized that a position for myself does not mean that he is kind; It simply means to demand the respect I deserve. Whether Todd really changes or not, one thing is for sure &#8211; I will never allow myself to be underestimated again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n  window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};\r\n  googletag.cmd.push(function() {\r\n    googletag.defineSlot('\/22756311368\/LAP5', [[300, 250], [336, 280], [320, 480], [580, 400], [320, 100], [750, 300]], 'div-gpt-ad-1728565130304-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\r\n    googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();\r\n    googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();\r\n    googletag.enableServices();\r\n  });\r\n<\/script>\r\n<div alaunit=\"9\" style='text-align: center;padding-bottom: 10px;'>\r\n\t<!-- \/22756311368\/LAP5 -->\r\n<div id='div-gpt-ad-1728565130304-0' style='min-width: 300px; min-height: 100px;'>\r\n  <script>\r\n    googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1728565130304-0'); });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>That morning something felt. Maybe it was the way Todd barely recognized the efforts I spent on his birthday plans, or maybe it was an annoying feeling in my intestine that he told me &#8211; as soon as I was again &#8211; I was supposed to be disappointed. I spent weeks preparing and ensured that &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/i-prepared-a-holiday-feast-for-20-guests-but-my-husband-had-different-plans\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">I Prepared a Holiday Feast for 20 Guests\u2014But My Husband Had Different Plans<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-neque"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=85618"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85777,"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85618\/revisions\/85777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=85618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=85618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legendsmosaic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=85618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}</body></html></script></p>