My heart broke when my granddaughter Emily informed me that I was not invited to her wedding because it was “for her friends.” I had supported her during her heartbreaks and fevers, helped raise her, and even helped pay for the wedding gown she had always dreamed of. She chose my birthday as the occasion for her big day and grinned as though we were all celebrating together. I never thought I’d be standing at the door, all decked out, and be treated like a stranger. She laughed as she remarked, “I’d kill the vibe,” as if I wouldn’t mind missing the most significant day of her life. Before I could collapse there, my other granddaughter, Rachel, became enraged and dragged me away.
Accusing Rachel of stealing what should have been hers, she yelled. Calmly, I informed her, “On your special day, you made room for everyone but me. I therefore created room for someone who never made me feel unwelcome. She was furious, but I had never been more sure of my choice. Rachel remained silent by my side as she departed in a flurry of slammed doors and stern remarks. She whispered, “Thank you for seeing me,” and I gathered her in an embrace. Family is about showing up with love, even when it’s not expected of them, not about who makes the most demands. I didn’t lose a granddaughter that day. A daughter of the heart was discovered by me.
Two couples choose to go on a double date at a nice new restaurant downtown: Carlos and Sofia and Mike and Jenny.
Carlos is really laid back, Mike is the organizer, Jenny is the talkative one, and Sofia—well, Sofia is brutally honest.
Everything is going well when they order some meal and sit down—until the waiter shows up with the wine list**.
“We’ll have your finest red,” Mike says, attempting to win over everyone. Money is meaningless.
The waiter’s eyebrows go up. “Do you want to view the costs?”
Mike dismisses him with a wave. “No need. We’re honoring love!
Jenny leans closer and murmurs, “Today, Mike received his salary. Until Monday, we will be wealthy.
Sofia gives an eye roll. “As soon as Carlos receives his paycheck, he realizes that we need toilet paper, new curtains, and to sponsor a llama in Peru.”
Until the wine arrives, everyone laughs.
“That’ll be \$295,” the waiter replies after returning and gently setting the wine down.
Mike chokes on a piece of bread. After calculating, Jenny murmurs, “That’s half our rent.”
“Does it come with stock options?” Carlos asks after glancing at the bottle.
“It better come with a vineyard,” Sofia continues.
However, the show has to continue.
Jenny begins shooting pictures as soon as the dinner arrives. The food came first, followed by her, the couples, and then the fork alone.
“Are we going to eat the steak or just record its life story?” asks Carlos.
After that, the couples begin a game called *”Who Knows Their Partner Best?” *
First question: “What is the greatest fear that your partner has?”
Mike shouts, “Dedication!”
Jenny gives him a startled expression. “Pardon me?!”
“Same,” Carlos interrupts.
Sofia gives a nod. “When I asked him where this relationship was headed, he screamed.”
Second query: “What irritates your partner the most?”
“When Carlos leaves socks everywhere,” Sofia remarks.
Carlos responds, “That isn’t accurate!”
“At least she doesn’t gather your toenails in a jar,” Mike continues.
Jenny leaps to her feet. “It was for art!”
**Final query: “What would your partner be if they were a drink?”
“Sofia is a margarita,” says Carlos. Strong, salty, and you start to doubt your life decisions after three.
Sofia smiles. “Carlos is a beer that is warm.” flat and barely bearable in the absence of other people.
“Jenny’s like champagne—sparkly and expensive,” Mike remarks.
Jenny dissolves.
“Mike’s like a cheap boxed wine—questionable but reliable,” Jenny responds.
The server asks if they need dessert or just therapy because they are all laughing so much.
—
The story’s lesson:
On a double date, never play relationship games.
Unless you want to find out who is taking an Uber alone and who is heading home with someone else.