Tyler proposed over takeout and wine, and I said yes without hesitation. We started planning a quirky wedding, perfectly “us.” But then I met his mom, Patricia—polite at first, but clearly judgmental. After dinner one night, she pulled Tyler aside. He came back saying she thought I wasn’t “future material” because of my career and hobbies—and shockingly, he agreed. He called off the wedding.

I was crushed but kept my cool. Instead of blowing up, I invited him to one last “goodbye dinner.” I made it lovely—pasta, dessert, even a parting gift: a tattoo voucher from my friend Devon.