I was assumed to drinking wine in Santorini with my husband, celebrating a decade of marriage. Instead, he canceled our trip last-minute… to take his mother on vacation.
For a full year, I had been planning our tenth anniversary trip to Santorini.
I glanced at the screen. It was a text from my husband, Brian.
“Hey babe, change of plans. Mom’s really upset about her business. Taking her to the Bahamas for the week instead. Anniversary trip is off. We can go another time. Talk when I get back.”
I called him immediately.
“Where are you right now?” I asked.
“At the airport. Actually boarding in a few minutes,” Brian replied casually.
“Brian, we’ve been planning this trip for a year. My mother took off work to watch the kids. The hotel is non-refundable.”
“I know, I know. But Mom’s really going through it right now. She needed this, Rachel.”
“And what about what I need?”
“Don’t make this difficult. You’re always so understanding… that’s what I love about you. We’ll have other anniversaries.”
“Brian —”
“They’re calling my row. I’ve gotta go. Love you. We’ll talk when I get back.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I whispered to the empty room.
My phone whispered again with a text from my mother:
“Just picked up the kids from school! They’re so excited for their sleepover with Grandma. We’re heading to my place now. You and Brian have the best time!”
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied.
Brian watched him go, his jaw clamped tight. “Did you sleep with him?”
“No,” I said truthfully. “But the fact that’s your first question tells me everything I need to know about how little you trust me.”
“Trust YOU? You’re the one who went on our anniversary trip with another man!”
“After you canceled on me with a text message to take your mother instead.”
Brian ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “That was different! She needed me!”
“And I didn’t?” I set my suitcase down and crossed my arms. “That’s the problem, Brian. You didn’t even consider how I might feel. You just expected me to understand, like always.”
His anger seemed to deflate. “So what now? Are you… are you still mad?”
“I’m not mad anymore,” I said, surprising myself with the truth of it. “I’m just… done with being an afterthought in my own marriage.”
“Rachel, you’re not —”
“I am,” I cut him off. “Or at least I was. But not anymore.”
His face paled. “What does that mean?”
I picked up my suitcase. “It means next time you want to make plans — any plans — you’d better make sure I’m part of the conversation. No more last-minute texts. No more assuming I’ll just go along with whatever you decide.”
“I didn’t think —”
“Exactly. You didn’t think. But I bet you’re thinking now, aren’t you?”
“The kids are at my mother’s,” I said.
“I’m going to pick them up. And you can order takeout tonight because I’m NOT cooking. I’ve had a long flight.”
“Rachel, I’m… I’m sorry.”
“You know what I realized this week? That sometimes you have to shake things up to remind people of your value. That you can’t just hope someone will appreciate you… sometimes you have to demand it.”
I walked toward the exit, feeling his eyes on my back.
“Oh, and Brian?” I called over my shoulder.
“Next anniversary? I’m picking the destination. And you’d better not make other plans.”