We loved spending time with our cousins and enjoying the special meals that my parents prepared.
When Megan and I started hosting these dinners, she was thrilled to join the tradition. At first, I did the cooking, but Megan soon took over, saying, “Cooking is therapeutic for me.” I was happy to let her take charge, confident that my family would appreciate her efforts.
However, things didn’t go as planned. The first time Megan cooked, my sister Angela immediately criticized the food, calling it bland. My brother Dan complained about dry chicken, and even my mom chimed in, suggesting less seasoning next time. Megan was crushed, especially after all the hard work she’d put in.
Despite my encouragement, Megan felt defeated. “Everyone hated it,” she cried. “I won’t cook for them again.” I tried to comfort her, but the damage was done.
At the next family dinner, Megan prepared roasted chicken and red sauce pasta—dishes my mom and sister loved. Once again, the criticism poured in. Angela said the pasta tasted awful, and my mom discreetly spit out the chicken, saying it wasn’t right. Megan was devastated, and I couldn’t understand why they were being so harsh.
That’s when Megan asked, “Are they doing this on purpose?” Her words planted a seed of suspicion in my mind. To test the theory, I came up with a plan. For the next dinner, we would secretly switch roles—I’d tell everyone I cooked, but Megan would make all the food.
Reluctantly, Megan agreed. She prepared the same dishes, and when dinner was served, I announced that I had cooked. Suddenly, everyone loved the food. Angela praised the pasta, my mom raved about the chicken, and my dad couldn’t stop complimenting me. It was clear—they had been biased all along.
When I revealed that Megan had actually cooked the meal, the room went silent. My family tried to backtrack, but the truth was out. Megan and I finally understood what had been happening all this time.
That night, I apologized to Megan and told her, “I’m done with these dinners. They disrespected you, and I won’t stand for it.” We haven’t attended a family dinner since.
In the end, standing by Megan was the right choice. We’ve created our own family traditions, built on love and respect, where every meal feels like home—no matter who’s cooking.