The adoption agency found him on their doorstep (yeah, like a movie, I know) with just a note saying his name was Martin.

He was still a baby, so I decided to rename him Dylan, and it’s been just us against the world ever since. It’s hard raising a child on my own, but it’s been the most rewarding time in my life.

Every holiday became more special since I adopted him, and my favorite was Christmas. Dylan was a fuzzy baby, and I hate crowds, so instead of going to the mall, I started searching for a Santa I could hire for a photo.

I discovered a photography studio that had its own actor, and I took my son there. However, as Dylan grew up, I thought about mixing things up.

Over three years ago, as I was still trying to come up with ideas for better Christmas traditions, I found a flyer stuck on my doorstep. It said: “Professional actor available to visit your home dressed as Santa Claus to surprise your child.”

There was a name and a phone number, and honestly? It felt heaven-sent. So, I called, and soon, Harold entered our lives.

He dragged Santa around our tiny living room and showed him every single ornament on our small, weirdly decorated tree. Meanwhile, I watched from the old, thrifted couch.

But looking back, I should’ve noticed the red flags. That day, Harold stayed for THREE HOURS. He built block towers with Dylan, read stories, and even helped bake cookies.

I tried to pay him extra (which I honestly couldn’t really afford), but he straight up refused and asked me to please call him next Christmas.

He got personal playtime with Santa in our living room. But, I kept thinking, “Doesn’t this guy have other houses to visit?”

One time I asked him about it. “You really don’t have to stay this long. Other families must be waiting,” I hinted, trying to be subtle about it.

He just smiled and said, “Oh no, Christmas Eve is reserved just for special boys like Dylan.” Again, looking back now… yeah. Something was up.

Dylan also became used to his Santa privilege and went ALL IN on these visits. He would deep clean his room (I mean, as best as a kid could) and do extra chores. As he told me, “Santa would want to see I’m being good.”

Fast-forward to this past Christmas. Dylan was eight and still believed in Santa, but he was slowly getting to that age where kids started asking questions.

As always, our living room was in full Christmas mode with lights everywhere, dollar store stockings by our fake fireplace (hey, we work with what we got), and our trusty artificial tree covered in eight years of random ornaments.

Dylan was excitedly talking about his science project to Harold when he made a wrong move, and suddenly, hot cocoa was covering Santa’s whole suit.

“Don’t worry, my friend. Even Santa has accidents sometimes,” he laughed, then looked at me. “Mind if I use your bathroom to clean up?”

I nodded and rushed to grab him a towel from the closet, and when I went to hand it to him… oh, boy. He had taken off the top of his costume and…no! This is not one of those stories.

What struck me speechless was a weird crescent-shaped birthmark on Harold’s back. It was identical to Dylan’s. What were the odds?

But wait, it gets stranger. On the bathroom counter, I saw keys to a Mercedes. Since when does a part-time Santa actor (who works for a less-than-averaged income family) drive a car like that? Also, it wasn’t outside. Did he park it far away?

Anyway, I tried to play it cool and handed over the towel without looking. But my mind was RACING.

Back in the living room, Dylan was setting up some board game Santa had said he could open early. I sat there trying to make everything make sense. The birthmark, the car, the way he always spent so much time with us…

But what happened next was the real kicker.

Harold came out of the bathroom and said, “So, Martin, ready to play again?”

I lost it. Jumped up and yelled, “WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!”

Poor Dylan froze, and Harold’s mouth dropped wide.

“Mommy?” Dylan’s voice was tiny. “Why are you yelling at Santa?”

I had to take a step back and inhale deeply. Also, I sent Dylan upstairs for a second. Then, I turned my eyes to “Santa.”

“The birthmark. Those keys. And you called him Martin. Start talking. Now,” I demanded, running my hands through my hair.

To my shock, Harold laughed. But it wasn’t humorously. It was like releasing a huge worry. He took off his fake beard and I saw his square jaw for the first time.

He looked handsome. Young. Around 40 years old, I’d say. Somehow, he also looked…rich. But most of all, he looked like my son.

Harold saw my face, and he nodded. “That’s correct. I’m his father,” he said breathlessly, and his shoulders slumped.

The background: Years ago, he was young and broke when Dylan was born. His mother left them, and Harold had no way to support his kid or any family to help out.

And years ago, he made up the whole Santa thing just to spend time with Dylan once a year.

He’d gotten his life together by then after starting some successful business but didn’t want to mess up Dylan’s happy life with me.

I won’t lie, I was mad. But also… I got it? Like, he found this weird way to be there for his son without taking him from me.

After that conversation, I asked him for some time. Harold nodded, went back to being Santa, said goodbye to Dylan, and left. But I had his contact information, and we talked regularly.

“No, silly,” I said and sighed. “You should know by now that Santa is a real man under that suit. The one who visits us every year is called Harold.”

After a few hours, Dylan was his usual self, chatty and excited. He wanted to show off to his biological father. By the end of the night, we agreed to set up visits every weekend.

Every weekend turned into every other night… And every other night turned into every day. To my even bigger surprise, Harold took an interest in me too.

As Santa, he had asked about me, but I always thought that was just out of politeness. Not anymore, though. It took us three months after the big revelation to confess our feelings for each other.

Life is weird sometimes. My kid got the dad he never thought he’d get, I found love, and it all started because I hired a Santa!

Our family of two was doing fine, even if money was never plentiful. But along with love, Harold gave us the world with the success he built after struggling for years. It was my dream come true.

Also, we’re getting married this Christmas!!

Here’s another story: Martha’s joy at her son’s wedding turns to shock when she notices a familiar birthmark on the bride. The discovery unveils a deep secret from Martha’s past and forces her to make a heart-wrenching decision.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Adopting Nicholas was the answer to everything my husband Camden and I had dreamed of, but then a wealthy couple arrived, offering him everything we couldn’t. I feared we’d lost him — until he made a choice no one expected.

But that dream got cut short the day my doctor sat me down and said the word “infertile.” It felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under me, leaving me to wonder if my marriage would even survive the weight of that news.

I was terrified Camden would leave me. After all, he had every right to want kids of his own, right? But he surprised me in the most beautiful way. He didn’t flinch. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and said, “Family isn’t just about biology. Maybe there’s another way.”

And that’s when the idea of adoption took root in my heart.

We started the process slowly. Foster care visits, endless paperwork, and meetings with social workers. Camden was a rock through it all, never losing faith, even when I did. Then, one day, everything changed.

We met Nicholas.

He was five, with the biggest brown eyes and a shy smile that made my heart do flips. The moment I saw him, something inside me whispered, this is your son, Zelda.

“Do you like trucks, buddy?” Camden asked him, crouching down to his level. Nicholas nodded, not saying a word, but his eyes lit up for just a second. That was enough for me.

Months passed, and we were so close to making him ours. The paperwork, the home visits — everything was falling into place. Then, out of nowhere, everything took a turn.

“We’ve had another family express interest in Nicholas,” our social worker, Mrs. Jameson, said one afternoon. “They’re quite wealthy and very interested in adopting him.”

“I understand, Zelda,” Mrs. Jameson replied. “But they have the right to apply as well. Nicholas will be given time with both families and ultimately, it will be up to him.”

That’s when we met them. The Featheringhams.

They strolled into the foster home as if they owned the place — polished, perfect, with an air of entitlement that filled the room.

Mrs. Featheringham, tall and blonde, with a diamond necklace glittering around her throat, looked me up and down as if I were something unpleasant she’d found on the bottom of her shoe. Her husband stood beside her, equally well-groomed, surveying Camden and me like we were unworthy competition.

“I have to say,” Mrs. Featheringham began, her voice dripping with condescension, “I’m surprised someone like you would think you have a chance. I mean, just look at yourself—plain, middle-class. What exactly do you have to offer Nicholas?”

I could feel the heat rising to my face, but I forced myself to stay calm. Camden’s hand tightened around mine, steadying me.

Her words were sharp, meant to cut deep, and they did. I could feel Camden tense beside me, but I held him back with a slight squeeze of his hand.

“We’re the kind of family a child like Nicholas deserves,” she continued, her voice cold. “You should do what’s best for him and step aside. He’ll never choose you. Why would he? Just look at the difference between us.”

Camden couldn’t hold back any longer. “We might not have all the money in the world,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “but what we can offer Nicholas is love, stability, and a real home. That’s what matters.”

Mrs. Jameson, sensing the rising tension, stepped in. “Both families will have a week with Nicholas. After that, he’ll make his decision.”

A week. One week to convince this little boy that we could give him the love and life he deserved.

I took a deep breath and nodded, but inside, my heart was breaking. What if Nicholas didn’t choose us?

Nicholas talked about how they’d bought him new clothes, the latest toys, and basically every child’s dream. Every time he mentioned it, I felt the hope slipping away from us.

Our week, in contrast, was far more humble — and to be honest, it seemed like everything went wrong. We had planned to take Nicholas to the zoo on our first day, thinking he’d love the animals.

But wouldn’t you know it? It rained all day. So instead, we stayed inside and built forts out of old blankets in the living room. Camden even made a “campfire” by arranging some pillows in a circle and holding a flashlight underneath them, making Nicholas giggle.

Nicholas nodded, smiling shyly. “Yeah, it’s cool.”

It wasn’t flashy, and definitely not what we’d planned, but for a moment, I thought maybe it wasn’t such a disaster after all.

The next day, we tried to take him to a local arcade, hoping to have a fun time. But almost every machine there was broken.

We ended up leaving after a few rounds of air hockey and went to the park nearby instead, sitting under a tree and playing board games we’d brought from home. Camden even found a chess set and started teaching Nicholas how to play.

“That’s because it’s a very serious game,” Camden said, leaning in like he was sharing a big secret. “But you know what? The real fun is in breaking the rules every now and then.”

Nicholas giggled as Camden made a rook do a silly dance across the board. It wasn’t what we’d planned, but we were making the best of it. Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Nicholas was comparing our simple activities to the extravagant week he’d spent with the Featheringhams.

“Guess ants like peanut butter more than we do,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Nicholas grinned. “Can we eat somewhere else?”

We ended up at a little diner around the corner, sitting in a booth and sharing sandwiches and fries. Camden told Nicholas funny stories about his childhood, like the time he’d fallen into a lake trying to catch frogs. Nicholas laughed so hard that he nearly spilled his soda.

One night, during a movie, he curled up on the couch and fell asleep in my lap, his tiny hand resting on mine. It felt so natural, like he belonged there.

On the last night of our week together, Camden and I were both quiet as we watched Nicholas sleep. I could see the worry in Camden’s eyes, even though he tried to hide it.

“I don’t know, Z,” he whispered. “What if it’s not enough? What if we’re not enough?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I think… I think we’ve shown him what really matters.”

Camden nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t convinced. And to be honest, neither was I.

Then came the final day. The day Nicholas had to choose.

We sat in a small room at the foster home, Camden and I on one side, the Featheringhams on the other. Nicholas sat beside Mrs. Jameson, the social worker, looking down at his hands.

Nicholas nodded, glancing at us. My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.

“And remember,” she continued, “we can take you on vacations, send you to the best schools… you’d never want for anything, sweetheart.”

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. How could we possibly compete with all of that? What could we offer him that they couldn’t?

Mrs. Jameson turned to Nicholas. “Nicholas, it’s your decision. Take your time.”

I felt Camden’s grip on my hand tighten, but I kept my eyes on Nicholas, my heart sinking with each word.

“But…” Nicholas paused, looking directly at us. “But I feel like I have a family when I’m with them.”

The room went silent.

He pointed at Camden and me. “They don’t take me to big places or give me lots of stuff… but I feel happy when I’m with them. And I feel safe. And I like the stories they tell me. It feels like home.”

My breath caught in my throat. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Camden looked just as shocked.

Nicholas smiled at us shyly. “I want to stay with them.”

For a moment, no one spoke. Mrs. Featheringham’s face tightened, but she didn’t say anything. Mrs. Jameson smiled warmly.

“Then that’s settled,” she said softly.

Nicholas chose us.

I blinked back tears as Camden wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close. We had worried, doubted, and feared that we weren’t enough.

But in the end, love, trust, and the simple moments had been enough. Nicholas didn’t want a life of luxury; he wanted a family.

And he had found that with us.

If this story tugged at your heartstrings, here’s another one that you might like even more: Larriel moves into a fancy neighborhood with her two sons, hoping for a fresh start. But whispers and cold stares follow them as the neighbors forbid their children from playing with her boys. One unexpected act of bravery, however, changes everything…

Click here to read the whole story.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

When Jeremy and his wife, Nina, get home from a vacation, they are horrified to find Ted, Jeremy’s slob of a brother, in their home. After a confrontation which leads to angry parents and Nina moving out, Jeremy forces Ted’s hand, making him move out…

There were beer cans everywhere, dirty clothes tossed in random piles, and the smell, my goodness, the smell. And there, sprawled out on my couch like he owned the place, was my older brother, Theodore, or Ted, as everyone called him.

“Ted, what the hell? What is this? Why are you in my house?” I asked, trying to stay calm, though my blood pressure was rising by the second.

Nina, my wife, looked around our living room and rolled her eyes. In that moment, I knew that I had to fix it or I’d have to deal with a very upset wife.

My brother looked up, casually, like I hadn’t just caught him red-handed.

“Oh, hey, Jeremy,” he said. “Mom and Dad figured that it would be easier if I just moved in while you were gone. You’ve got all this space, and it’s not like you’re using it, you know? You and Nina are either working or on vacation.”

I blinked, trying to process the audacity of his words.

He rolled his eyes, lifting his feet onto the couch and crossing them like he was about to watch a movie.

“Yeah, so what?” he said. “I needed a place to stay, and it’s not like you’d say yes. So, we decided to skip that part. Quit being so uptight, Jeremy. Just help a brother out.”

It was like a switch flipped inside me, the years of watching him leech off my parents, his life one big excuse after another, and somehow, he was the victim here.

Now, he’d taken over my house. Really?

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, my phone rang. Mom. Of course.

I answered, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible.

“Mom, did you and Dad seriously let Theodore move into my house while I was away?”

“Why are you using my full name?” Ted chimed in from the background.

I ignored him.

“Jeremy, don’t be so dramatic,” my mother said, not even a hint of apology in her voice. “Ted needed a place to stay, and you’ve got all that room. You don’t even have kids yet. So what’s the harm in helping out your brother?”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

“Mom, he is 42 years old. He isn’t a kid. You’ve let him mooch off you for years, and you want to dump him on me? Are you being serious? Why do you want to treat him like he’s a kid just out of college?”

My mother’s tone shifted, and she immediately went on the defense.

“Oh, mooching, huh?” she said. “I’m disappointed in you, Jeremy. He’s been through a lot. You don’t understand what it’s like to be him. You’ve always had everything together. Ted needs a little more help. And as family, you owe it to him.”

Before I could respond, my father took the phone, his voice taking over my ear, sounding even more irritated.

“Jeremy, stop being selfish. You’ve got the money, the house, the wife. What’s the big deal? It’s your job to take care of your family. Ted is your brother. He is staying.”

I almost lost my mind. I almost let my anger take over me. But then I remembered that it just wasn’t my style. Ted might’ve thought that he had won this time, but I had a plan.

From the couch, Ted snorted.

“Oh, come on. Don’t act like you’re all high and mighty. It’s just a house,” he said.

“But you’ve been freeloading off Mom and Dad for years. Why should I trust that you’d do anything differently here? Why can’t you stay with one of your kids and their mom?”

I thought that was the card that would have frustrated him. But he didn’t even flinch.

“Because I’m family, that’s why. Why do you always act like I’m a stranger? It’s my right to stay here. Mom and Dad said that you’d be like this, but I didn’t think you’d be this bad.”

I was done.

“Fine, Ted,” I said. “You want to stay? Sure. Let’s see how that works out.”

I was fine with being horrible to my brother, I mean, someone had to teach him a lesson. But when I went upstairs to tell Nina about everything that had happened on the phone, she was highly frustrated.

“I’m going to fix it. I promise you, Nina. I’ll make this right. But I’m going to teach him a lesson first.”

“Well, I don’t want to be here for it. You have a week. Get him out, or I’ll stay gone,” she said.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked.

“I’m going to my sister’s house, Jeremy. I can’t stand your brother, and I will not stay here while he’s here,” she said, packing a suitcase as she spoke.

“I’ll make this right, my love,” I promised her.

For the next week, I made Ted’s life a waking nightmare without ever raising my voice. And with Nina gone, I had a bigger incentive to get him out.

The first thing I did was disconnect the Wi-Fi. Ted, who spent most of his days glued to his phone or binge-watching shows on the TV, was completely lost.

He complained, but I just smiled.

“Oh, the internet? Yeah, it’s been spotty.”

Next, I shut off the hot water. Ted loved his long, lazy showers, but now he was greeted with ice-cold water every morning.

Then, there was the food.

I stocked the fridge with nothing but tofu, vegetables, and the healthiest food I could find. Ted hated anything that wasn’t greasy or fried. And now, every time he opened the fridge, he groaned like I was starving him.

“You’re family, right?” I’d say. “I’m sure you can deal with a little inconvenience. But it’s for my health, so you’ll be fine.”

To top it all off, I started blasting music at 6 a.m. every day while I had my treadmill session in the gym room. I figured if Ted wasn’t going to contribute to the household, the least he could do was get up early.

“Jeremy, man, this is BS,” Ted said one morning, his voice filled with frustration. “I can’t stay here. How do you live like this? No Wi-Fi, no hot water, and no food I enjoy. This is torture.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you’d be grateful to stay, Ted. It’s not like you’re paying rent or contributing anything. What’s the problem?”

He grumbled something under his breath, clearly fuming.

“Forget it, I’m going back to Mom and Dad’s.”

As he stormed out, dragging his junk with him, I couldn’t help but smile.

But I wasn’t done yet. I cleaned the house top to bottom, went out to get proper groceries, and cooked Nina a good meal. I had already called her during the day and told her that Ted was gone.

“Come home, honey,” I said.

“I’ll see you later,” she said, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

“Mom, Dad,” I said on the phone. “Ted’s out of my house. And he won’t be coming back again. He’s your problem again.”

My mother was furious.

“Jeremy, you can’t just kick him out! Where will he go?”

“That’s up to Ted, Mom. He’s 42. If you guys want to keep coddling him, go ahead. But I’m done.”

After that, I heard that Ted moved back into my parents’ house, but they demanded that he transform the garage into his own space. They forced him to get a job.

What would you have done?

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

My Husband ‘Accidentally’ Locked Me in the Basement to Watch Basketball with His Friends at Our House

Dani cannot stand her husband’s friends. So when Ethan brings up the possibility of having them over to watch a basketball game, she shuts down the idea. On the evening of the game, Dani finds herself going into the basement to get a pack of beer, but before she knows it, she’s locked inside. What happens next?…

But my husband, Ethan?

He’s so different from these guys. At 35, he’s a successful manager at a tech company, and for reasons that I will never understand, he’s still friends with the same guys he went to high school with.

They’re loud, rude, and completely unlike Ethan. They’re everything he left behind when he made something of himself.

“Dani, it’s just one game,” he said that night, sitting in the kitchen with a hopeful grin. “The guys really want to watch the game here. They’re dying to see our new TV setup. It’ll be fun!”

I sighed, trying to stay calm. I could almost see the dreadful evening unfolding. I knew that Ethan’s friends would take over the house, inappropriate comments getting into every conversation.

“Ethan, you know how I feel about them. Every single time they come over, it’s like our house gets turned into a frat house. I’m not cleaning up after them again. It’s not happening.”

Read the full story here.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

We’re gathered here today to celebrate… outrageous wedding demands! From pay-per-slice cake to gift lists that rival Christmas, you’ll be grateful your invite got ‘lost.’ Get ready to laugh (and cry) as we dive into 10 weddings where the vows come with a price tag!

1. Vegas, Baby! And Don’t Forget to Bring a Gift You’ll Never See in Action

My cousin Susy’s wedding was a masterclass in audacity. First, she sent out save-the-dates. Then… crickets. Getting antsy, I messaged her about invites.

“Oh, we’re just doing a small Vegas thing now. Money’s tight,” she chirped.

A week later, everyone who didn’t make the cut got a lovely little notice. “We’re off to Vegas! Here’s our registry — gifts only, please!”

The kicker? This chick was my maid of honor, and I’d covered all her expenses.

Did she get me a gift? Nope. Now she wanted me to shell out $500 for a mixer I couldn’t even use to drown my sorrows at her reception. Hard pass, cuz. Vegas, baby… without your overpriced kitchen gadgets!

My wedding was a shoestring affair. We’re talking $80 dress, $30 for my maid of honor’s gown. But my dear friend decided her frock needed some TLC.

“Sure,” I said, picturing a nip here, a tuck there.

Turns out, she went full Project Runway, racking up $100 in alterations! Her dress now cost more than my entire bridal ensemble. But wait, there’s more! Shoe shopping rolled around.

“I’ll spot you,” I offered when she came up short. She picked some pricey kicks, but hey, her dime, right? Wrong again.

My bank account wept silently as I realized generosity and wedding planning don’t always mix.

3. The Wedding Where Half the Guests Got Sheet Cake and the Other Half Got… Everything Else!

Imagine throwing a wedding with a VIP section. That’s exactly what my “friends” did.

They cooked up a two-tier guest system that’d make a nightclub bouncer blush.

Tier 1? The chosen few. Fancy wristbands, full banquet access, and an open bar. Living large!

Oh, and don’t forget the cake — fancy fondant for the elites, grocery store sheet cake for the rest of us.

The pièce de résistance? A “sponsor our honeymoon” donation box, because nothing says “We value your presence” like begging for vacation cash after treating half your guests like second-class citizens.

Picture this: a couple so hellbent on a fairytale church wedding that they turned into medieval tax collectors. Instead of a registry, they demanded COLD, HARD CASH. Yep!

And we’re not talking “slip a $20 in a card” money. These folks wanted enough to make your accountant sweat.

Unsurprisingly, the guest list started shrinking faster than a wool sweater in hot water.

But here’s the real kicker! All that dough couldn’t buy them happiness. They didn’t even make it to their first anniversary.

5. No Pics, Please! How My MIL Tried to Censor Our Wedding for Family Privacy

My MIL Daisy had some… interesting requests for our wedding.

Picture this: we’re at my final dress fitting, and she drops this gem: “Don’t post any pictures on social media. I don’t want my family to see.”

Um, what? We’d already downsized from a big shindig to a woodsy elopement (with a promise of a church do-over later). Now she’s trying to censor our memories?

My fiancé backed me up, and Daisy miraculously found her chill. The wedding was perfect, and you bet your bottom dollar those pics hit Facebook before the cake was cut!

6. Bad Hair Day Turns into a Soap Opera Slapfest at My Sister’s Wedding

Meet Linda, my half-sister and wannabe hair dictator. For her wedding, she demanded all bridesmaids sport identical ‘dos.

Never mind that we had a veritable sampler platter of hair types and lengths. Oh, and did I mention the crack-of-dawn appointment at some ritzy, far-flung salon?

But wait, there’s more!

Linda’s mom decided to play bouncer, trying to kick Mom and me out of dinner. When Mom stood her ground, SLAP! Yep, Linda’s mom went full soap opera on my mother’s face.

Needless to say, Dad and Bro bailed on the big day, along with most of our side. All this over some up-dos. Talk about a bad hair day!

Buckle up, folks, ’cause Roger and I are on a wild ride to Wedding Wonderland. Our pals can’t seem to nail down a single detail, but boy, do they have demands!

First, it was a tropical getaway. “We don’t want to exclude anyone,” they said while planning a bash more remote than a desert island. “Oops, military duty calls!” Scratch that. Now we’re headed interstate, but don’t worry, it’ll still cost an arm and a leg!

They insist we all bunk at the same hotel. Slight problem: 100 guests, 10 rooms, and a nightly rate that’d make a rockstar blush. Roger and I are about ready to elope ourselves just to escape this circus. At this rate, we’ll be living on ramen for a year just to afford their “special day.”

8. Ahoy, Guests! Please Help Us Buy Our Dream Boat Instead of Toasting the Bride & Groom

Let me introduce you to my buddy’s cousin Jeremy and his blushing bride. These two lovebirds had a dream — a dream of cruising the high seas in style.

So naturally, they decided their wedding was the perfect opportunity to crowdfund their nautical ambitions. Forget toasters and towels, these modern-day pirates wanted cold, hard cash to buy a boat.

I hear the S.S. Entitlement is lovely this time of year!

9. $1,000 Entry Fee to Goldilocks’ Wedding… Because Love Ain’t Cheap!

Imagine my surprise when I opened a wedding invite that came with a price tag.

My acquaintance, let’s call her “Goldilocks,” had a very specific vision for her big day. And by vision, I mean a minimum cash gift of $1,000 per guest.

We were instructed to label our gifts AND envelopes, lest our generous contributions go unnoticed. Heaven forbid she thank the wrong person for bankrolling her extravaganza!

I’m still trying to decide which is more breathtaking: her audacity or her math skills. Maybe I’ll send her a lovely “thank you” card for teaching me the true meaning of “gold digger!”

Hold onto your hats, folks, because this one takes the wedding cake.

Picture this: you receive a save-the-date that looks suspiciously like an itemized bill. That’s right, these creative lovebirds decided to charge admission to their “destination” nuptials.

As if jet-setting to Nowheresville wasn’t pricey enough, we now had the privilege of paying for every morsel and moment of their big day. But wait, there’s more!

Turns out, the father of the bride was the maestro behind this matrimonial money grab. Shockingly, the wedding was a disaster. Who could’ve seen that coming? I hear they’re planning a vow renewal. P.S. I’ll be busy washing my hair that decade.

There you have it, folks, ten tales of wedding day wackiness that’ll make you appreciate eloping. Got your own story of nuptial nonsense? Drop it in the comments!

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

My daughter’s seventh birthday was supposed to be a day of celebration until she blew out her candles and wished for something that silenced the room. Moments later, she revealed what she’d found in her dad’s briefcase and left us all reeling.

I’m Marilyn, and my husband, Bruce, and I were so excited about our daughter Joyce’s seventh birthday. We wanted to make it a special day everyone would remember.

I put a lot of effort into planning the party, which we were hosting in our backyard. I ordered a large pink cake adorned with seven candles and decorated every possible area with festive balloons.

Yet as I moved around, greeting everyone and making sure the kids had snacks, both inside the house and outside in the yard, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

Joyce, my sweet little girl who normally lit up any room, had been unusually quiet all afternoon. Even as her friends arrived and excitement filled the air, she stayed close to me.

Her glittery princess dress sparkled under the light, but her face was subdued. At one point, when the party was in full swing, I knelt beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Don’t you want to play with your friends?”

She shrugged, her eyes darting away. “I guess.”

“Are you nervous about all the people?” I asked. “It’s okay to feel a little shy.”

“I’m fine, Mommy,” she mumbled.

Bruce, my husband, appeared then with his usual easygoing grin in place. “Pumpkin, come help me get a game of tag going,” he said, clapping his hands together. “We need the birthday girl to truly have fun!”

Joyce hesitated but nodded. For a moment, she seemed distracted, but the serious look in her eyes didn’t vanish.

I tried not to let my worry show as more guests arrived.

Both sets of grandparents were there. My mom fussed over the food in the kitchen, and Harold, Bruce’s dad, wanted to chat with me. The others also needed attention. In short, it was a little hectic.

When I finally had a chance, I searched for my daughter. Her friends had just finished a round of tag and were laughing, but she was once again subdued. The game hadn’t worked to uplift her mood, so I had an idea.

“Joyce, let’s open some presents!” I called out, waving her over.

She nodded and walked slowly to the table where the gifts were stacked. The guests gathered around, their conversations fading as she began to unwrap the first box.

It was a dollhouse from my parents, complete with miniature furniture. “Thank you, Grandma and Grandpa,” she said softly, setting it aside.

Next came a fluffy unicorn from Bruce’s parents, which earned a polite “Thanks,” but no real excitement. Gift after gift, her reaction was the same: polite, reserved, almost mechanical.

I kept smiling, encouraging her, but inside, I was starting to panic.

When she finished, I clasped my hands together and tried to sound peppy. “Alright, everyone, time for cake!”

The kids cheered as we brought out the cake. Joyce climbed onto a chair at the head of the table and finally smiled at the seven candles flickering as if this moment was all she ever wanted in the first place.

My heart eased somewhat as people started singing “Happy Birthday.”

Bruce stood beside me, his arm brushing against mine, while I held up my camera to capture the moment after she blew out her candles.

“Make it a good one, sweetheart,” I said just as the song was ending.

My daughter blew out her candles and before people could cheer, she uttered her wish loudly, “I wish Dad never leaves me for his new baby.”

The world froze. An earthquake could’ve rocked our town, and none of us would have noticed.

I only snapped out of my stupor because Bruce exhaled loudly beside me. Glancing up, I noticed his smile was gone, and his face had paled. But my attention went back to my daughter, who reached into her pocket and offered me something.

“I found this in Dad’s briefcase,” she said, biting her lip.

My hands wrapped around a small, pink pacifier with a note tied to it. “You’ll become a dad soon,” it read in neat handwriting.

I stared at the item while my mind tried to make sense of this situation. Slowly, I turned back to Bruce, who avoided my gaze, guilt evident in his eyes.

“What is this?” I asked, holding up the pacifier. “Bruce, what does this mean?”

Bruce opened his mouth, but no words came out. He looked at me, then at Joyce, and back at me again. “It’s not what you think,” he finally muttered.

“Then explain it,” I snapped, struggling not to yell. “Why does our daughter think you’re leaving us for another baby? And why was this in your briefcase?”

Joyce’s lower lip quivered as she looked between us. “Please Daddy,” she begged, her lip quivering. “I wished it, so you can’t leave us now.”

I went to her side and pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” I said firmly, stroking her hair. “Daddy’s not leaving us. We’re going to figure this out, okay?”

Everyone was still staring, so I gestured to my mother. She understood and took Joyce aside, encouraging everyone to get the party going again. Meanwhile, Bruce and I slipped off to our room.

Once inside, he sighed and sank onto our bed, his shoulders slumping. “I didn’t know Joyce had found that,” he said, shaking his head. “I didn’t want anyone to find it.”

“For Pete’s sake! Just tell me what’s going on!” I demanded, crossing my arms and pacing around the room.

He hesitated once. “The pacifier belonged to an employee at work,” he began. “A woman named Claire. She passed away recently, and she was pregnant, it seems.”

I frowned. “Oh, wow. But why do you have this?” I held up the pacifier again.

Bruce looked away, and I felt a knot form in my stomach. But he quickly turned back to me.

“When she died, I had to go through her desk and fill a box with her things. I found the pacifier and the note. It was meant for her husband, I assume,” he confessed, rubbing his neck. “I guess she was going to surprise him with the news. But when I saw it, I didn’t know what to do. He came in later that day to pick up the box. Honey, he was so devastated. I just couldn’t bring myself to give it to him, to make everything worse. So… I kept it.”

I slumped on the bed next to him, exhaling loudly. “Are you serious? Why would you—” I paused, rubbing my eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Bruce glanced at my face. “I didn’t want you to misunderstand. I didn’t want you to think there was something inappropriate going on between Claire and me. I thought I could figure out the right time to give it to him, but it’s been days, and I feel so bad about taking it.”

I nodded, understanding better now. I reached up to wrap an arm around him, and we stayed silent for several minutes.

“I handled everything wrong, but the last thing I expected was Joyce finding it and misinterpreting it like she did,” Bruce said. “She’s smarter than I gave her credit for.”

“She is,” I agreed, standing. “All children are, actually. So, let’s go out there and explain everything.”

***

“Sweetheart, Daddy’s not going anywhere,” I said softly, after cornering my daughter in the backyard for a second. “He was just trying to help someone, but he made a mistake. We’re going to be okay.”

Joyce still looked worried. “He’s not leaving us for another baby?” she asked. “Charlie’s dad left for another baby.”

Bruce and I exchanged a look, understanding her wish better now. Charlie was a kid at her school who moved away because his parents got divorced… over an affair.

“No, kiddo,” Bruce said, emphasizing each word. “There’s no other baby, and I shouldn’t have kept the pacifier in my briefcase. I’m going to return it soon.”

“Now, will you enjoy the rest of your party?” I asked, hopeful.

A tentative but truly genuine smile broke over her face as she nodded. A second later, she ran off to her friends, who luckily seemed unfazed by the issue with the pacifier.

The adults were a whole other story, so we discreetly had to clarify the situation to everyone. Bruce apologized, and even his father scolded him for taking the pacifier.

“Son, that man needs to know about this, even if it hurts him more,” Harold insisted, frowning. “It’s simply not your secret to keep.”

My husband nodded seriously and promised to rectify his mistake the following Monday.

After all the adults were told, the party continued. Luckily, my daughter’s lighter mood made everything better, so her birthday didn’t turn into a complete scandal. We will certainly always remember it, though.

By the time everyone left, I was drained.

Joyce fell straight asleep in her dress, surrounded by her presents. As I changed her into pajamas, I thought about having a talk with her the next day about rummaging through our things. But I wasn’t worried. She was a quick learner.

When I went back to our bedroom, though, I found Bruce staring at the pink pacifier clutched in his hand. I realized then that he was the one who learned a lesson about rummaging and taking people’s things.

I felt terrible for the family who had lost their future, and I knew he blamed himself for possibly making things worse. Therefore, later that night, I held him tightly, telling him everything would be alright when he returned the pacifier and apologized.

Here’s another story: When my 5-year-old daughter, Lily, handed me the letter she’d written to Santa, I expected toys and gadgets. But her last wish made my stomach drop. It wasn’t about her. It was about her grandma and my husband. Her innocent words left me questioning my marriage and wondering what was happening behind my back.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Emma’s life was at its breaking point. She was alone, grieving, and down to her last $50. On a rainy night, she gave up half of it to help a struggling stranger at the grocery store. She expected nothing in return, but the very next day, that same man changed her life forever and left her in tears.

The rain pounded against my sweater as I trudged toward the grocery store, each drop soaking through the worn fabric like it had a personal vendetta. My sneakers squished with every step, and I shivered, hugging my arms to my chest.

“Just keep going, Emma,” I muttered to myself. “Mom always said tough times don’t last forever.”

This wasn’t where I thought I’d be at 23 — broke, exhausted, and living paycheck to paycheck. Last year, life had dealt me a double blow. My parents, the only family I had, died in a car crash.

Overnight, my world shattered. I’d been left alone, drowning in grief, and now, barely treading water under the weight of student loans and rent.

“Just get through this week, Emma,” I whispered to myself as the automatic doors hissed open. The fluorescent lights inside made everything look cold and lifeless, which was fitting, considering how I felt most days.

I grabbed a basket and began pacing the aisles, counting pennies in my head. Bread. Eggs. A can of soup if it was cheap enough.

“God, Mom,” I whispered, picking up a can of her favorite tomato soup. “I wish you were here. You always knew how to make something out of nothing.”

He was hunched over the conveyor belt, his hoodie drenched and clinging to his thin frame. His jeans were frayed, and his hands shook as he counted coins, muttering apologies to the cashier.

“I’m sorry… I think I’m short,” he stammered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the store. “Please, I haven’t eaten in two days. Can I just take the bread?”

The cashier, a girl who couldn’t have been much older than me, looked uncomfortable. “Sir, I’m sorry, but I can’t —”

“I’ll cover it,” I said, stepping forward without thinking.

“I know what it’s like,” I replied softly, pulling out the money. “To feel like the world’s turned its back on you. To wonder if anyone sees you anymore. Let me help. Please.”

His hands trembled as he gripped the edge of the counter. “But why would you —”

“Because someone once told me that kindness matters most when it costs something,” I said, thinking of my mother’s words. “And right now, this matters more than my own groceries.”

It wasn’t much. Just bread, canned soup, and milk. But it was more than he could afford, and almost more than I could, too.

His lips trembled as he took the bag from the cashier and turned to face me. “Thank you,” he whispered, clutching it tightly. “You have no idea what this means. I’ve lost everything recently, and I just…”

“Sometimes we all need a little help,” I said, touching his arm gently. “Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

“I will,” he nodded, his voice edged with emotion. “And someday, I hope I can repay this kindness.”

“Take care,” I said softly, watching as he shuffled out into the rain.

Later that night, as I sat in my tiny apartment eating my meager dinner, I thought about the man. “I hope you’re okay out there,” I whispered to the rain-streaked window. “Whoever you are, you’re about my father’s age. Just… just be alright.”

The next morning, my alarm blared at 7:00 a.m., jolting me awake. My stomach was already twisted in knots. It was my big interview — my one chance to claw my way out of this mess.

I stood before the mirror, adjusting my only blazer. “Come on, Emma,” I whispered to my reflection. “You can do this. Dad always said you were stronger than you knew. You were his lioness, remember?”

I threw on my blazer, pairing it with a blouse I’d ironed the night before. The scuffs on my heels were still there, no matter how much I tried to polish them away, but it was the best I could do.

“Let’s hope this is enough,” I muttered, brushing my hair. My hands shook as I slipped on my mother’s ring— the only piece of jewelry I had left. “Give me strength today, Mom.”

The office building was massive with glass walls and polished floors that made my heels click as I walked in. Everything about it screamed success. I clutched my resume tighter, trying to ignore the sinking feeling that I didn’t belong here.

“I’m Emma,” I managed, my voice steadier than I felt. “I have an interview at 9:00.”

She nodded, checking her computer. “Of course! Mr. Watson is expecting you.”

“Miss Emma?” the receptionist called moments later.

“Yes,” I said, stepping forward, my heart thundering.

She led me into a sleek boardroom with floor-to-ceiling windows. I tried to steady my breathing as I sat down, my nerves threatening to unravel me.

It was HIM. The man from the grocery store. But he wasn’t wearing a hoodie anymore. He was clean-shaven, in a tailored suit that looked like it cost more than my rent.

He walked to the head of the table, his movements calm and confident. “Good morning, everyone,” he said, his voice warm yet commanding. Then his eyes landed on me, and recognition flickered across his face.

“Emma, right?” he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Yes,” I replied. My mind was spinning, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.

The interview passed in a blur. Formal questions, my rehearsed answers, and the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. After it ended, he asked me to stay behind.

I nodded, my hands gripping the edge of my chair. “Last night, you were…”

“A broken man,” he finished, his eyes clouding with emotion. “A man who’d forgotten who he was.”

“I don’t understand.”

“My name is Watson,” he began. “I’m the CEO of this company.”

My mind reeled. CEO? How was that even possible?

“I wasn’t in a good place when we met,” he admitted. “I recently lost my wife, Sarah. She was… everything to me. We were married for 25 years, and then suddenly, she was gone due to cancer. It happened so fast, and I barely had time to say goodbye.”

“My car broke down last evening,” he continued. “I’d been walking for hours in the rain, trying to feel something. Anything but grief. I forgot my wallet, forgot who I was supposed to be. I just needed to remember what it was like to be human again.”

“I know that feeling,” I whispered, wiping away a tear. “After my parents died, I felt so lost. Sometimes I still do.”

He looked at me with understanding. “When you helped me last night, you didn’t see a CEO or a wealthy man. You saw someone in pain, and you reached out. You gave me your last dollars, didn’t you?”

“Why?” he asked softly. “Why help a stranger when you clearly needed it yourself?”

“Because my mom always told me that kindness is the one thing we can give that doesn’t cost us anything, even when we have nothing left. And helping you felt like helping myself somehow.”

Mr. Watson stood up, walking to the window. “Your mother was a wise woman.” He turned back to me, his eyes bright with tears. “You know, Sarah used to say the same thing. She believed in random acts of kindness, and in helping others even when it hurt. Last night, when you helped me… and it was like hearing her voice again.”

“And I’m sorry about your parents,” he said gently. “Life can be cruel sometimes.”

“Yes,” I whispered. “But sometimes it gives us moments of grace too.”

He smiled, walking back to his desk. “This morning, I saw your name and photo in the stack of applicants. Your qualifications are impressive, but your character… that’s what this company needs. What I need, if I’m honest. Someone who remembers that business isn’t just about profits… but about people. And compassion.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Does this mean…?”

I walked out of that building in a daze, clutching my offer letter like it might disappear if I let go. The rain from the night before had cleared, leaving the city bathed in sunlight.

Finding a quiet bench in a nearby park, I finally let myself break down. “Mom, Dad,” I sobbed, holding my mother’s ring. “I wish you could see this. I wish you could know that everything you taught me about kindness and strength mattered. It all mattered!”

Helping Mr. Watson had felt so small that night, just a quiet act of kindness in a world that felt so cruel. But to him, it had been everything. And somehow, that simple choice had changed both our lives.

As I stood up from the bench, my shoulders felt lighter for the first time in months. My parents’ loss still weighed heavily on my heart, but I knew they’d be proud of me.

“Thank you,” I whispered to the sky, clutching the letter close. “For teaching me that kindness always finds its way back home.”

Here’s another story: A teacher’s simple act of kindness changes the life of a troubled student after he sees the boy entering an abandoned house and follows him.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

A delivery man stopped traffic and helped a penniless old man cross the road, only to discover a brand new car in his garage the next day. He couldn’t even believe who had brought it and why.

Riding a few distances was not that hard, but things always got a little dicier when he had to cross the highway, mainly because it was snowing every once in a while this season. People always seemed to become more restless and scary on the big road, so Harry had to be extra careful because he was on a scooter.

That day, he was trying to get off the highway as quickly as possible when he saw an older man trying to cross the road. He was frail and looked cold in his unkempt jacket. The honks of cars echoed as they passed him, and the man flinched as they did. If that kept going, someone would run over the man, and Harry wanted to prevent that mishap, so he stopped his scooter in front of him.

“Dad! It’s a gift!” Lucy said and pointed towards the man.

“Sir, let me help you cross,” he offered, grabbing the man’s elbow to guide him. Harry put his other hand out and started leading the older man through it.

The drivers were unhappy about stopping in the middle of the road, but they stopped because Harry kept his hand raised and gave the drivers a scary look. Luckily, they reached the other side after a few minutes, and the old beggar smiled brightly at him.

“Thank you so much, young man. I can’t believe I finally crossed. It always takes a long time. My house is this way, but I walk through town on the other side,” the old man explained, and Harry nodded.

“Wait, young man. Can you tell me your address, so I can send a thank you gift,” the older man said, reaching for Harry.

“Oh, that’s not necessary.”

“Please. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t repay this kind gesture,” he insisted, and Harry nodded, rattling off his address.

He lived in a nice neighborhood because he had inherited the house from his parents, who passed several years ago. His three children loved their new home, but they all missed their grandparents terribly. Sadly, tragedy struck their family shortly afterward because the pandemic cost him his job, and now food delivery was his entire livelihood.

Some days he had to work 18 hours to keep his family afloat. He was his children’s only parent because his wife had abandoned them long ago, and Harry was determined to build a promising future for them, even if he didn’t have a car to make those deliveries properly. He was saving for that.

***

However, he almost crashed his scooter the following day when he got home from working on his last order. A brand new car was in the open garage, and his kids were jumping excitedly on the lawn. Normally, he didn’t allow them outside, but his eldest, Lucy, was smiling too.

“Guys, what’s going on?” he said wide-eyed, throwing his scooter on the grass.

“Dad! It’s a gift!” Lucy said and pointed towards the man Harry had not noticed.

Why was he walking around risking his life if the man had a car? Most importantly, why was the car in his garage?

“I don’t want to sell it. I want my effort to have real meaning. Please, accept it.”

“I told you that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t repay the gesture,” the man responded, smiling. “My name is Reginald, and this car… I bought it many years ago… for my grandson.”

Harry was confused, but the older man continued. “My wife and I only had one son during our marriage, and she left me when my company went bankrupt. She took my kid, of course, but I tried my best. Still, it was not enough. My son got used to his stepfather’s money, and I couldn’t compete with that anymore.”

“Yes, it is, young lady. My son called every once in a while, but we were never close. A few years ago, my grandson was turning 18, and I had met him a few times. I wanted to do something for him, so I got this car,” Reginald pointed at it. “He hated it.”

“It’s a vintage Cadillac!” Harry pointed out, shocked.

“My grandson, much like his father, likes shiny and new. I didn’t know that. He said that his real grandfather – his step-grandfather had already gotten him a brand new SUV,” Reginald swallowed. “So, I had to take this one home, and I couldn’t drive it much. It hurt too much. But I kept it in great shape, and I think it’s time someone had it. I could tell from your work uniform that you deliver food, and thought that you could really use the vehicle.”

“I can’t accept this extravagant gift from a stranger, sir. It wouldn’t be right,” Harry shook his head, although he was so grateful that someone thought about him at all.

“Sir, you could sell this car and live a better life,” Harry said, lowering his voice and stepping close to Reginald so his kids wouldn’t hear him.

The old man shook his head. “I don’t care about money. I beg for it now because I need to eat, but I never accept much. I don’t need much. My house is paid for because I bought it years ago, and it’s enough for me, although it has its problems now. I saved all I could when my body was able to get this car, only for it to get rejected. The greediness in my son’s and grandson’s eyes… killed something in me, so I don’t want to sell it. I want my effort to have real meaning. Please, accept it.”

The earnestness in the man’s face couldn’t be denied. Harry swallowed thickly at the moisture gathering in Reginald’s eyes and finally nodded. “Thank you,” he said quietly and hugged the old beggar.

“How about some dinner?” Lucy offered, brightening the mood. Harry repeated the offer to the older man, who tried to refuse, but they insisted this time.

The next day, Harry delivered everything in the Cadillac and got home early to spend more time with his kids and actually enjoy himself.

He invited Reginald to come every Friday for a special dinner, and he became like a member of their family – a family who valued each other after anything money could buy.

The old man died a few months later, and Harry and his kids were the only ones at his funeral and the only people who would never forget him.

What can we learn from this story?

Teach your children to value effort over money. Reginald’s child and grandchild couldn’t understand the importance of the car he worked so hard for, but another family appreciated it greatly.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a man who was scared after seeing a little crying girl in the middle of the road.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

A strange sound from the bathroom on a cross-country flight gives flight attendant Leslie a terrible fright. Little does she realize that the kid inside will forever change her life.

“Amy!” Leslie called when she saw her fellow flight attendant. “Please tell me you have some headache pills?”

Amy looked at Leslie and rolled her eyes. “Of course I do, but you should know better than to party the night before a cross-country flight.”

“What else am I supposed to do, visit museums?” Leslie sighed. “At least partying keeps me distracted.”

Amy gave Leslie a friendly nudge, and the women boarded the plane together.

Leslie and Amy immediately got to work preparing for the passengers to board, then doing the safety demonstration and ensuring all the passengers settled in. Finally, Leslie crept to the galley and drank her headache pills.

“I wonder if Amy will mind if I lie down in the rest quarters for a bit,” Leslie said. She was heading off to speak to her colleague when an odd sound stopped her in her tracks.

Leslie paused, listening hard. A moment later, she decided she must’ve imagined it. Maybe Amy was right about her partying too much. She’d already planned to hit several clubs when they touched down in L. A, but perhaps she’d take it easy and skip a few of them.

Leslie knocked on the bathroom door. When nobody replied, she opened the door and peeped inside. A second later, she screamed.

A moment later, Leslie realized the shuddering bundle that frightened her was a young boy. He’d been crying and looked up at her with tearful eyes.

“Don’t do that!” Leslie said to the young boy who’d surprised her.

“What are you doing in here?”

The boy hugged his knees and started crying again. Now that she was over her shock, Leslie felt sorry for the boy. She crouched down in front of him.

“I’m sorry I shouted,” Leslie said. “You gave me a fright. I’m Leslie, what’s your name?”

The boy sniffed. “My name’s Ben.”

Leslie frowned. She checked the passenger list again but still didn’t find the boy’s name!

It had been far too long since Leslie last had to comfort a child. The thought filled her with longing for her home, but now was not the time to think of that. She sat beside Ben and put her hand on his arm.

“Ben, sweetie, are you lost? I can help you if you tell me where to find your family.”

Ben let out a sob. He was hugging a paper bag to his chest, Leslie noticed. It set her nerves on edge because of all the horror stories she’d heard about substances brought onto flights.

“What’s in the bag, Ben?” Leslie asked.

“It’s Granny’s medicine,” the boy replied. “She’s going to die without this medicine, and it will be all my fault!”

His mom hadn’t appreciated the explosive side effects of Ben’s quest to discover a cure for all diseases. He’d dearly hoped to make his mother proud and earn a hug from her, but instead, she’d made him sit in the corner.

“I just want her to look at me with the same love and pride she gives my older brothers when they do well.”

Ben sobbed. “That’s why I stole the bag of Granny’s medicine.”

When Ben’s grandmother fell ill, the family decided to visit her in Seattle and bring her medicine. Ben had gotten separated from his family at the airport. He’d eventually spotted his mother again and followed her onto the plane.

“But she wasn’t my mom,” Ben wailed. “And now I’m on the wrong plane. I wanted to be the hero who gave Granny her medicine, but now I’m the baddie. She’s going to die because of me.”

She stared at the boy she was now forced to look after and share her hotel room with. This wasn’t fair. She’d made a list of clubs to check out in L. A, but now she had to babysit instead.

“This is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. I only hope it’s enough.”

Several times, she’d texted Amy and her other colleague, Brandon, but neither of them was willing to mind Ben for her. She’d even considered searching for a local babysitter but realized she couldn’t afford it. She had to save as much as possible to send home.

The pair were silently eating a pizza Leslie ordered for dinner when her phone rang. She answered it, and her stomach dropped when she heard what the caller said.

“My baby is sick?” Leslie asked. “What happened, mom? Joe was doing well the last time we spoke. Have you taken him to a doctor?”

“And she referred us to a specialist. We have an appointment for later this week. They mentioned a genetic disease and they might need you to come in for tests too since you’re his mom.”

“Whatever it takes, so long as my Joe gets better,” Leslie replied.

When she ended the call, Leslie curled into a ball and wept. She wished with all her heart she could wrap her son in her arms, smell his soft, curly hair, and tell him everything would be okay.

Unfortunately, Joe was far beyond her reach. Her flight schedule hadn’t taken her home in over a month. As much as she tried to forget her longing for her son by partying and getting wasted, nothing could stop her heart from aching.

“Miss Leslie?” Ben approached and put his hand on her arm. “I think you should have these for your Joe.”

“If I can’t save my granny, at least I can help you,” Ben said. “Take them for Joe so he can be healthy again.”

“I have a better idea.” Leslie started typing on her phone. “I’m going to get you to your granny in Seattle, Ben. Afterward, I’m going home to Missoula to see my son.”

Leslie booked a plane ticket for Ben at her own expense. She then organized leave and arranged to accompany Ben on his flight while on her way home.

“I’m scared,” Ben said as he and Leslie boarded their flight. “What if Granny is already dead because of my mistake? Mom will never love me then.”

“Your mom has always loved you, Ben, and she always will. That’s what parents do. I’m sure she’s been very worried and will be happy to see you safe.”

Ben didn’t seem to believe Leslie, even when his entire family rushed forward to hug him when they arrived in Seattle. Leslie looked on as Ben’s mom smothered him with kisses and swore never to ignore him again.

Unfortunately, Leslie’s reunion with her family was less cheerful. She was shocked to see how pale and thin Joe had become since she last saw him. He felt so fragile in her arms.

Leslie stayed up late that night talking to her mom and going over the various tests the doctors had run on Joe. She felt overwhelmed, helpless, and incredibly guilty.

When she finally retired for the evening, Leslie crept into Joe’s room and curled up next to him. She buried her face in his soft, coconut-scented hair and promised him, herself, and God to do whatever it took to see her son healthy and happy again.

Leslie put in for extra days on her leave, but the airline wasn’t very understanding. They refused to pay her for the time off, even though Joe was sick.

After another week of caring for Joe and paying for doctor’s visits, money was getting tight. Leslie’s mom was on a pension and had always relied on Leslie to pay for Joe’s needs while she cared for the child. Now, the women needed to figure out how to proceed.

“Maybe I can get a job here,” Leslie said. “Maybe something that pays better.”

“It’s worth looking at any rate,” Leslie’s mom shrugged. “If it comes to it, I can sell the house.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door that changed everything.

“Ben?” She noted then that the family she recognized from the airport was with him. “What’s going on?”

“I have something for you and Joe.” Ben presented Leslie with an envelope.

Leslie opened the envelope. Inside was a check. When Leslie saw the amount on it, her jaw dropped.

“What is this? I can’t accept it,” she stammered.

“It’s over a hundred thousand dollars!”

“We decided together that we should give you the money, for Joe,” Ben continued.

“We announced what we planned to do on the crowdfunding campaign too,” Ben’s dad added, “so everything is above board.”

Leslie pressed the check to her chest as tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you all so much,” she sobbed. “This is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. I only hope it’s enough.”

Ben lunged forward and hugged Leslie’s legs. “It will be enough, I’m sure of it! And when Joe is better one day, I’m going to come back here to play with him.”

Leslie smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair. “You’ll always be welcome to visit here, Ben.”

As Leslie watched him playing with the neighbor’s dog on the front lawn, it was hard to imagine a time when he hadn’t been strong and full of laughter.

“And it’s all thanks to Ben,” she muttered.

The familiar sound of a plane soaring overhead drew Leslie’s eyes skywards. She would soon return to work. She’d also just thought of the perfect way to repay Ben’s family for their generosity.

She pulled out her phone and started making calls. The next day, she called Ben’s mom to tell her that the airline offered her family a generous discount on all flights for the rest of their lives.

What can we learn from this story?

• All children need attention. Ben was desperate to earn his mother’s affection, so he acted foolishly. If she’d realized her son felt neglected, she could’ve acted sooner to ensure he always felt loved.
• You can only avoid emotional pain for so long. Instead of distracting herself from the pain of missing her family with partying and destructive habits, Leslie could’ve found a healthier coping mechanism.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a woman who hears her son’s voice minutes after his life support is turned off.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

When a woman brings a box of toys to a group home, she meets a boy who is the carbon copy of her late husband. She decides to adopt the boy, only to find out that the boy was more than just her husband’s lookalike.

Mark proposed to Nicole and decided to tie the knot in a simple civil ceremony with only their parents and siblings in the audience. In the months following their wedding, they tried really hard to have children, but they just couldn’t conceive.

After trying for over three years, they decided to visit the doctor to find out why they couldn’t conceive a child naturally and to find out their options. Instead of an alternative to conceiving naturally, they received the heartbreaking news that Mark had a malignant tumor in his lungs that made it to other parts of his body. By then, it was too late to remove it.

“In another life, this is how I would have loved for us to spend the rest of our lives, Mark,” Nicole cried one day as she cradled a young baby in her arms. “Us, with our kids…” she started to daydream before her eyes filled with tears. By then, she could no longer stop sobbing.

“Why did it have to be you?” Nicole cried. “Why us?” she asked, again and again.

By then, Mark’s health had started to deteriorate, and he could no longer go anywhere without his oxygen tank. In just a span of a few short weeks, he was bedridden and he eventually died in his sleep. “No more pain, my love,” Nicole cried. “I love you.”

One day, a couple of days before Christmas, Nicole visited the group home with new toys and books for the children. She loved spending time with them, as it reminded her of better days with Mark.

While looking around, she suddenly spotted a new boy about the age of four in the midst of all the children playing. “It can’t be,” she whispered to herself. The boy looked exactly like Mark did when he was younger, with hazelnut brown eyes, porcelain skin with freckles, and chocolate brown hair. It was like looking straight at a younger Mark.

“That is Tony,” the administrator revealed. His mom died about a year ago, and unfortunately, his foster family did not choose to adopt him and could no longer afford to keep him with them, so he’s back here,” he explained.

“What about his father? Do you know who he is?” she decided to ask.

The administrator shook his head. “He didn’t have a dad on his birth certificate. It was just his mom,” he revealed.

It was then that Nicole decided to approach Tony to get to know him a little bit. “Hi there,” she smiled at him. “I’m Nicole. I brought some toys and books for all the kids. Do you want some of them?”

Tony flashed a big smile, showing one dimple on the right side of his cheek, the same dimple that Mark had. “Toys! Yes, I want a toy and some books,” the young boy said. “Thank you! You are so kind!”

After staring into each other’s eyes with big smiles on their faces, Nicole could feel herself growing attached to Tony. He not only reminded him of Mark, but she had always wanted a child, and now, it seemed like she finally found a son in Tony.

“When I saw his eyes, I knew it couldn’t just be a coincidence,” she revealed.

That night, Nicole spent all her time with Tony. The boy wouldn’t leave Nicole’s side, and the two of them played and read books together. After talking to the group home’s administrator, Nicole decided to go through all the needed processes to take Tony home.

Months later, when it was finally completed, Nicole invited all of her family members to dinner, including Mark’s family, to meet the boy.

When her mother-in-law Mara entered the house, Nicole noticed how the older woman’s face changed when she saw Tony. “Doesn’t he look exactly like Mark?” Nicole asked, thinking that she was just surprised to see how much the boy resembled her son in childhood.

The dinner went smoothly, and Tony couldn’t be happier to be surrounded by so many family members. “I’ve never had a big family like this,” he admitted.

That night, Tony went to sleep with a big smile on his face. “I love you, mom. Thank you for being my family,” the young boy said before going to sleep.

The next morning, Nicole’s mother-in-law unexpectedly showed up on their doorstep again. “I have something to tell you,” she said quietly.

Nicole asked her to come in and prepared a cup of coffee for her. “What is it, mom?” she asked.

“A few weeks before your wedding, his ex-girlfriend Tara appeared on our doorstep. At the time, Mark no longer wanted to see her, and didn’t want to have anything to do with her because he loved you – he really did, Nicole,” she started to explain.

“But when she arrived in our home, she had a big belly that one could spot from meters away. She was eight months pregnant at the time,” Mara explained.

Mara shamefully nodded her head. “We didn’t want to believe her, because it’d been about seven months since she and Mark had broken up. After all, he was already with you and I didn’t want to destroy what you and Mark had. I hadn’t seen my son so happy with anyone else but you,” Mara said, trying to reach out for Nicole’s hand.

Nicole couldn’t believe what her mother-in-law was saying, but she couldn’t deny her gut feeling that Tony was Mark’s son. “When I saw his eyes, I knew it couldn’t just be a coincidence,” she revealed.

That night, Nicole decided to look for one of Mark’s old hairbrushes to get some strands of hair, so she could get a DNA test for him and Tony. Despite what she found out, she never treated Tony differently, and the two of them still spent most of their time together.

Should we have helped her ex-girlfriend when she was still alive? she thought to herself. What if he had decided to leave me to go back to his ex-girlfriend so that they could raise their child together?

Her thoughts were racing with so many different thoughts until Tony walked up to her and hugged her. “You look sad, mom,” he told her. “Please don’t be sad. I love you,” he said, tightening his grip on Nicole.

It was then that Nicole smiled. She was happy that even though Mark never got to meet his son, she was now able to care for him on his behalf. “I love you, sweetheart,” she replied. “More than you’ll ever know.”

• Children should not be blamed for their parents’ mistakes. Even though Nicole found out that Tony was her late husband’s son with another woman, she never took it out on the kid, knowing he was never at fault for anything. Instead, she used this as just another reason to love her son more, knowing that he was related to her beloved husband.
• It’s never too late for new beginnings. Nicole was heartbroken after losing her husband Mark. It was only when she found Tony that she was able to begin again and experience happiness like she did before her husband got sick.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a little boy who asked his parents to adopt an abandoned girl, only for his mom to find out that she is actually her biological daughter.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.