When Aria is in labor with her and Dave’s firstborn baby, she’s horrified to see him leave the hospital just because his mother called. Things get worse when Aria discovers that the reason was because Dave needed to help with his mother’s groceries. What is Aria going to do next?
I never imagined I’d be writing this, but here I am, needing to vent and share the valuable lesson my husband learned the hard way.
I’m 32 and stepping into motherhood. My husband, Dave, is 34 and has always had a bit of a complicated relationship with his mother.
Marlene is the type of mother who called for every little thing, expecting him to drop everything and come as soon as she needed.
“Of course,” he said, searching his laptop bag. “Why?”
“I’m going to save the birth video on it, and leave it here for Dave.”
My father looked at me closely before nodding.
“Please, just give him this letter and this flash drive,” I said to her as we got ready to leave.
The letter read:
Dear Dave,
This is what you missed. This is the once-in-a-lifetime moment you chose to skip. I needed you more than ever, and you left me. Our daughter deserved to have both her parents there for her first moments in this world. This video shows the strength and resilience you’ll never get to witness first-hand.
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I hope you understand the pain and disappointment you’ve caused. Maybe now you’ll realize the sacrifice that comes with being a husband and father.
-Aria & Gabi
A few days later, my father invited our closest family to introduce Gabrielle. I didn’t invite Dave. I knew that it was a cold gesture, but I didn’t want to see him.
He showed up at my father’s place anyway, looking remorseful and desperate.
“Please, let me explain,” he said, his voice trembling as he approached me.
I crossed my arms, staring at the man I had married.
“Explain what? That you thought groceries were more important than your daughter being born?”
“I’m sorry, Aria,” he said. “I was torn between you and Mom. And I didn’t know what to do. I chose wrong. Please, forgive me. I’ll do anything to make it right.”
“You left me in the most vulnerable moment of my life, Dave,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “How can I trust you after that?”
“I know I messed up,” he said. “I know I hurt you. But I want to make it right.”
I refused to speak.
“I hate myself for it,” he said. “I’ll never forgive myself. Please, let me be here for you and our daughter. Let me prove that I can be the father she deserves.”
“This is your one and only chance, Dave,” I said. “You need to show me, not just tell me, that you can be the man we need,” I said firmly.
He nodded vigorously.
“I swear, Aria, I will never let you down again.”
One evening, as we were putting our daughter to bed, Dave turned to me, his eyes filled with sincerity.
“I know I’ve said it before, but I’m truly sorry. I never want to miss another moment.”
I know that my husband has apologized profusely, but I’m still waiting for my mother-in-law to apologize, too.
What would you have done?
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