Lisa worked tirelessly to afford a dream trip to Maui, only for her husband, Wade, to give her ticket to his mommy instead. Stunned but seething, Lisa starts planning the ultimate payback — one that will ensure his vacation is unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
I stared at the Maui resort website, my cursor hovering over the “Book Now” button like it was the detonator to a happiness bomb.
A woman staring thoughtfully at her laptop screen | Source: Midjourney
The photos showed pristine beaches, infinity pools, and those little umbrellas in coconut drinks that screamed “vacation.”
After a year of endless work and juggling the kids’ schedules with the precision of a circus performer, I needed this break like a caffeine addict needs their morning coffee.
I let out a sigh of relief as I clicked the button. The confirmation page popped up with a cheerful ding, and I let loose with a little victorious air punch. I was finally getting my dream vacation!
A happy woman looking at a laptop screen | Source: Midjourney
Wade and I had agreed to split the cost fifty-fifty. I’d convinced him we needed a real vacation in January and had been working hard to make it happen all year.
I’d planned everything down to the minute: beachfront resort, sunset sail, snorkeling with sea turtles. I even scheduled in “spontaneous” relaxation time, because that’s the kind of control freak I’d become.
The kids were thrilled about staying with my sister, Jane, for the week we’d be away.
Happy siblings on a sofa | Source: Midjourney
“Mom,” my 13-year-old Emma had said, “Aunt Jane said she’ll give us ice cream for breakfast!”
I pretended to be scandalized, but honestly, Jane could feed them moon rocks for all I cared. This vacation was my light at the end of a very long, very dark, very exhausting tunnel.
One week before our flight, all my dreams of relaxing on the beach came crashing down around me.
A woman with a serious expression | Source: Midjourney
Wade’s mom was coming for dinner, so I was in the kitchen dishing up her special lasagna. She’d given me the recipe a year ago with great fanfare, like she was conveying a great honor. It was just regular lasagna with extra garlic and oregano.
I heard the front door open, and my mother-in-law’s distinctive perfume arrived about three seconds before she did.
“Something smells wonderful!” Carol’s voice carried through the house like a foghorn of impending doom.
A woman striding down a home corridor | Source: Midjourney
She swept into the kitchen, designer purse swinging from her arm like a weapon. She scanned the kitchen, frowned, and then leaned out into the hall.
“Wade, honey, your wife is plating dinner already. Why aren’t you here to welcome me?”
I bit my tongue so hard that I probably needed stitches.
“Sorry, Mom, I was packing a few things. We’ve got some exciting news,” Wade announced as he bounded into the room like an overeager golden retriever. “We booked a trip to Maui!”
Carol’s face lit up like a Christmas tree on steroids.
A mature woman grinning in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, sweetie! You’re so wonderful for planning such a lovely vacation.” She turned to me with a dismissive glance that could have frozen Hawaii itself. “You’re lucky to have my Wade. He’s always been such a caring soul.”
“Actually,” I started to say, “I was the one who—”
“You know,” Carol interrupted, sinking into a kitchen chair with a dramatic sigh worthy of a soap opera, “I’ve been so exhausted lately. Retirement isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. All those bridge club meetings, and my garden needs so much attention…”
A mature woman sitting at a table | Source: Midjourney
I turned away so Carol wouldn’t see me roll my eyes. She’d never once offered to watch the kids during their various illnesses, school events, or even that time I had the flu and was hallucinating that the kitchen sponge was giving me financial advice.
But somehow her life was always so hard… yeah, right. Carol was just one of those people who thought having life problems was a competitive sport.
I suppressed a sigh as we all sat down to eat.
A plate of lasagna on a table | Source: Pexels
Carol droned on about how exhausted she was and how much she wished she could also enjoy a “fancy getaway.”
I just nodded occasionally and tried not to groan, but Wade was drinking it all up.
Toward the end of dinner, Wade cleared his throat and turned to me.
“Hey, honey, I was thinking…”
He had that look again, the one that meant I should probably start looking up countries with no extradition treaties.
“Why don’t you let Mom take your ticket?”
A man speaking to someone during dinner | Source: Midjourney
I nearly choked on my garlic bread.
“Wade,” I said carefully, my voice shaking with the restraint of a saint, “I worked my butt off all year to save for this trip. I’m exhausted. I need this break more than I need oxygen right now.”
He shrugged, like I was complaining about the weather instead of the grand theft of my sanity vacation.
“A lot of women work these days,” he said. “It’s your choice. But you heard my mom… she could really use a break. Don’t make this a big deal.”
A man speaking during dinner at home | Source: Midjourney
“I worked my whole life for my son and never complained,” Carol chimed in, dabbing at nonexistent tears with her perfectly manicured fingers.
I looked at Wade, really looked at him, and something inside me snapped like a rubber band that had been stretched way too far. Six years of marriage crystallized into perfect clarity.
This wasn’t about the vacation. This was about every birthday dinner he’d insisted we spend with his mother, every decision that somehow always ended with Carol getting her way, and how she still called Wade her “precious baby boy” even though he was in his 30s.
Close up of a woman staring ahead with wide eyes | Source: Midjourney
I forced my lips into a smile. “Sure, Wade. Take your mom. I’ll figure something else out.”
They both beamed, thinking they’d won. But I was already planning my revenge, and it was going to be more satisfying than all the spa treatments in Hawaii combined.
Over the next few days, I became very busy with my laptop, cackling like a witch over her cauldron.
The five-star resort? Downgraded to a budget hotel miles from the beach, with one queen bed and a mysterious stain on the carpet that the reviews said might be sentient.
A woman cackling while using her laptop | Source: Midjourney
The sunset sail and snorkeling? Canceled faster than a bad Netflix series. Instead, I booked them fascinating activities like “The History of Pineapple Farming: A Four-Hour Lecture Series” and “Traditional Hat Weaving: A Five-Hour Workshop with Bonus Meditation.”
Their first-class flights became economy middle seats, separated by three rows, right next to the bathrooms.
But that wasn’t all I had planned.
A woman smirking while using her laptop | Source: Midjourney
I also found a lawyer and filed for divorce.
By the time Wade left for the airport, I was ready to move forward with the next stage. I packed his things into suitcases and lined them up in the hallway like soldiers of liberation. The note I left took only minutes to write, but I’d been composing it in my head for days.
Dear Wade,
In these suitcases, you’ll find all your belongings — well, at least the ones worth keeping. I need a break, not just from our “marriage,” but from your mom’s constant meddling and your eternal cluelessness.
Feel free to unpack at her place. I’m sure she’ll love having her little boy back full-time.
Best wishes,
Your ex-wife
Suitcases in an entrance hall | Source: Pexels
Then I treated myself to some online shopping: one ticket for a luxury Mediterranean cruise. The refunds from all those canceled Maui activities more than covered it.
I was folding clothes into my suitcase, practicing my “lounging on deck” pose, when my phone exploded with Wade’s ringtone.
“WHAT DID YOU DO?!” His voice cracked with fury. “It’s so selfish! This hotel is a dump, and the flight was a nightmare!”
A smug woman on a phone call | Source: Midjourney
“Oh, I thought you’d love it! A nice quiet room, some quality mother-son bonding over hat weaving… But wait until you see the surprise I arranged for when you get back.”
“What surprise? Lisa? LISA!”
I hung up, smiling like the cat who not only got the cream but also started a successful dairy company. The divorce papers were scheduled for delivery to Carol’s house the day they returned.
By then, I’d be somewhere off the Italian coast, eating authentic pasta and sipping champagne.
A cruise ship close to land | Source: Pexels
A few months have passed since all of this happened. The divorce was finalized smoothly and these days, I’m happily single and planning my next adventure to Disney World with the kids.
Wade is still living with his mommy, and from the sounds of things, has no plans to move out anytime soon. The kids visit him every second weekend, and I make sure to smile and wave whenever I see Carol.
Once, I even got to ask if she enjoyed her hat-weaving workshop.
A woman standing beside her car waving her hand | Source: Midjourney
Sometimes the best vacations are the ones you take by yourself — especially when they lead you exactly where you need to be.
And sometimes, the sweetest revenge isn’t served cold: it’s a pineapple farming lecture with a side of hat weaving.
My Grandpa with Alzheimer’s Couldn’t Remember Anyone except One Woman – He Proposed to Her before Our Whole Family
Do you believe in moments of pure magic, even amidst the harshest realities? Picture this: a man lost to Alzheimer’s, suddenly proposing to the love of his life, leaving everyone around in tears. This heartwarming story of my Grandpa Jim is one you won’t forget.
Man sitting on a bench in a park | Source: Pexels
Grandpa Jim has always been the sweetest man. He would tell the best stories, always had a smile on his face, and was the heart of our family. Watching him get diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and become forgetful has been incredibly hard for all of us.
It’s heartbreaking to see the man who once knew everything about us struggle to remember our names or where he is. Growing up, Grandpa Jim was my hero. He was a tall, robust man with a booming laugh that could fill a room.
Senior man giving hi five to a friend | Source: Pexels
Every summer, our family would gather around the campfire in the backyard, and grandpa would spin the most enchanting tales. One night, as the fire crackled and the stars twinkled above us, he told us about his adventures traveling across the country in his youth.
“There was this one time,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “I hitchhiked all the way to California just to see the Pacific Ocean. Best decision I ever made, aside from marrying your grandma.”
Grandfather bonding with his grandchildren | Source: Pexels
Grandpa Jim’s stories were always the highlight of our family gatherings. He had a way of bringing the past to life, making us feel like we were right there with him, experiencing every twist and turn.
But those days feel like a lifetime ago now. These days, grandpa is a shadow of his former self. The disease has taken so much from him, from all of us. One evening, I overheard my mom talking to Aunt Linda in the kitchen.
Two women standing in the kitchen | Source: Pexels
“I just don’t know what to do anymore,” she said, her voice breaking. “Sometimes he doesn’t even recognize me. It’s like he’s slipping away, piece by piece.”
“Remember what Dr. Patel said,” Aunt Linda replied gently. “We have to cherish the good days, the moments when he’s still with us, even if they’re fleeting.”
I tried to hold on to those words, but it was hard. I missed the grandpa who would wink at me during dinner and sneak me extra dessert. Now, he often looked at me with vacant eyes, trying to place my face.
Elderly man sitting on the bed | Source: Pexels
A few weeks ago, we decided to throw a BBQ party in our backyard to celebrate grandpa’s birthday. It was a rare warm day in early spring, and we wanted to make it special. Dad fired up the grill, and the smell of burgers and hot dogs filled the air.
Mom set up a long table with grandpa’s favorite dishes, hoping the familiar flavors might spark a memory. As we gathered around, gifting him things and flowers, we all tried to keep the mood light, even though the sadness was palpable.
People eating together | Source: Pexels
My little cousin, Tommy, ran up to grandpa with a handmade card, his eyes bright with excitement. “Happy birthday, grandpa!” he shouted, holding up his masterpiece.
Grandpa Jim smiled, but there was a flicker of confusion in his eyes. “Thank you, young man,” he said, patting Tommy’s head. “And what’s your name?”
Tommy’s face fell, but he quickly recovered. “I’m Tommy, grandpa. Your grandson.”
Young boy sitting on his grandfather’s lap | Source: Pexels
The air was heavy with an unspoken sadness, but we pushed on, determined to make it a day to remember. Grandma Mary, who has been tirelessly taking care of grandpa, emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray of food to the backyard. As she stepped out, her eyes met grandpa’s, and for a moment, everything changed.
Grandpa suddenly went quiet. This wasn’t unusual; he often forgot her name too. But this time was different. His eyes seemed to clear, and he picked up the bouquet that he received for his birthday and walked towards grandma.
Senior man giving flowers to his wife | Source: Pexels
Everyone gasped as we watched him get down on one knee. With tears in his eyes and a sincere expression, he said, “You are the most wonderful woman I have ever seen, and I would love for you to be my wife.”
I could see mom’s hands trembling as she brought them to her mouth, tears already streaming down her face. Aunt Linda clutched dad’s arm, her eyes wide in disbelief. The rest of the family fell silent, holding their breaths, watching this unexpected and heartwarming moment unfold.
Happy elderly couple | Source: Pexels
Grandma, who has been so strong and patient throughout his illness, melted in that moment. She softly replied, “Oh, Jim, we have been married for forty years. I am already your wife.”
For a brief second, there was a flicker of confusion on Grandpa Jim’s face, but it quickly passed. “Forty years?” he whispered as if trying to grasp the weight of that number. “Forty years with you, and it still feels like yesterday.”
She knelt beside him, taking his hands in hers. “Yes, my love. Forty beautiful years.”
Elderly couple walking | Source: Pexels
I could feel a lump forming in my throat. This was the grandpa I remembered, the man who adored grandma more than anything in the world. It was like watching a scene from one of his old stories, but this time it was real, and it was happening right in front of us.
Mom stepped forward, her voice shaking. “Dad, do you remember our family vacations? You and mom would always dance on the beach at sunset.”
Couple dancing on the beach | Source: Pexels
Grandpa’s eyes flickered with a distant memory. “Yes, the sunsets,” he murmured, his gaze still locked on grandma. “You always looked so beautiful in that light.”
I remembered those vacations too. Grandpa and grandma dancing barefoot in the sand, completely lost in each other. They seemed invincible back then like their love could withstand anything. And now, even with Alzheimer’s stealing so much from him, that love shone through.
Couple having a romantic moment at the beach | Source: Pexels
Tommy, ever curious and innocent, tugged at my sleeve. “Why is grandpa asking grandma to marry him again?”
I knelt at his level, trying to find the right words. “Sometimes, Tommy, love is so strong that it finds its way back, even when memories fade.”
Grandma wiped a tear from her cheek and kissed grandpa’s forehead. “You always were a charmer, Jim. You swept me off my feet then, and you still do now.”
Elderly man kissing his wife | Source: Pexels
Dad cleared his throat, trying to keep his composure. “Let’s get you both up,” he said gently, helping them stand. “We have a lot of celebrating to do.”
As the family gathered around, enveloping grandpa and grandma in a tight embrace, I felt a sense of warmth and unity. Even in the face of this cruel disease, the love they shared was a beacon of hope for all of us.
Elderly couple on concrete bench taking a selfie | Source: Pexels
Grandpa’s grip on reality might be slipping, but at that moment, he was the man we all remembered: strong, loving, and full of life. And grandma, with her unwavering strength and patience, was the anchor that kept him grounded.
Later that evening, as the sun began to set, we all sat around the table, sharing stories and laughter. Grandpa, sitting beside grandma, seemed more present than he had in a long time. He listened intently, his hand never leaving hers.
Family having a celebration | Source: Pexels
I watched them, feeling a mix of sadness and gratitude. Alzheimer’s might take away his memories, but it could never erase the love that had built our family. That day, we were reminded of the power of that love, and it gave us the strength to face whatever came next.
As I looked at my grandparents, their fingers intertwined, I couldn’t help but think of one of grandpa’s favorite sayings: “True love is like a lighthouse, it doesn’t move, it stands tall, guiding you through the darkest of storms.” At that moment, I understood exactly what he meant.
Elderly couple having a romantic moment | Source: Pexels
Leave a Reply