My husband Steve often said we couldn’t afford simple things—like flowers or birthday plans. I handled most of the household bills, assuming we were on a tight budget. But one day, I found a receipt in his jacket: over $10,000 spent on a luxury resort for two. When I asked, he casually claimed it was a gift for his mom and “her friend” for her birthday.
That “friend” turned out to be his ex, Lora. Her social media posts confirmed it: matching outfits, beach photos, and captions like “Thank you, Steve 💋”. I stayed calm and checked his messages—there it was, conversations with his mom and Lora, mocking me and planning their trip. One message ended with, “My two favorite girls. I’ll be there soon.”
Instead of getting angry, I chose a different response. I withdrew the same amount from our joint account and used it to fund summer camp for my 22 students—most of whom couldn’t afford to go. Sleeping bags, supplies, and matching shirts were all covered. The joy it brought them was priceless.
I packed Steve’s things, left them outside, and changed the locks. As I drove the bus filled with excited kids toward camp, laughter filled the van. I looked out at the trees and lake ahead and finally felt what I’d been missing for years: peace and purpose.