When my stepdaughter Brooke got married, my husband Gary and I went all out to make the day unforgettable. From paying her college tuition to organizing her dream vineyard wedding, we always tried to go above and beyond. For the honeymoon, we booked a beautiful villa in the Dominican Republic—private pool, ocean views, the works.
The morning after they arrived, my phone rang. It was Brooke, furious. “This place is tiny,” she complained. “The pool is pathetic, and the beach is a five-minute walk. Honestly, you two are so cheap.” Gary was speechless. After everything we’d done, she was upset because the villa didn’t meet her over-the-top expectations.
Instead of snapping back, I took a deep breath and called the villa management. I downgraded their stay to a modest hotel nearby—no ocean view, no private pool, just the bare essentials. Hours later…