I Refused to Ruin My Honeymoon Because of a Family Emergency

When we marry, we make a vow to stick together through all of life’s ups and downs. But when tragedy struck right after their wedding, Suzy and her husband found themselves divided. A car accident involving his parents left Suzy’s husband wanting to stay by their side, while Suzy insisted they go on their long-awaited honeymoon. She felt the trip, which had been planned for a year, couldn’t be postponed. What followed was a series of heartbreaking events, leading Suzy to write to us for advice. Here is Suzy’s letter:

“We’d been planning our European honeymoon for over a year. On the way home from our wedding, my in-laws were involved in a car crash. Thankfully, they survived, but they were badly injured. My husband said he couldn’t leave them in the hospital, but I told him, ‘I’m your family now too. Don’t ruin our dream trip—we’ve already paid for everything!’ He refused, so I went on the honeymoon alone.

While on the trip, I was scrolling through Facebook and saw a picture of him having coffee with a female friend. I called him right away, saying, ‘It doesn’t seem like you’re spending much time in the hospital after all.’ He seemed irritated and responded, ‘This was taken in the hospital cafeteria. My friend Amy came to support me during this tough time, unlike you.’

After ten days, I returned from the honeymoon, and when I walked into our home, I found a note on the table that read: ‘It’s better if we spend more time apart. It seems like you don’t understand the value of family.’

I’m devastated. It feels like my marriage ended before it even started, but I still believe he should have come with me on the honeymoon. What should I do?”

• Suzy

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Suzy. We understand how complex and painful this situation is, and we’ve compiled some suggestions to help you navigate through it:

1. Open and honest communication: Sit down with your husband and have an open discussion about how both of you felt during this time. Acknowledge his need to be with his family during the crisis, but also share how hurt and lonely you felt going on the honeymoon alone. Understanding each other’s perspectives without judgment can help both of you process the situation and work towards healing.
2. Consider couples’ counseling: Given the high emotions and misunderstandings, it might be helpful to seek professional counseling. A therapist can create a safe environment for both of you to express your feelings and concerns, helping you work through the deeper issues, such as differing views on family and priorities. This could be a powerful step towards rebuilding your relationship.
3. Reflect on priorities and compromises: Take some time to think about the situation from a broader perspective. Consider whether a compromise, such as postponing the honeymoon for a short time to support his family, could have been a better solution. Reflecting on these decisions might help you handle future conflicts with more balance and understanding.
4. Rebuild trust and connection: To mend the damage caused, try focusing on ways to rebuild the connection between you and your husband. Since the honeymoon didn’t go as planned, perhaps consider planning a smaller, more intimate getaway or activities that you can both enjoy. Quality time together can help rebuild trust and bring healing to your relationship, showing your commitment to moving forward.

Another wedding that took a surprising turn was Norma’s son’s special day. His mother-in-law secretly added non-vegan options to the menu, ignoring the bride’s preferences, sparking outrage. The bride’s reaction? Unexpected, and it led to a shocking response from Norma’s son.