A Hard-Working Woman
For as long as Brooke could remember, she had been dreaming of this day. The big day was rapidly approaching, and Brooke couldn’t wait to turn her fantasy into reality. Standing in the antechamber, she glanced at herself one final time and felt beautiful.
The day itself was everything she had ever dreamed of. However, everything took a turn for the worse as she spotted her mother-in-law. What started out as the perfect day soon turned into a living nightmare.
Not Settling
Most young girls dream of their wedding day, and Brooke Johnson is no different. Once she received her first bride and groom doll, she couldn’t stop dreaming about the day she would meet her own soulmate.
She always ensured to do her best during high school, and she eventually established a successful catering business. Everything in her life was perfect, but there was one thing that was missing.
Business Opportunities
Brooke was, without a doubt, a stunning woman. Men were always trying to get into her good books, and even though she had a few relationships, they never seemed to work out.
Brooke knew exactly what she wanted in her future husband, and she refused to settle for anything less. However, her thirties were approaching, and she couldn’t help but wonder where her prince charming was.
Giving It Her All
Brooke decided to take a step back from trying to find her future husband so that she could focus on her business. Her company received a large order for a business event.
It was a great opportunity for growth, and having a client that was so successful could only mean more opportunities for future business. She knew she had to give it her all. However, she had not anticipated another perk of the job.
Prince Charming
The job was to cater a two-day business seminar. The marketing and strategy departments of many large companies sent delegations. This was Brooke’s best performance yet.
For the attendees, she and her small staff prepared a substantial lunch buffet. She was praised for the meals, and she enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere of the establishment. A particular businessman stood out to her.
A Sad Realization
There was an instant attraction when Brooke first spotted Jenson. He was an attractive, funny, and intelligent man. When she saw him in his professional attire, her stomach filled with butterflies.
He struck up a conversation by complementing her food. They enjoyed each other’s company and made plans to speak after each workshop. After the second day, Brooke couldn’t help herself. She was in love! However, there was one issue.
All She Ever Wanted
Brooke and Jenson had a few fun and flirty conversations, however, the seminar was about the end that day. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever see him again. He appeared to have enjoyed their conversations and frequently came to visit her spot.
Once the seminar came to a close, Brooke began packing up her equipment. Even though she was too stubborn to admit it, she was sad about possibly never seeing Jenson again. However, he approached her soon after and asked her for her cell number.
Not A Good Feeling
After meeting at the seminar, Brooke and Jenson began casually dating. Brooke couldn’t contain her excitement, he was perfect. As the months flew by their connection grew stronger, and they moved in with each other after eight months of dating.
Everything was going swimmingly. As she and Jenson grew closer, Brooke couldn’t help but think of marriage. However, things would take a turn once she met his family.
Not Good Enough
Jenson was an incredibly humble man, despite coming from a wealthy family. He achieved a lot on his and he was the vice president of a prestigious marketing firm based in Manhattan. However, Brooke got a terrible feeling once she met his mother.
Evelyn Johnson was a tasteful, elegant individual. Being a simple girl herself, Brooke was uncomfortable being around her. On first glance, Evelyn also appeared to despise her.
The Engagement
Despite Jenson’s protestations and the fact that he was an only child, it was obvious that Jenson was his mother’s favorite. Additionally, some of his cousins had informed Brooke that she was extremely fussy and that no lady was suitable for him in her view.
Putting these concerns aside, Brooke tried her best to manage the complex relationship with Evelyn. All of this eventually slipped her mind. When Jenson unexpectedly proposed, she was overjoyed.
Awkward
Jenson got down on one knee and created a magical evening for Brooke. She was ecstatic as her lifelong dream was finally coming true. A date was chosen, and the exciting planning began.
While Evelyn, who didn’t seem too pleased about the wedding, did her best to try and control every aspect of the preparations, Brooke put her foot down. This was her big day, and nothing was going to spoil that. At least, that’s what she thought.
Unexpected Reply
Brooke wasn’t close to her future mother-in-law. And now, more than ever, she got an intense feeling that Evelyn didn’t like her.
Because of this and the way Evelyn had tried to control other aspects of the wedding planning, Brooke didn’t invite her wedding dress shopping. Instead, she sent her a picture of her chosen dress to make her feel included. It was a decision she’d later regret.
An Aggressive Answer
The dress Brooke sent her future mother-in-law was a beautiful flowy beachy-looking dress that had an embroidered corset detail on the waist.
She bought it from a small local boutique that both she and Jenson loved. After sending the photo to her mother-in-law, Brooke expected to receive a nice text back. Instead, all hell broke loose.
Indignant
Evelyn immediately wrote back and demanded that Brooke find another dress. Brooke thought she was joking until she followed up with a stream of hysterical texts.
Brooke flicked through the aggressive texts in disbelief. She made it obvious that she didn’t approve. She wrote back, utterly confused, and asked her why but her response left her reeling.
Defiance
When Brooke asked her why she thought she couldn’t wear that dress, Evelyn replied: “I don’t need to give you a reason. You should do what I say without questioning me. That dress is inappropriate.”
But there was a secret reason – and it was wild! “Sorry, but I’m still wearing this dress,” Kelly replied, adding fuel to the fire.
Tensions Rise
Brooke’s mother-in-law was a very judgemental woman who cared deeply about keeping up appearances. She grew up surrounded by wealth and always seemed to get everything she wanted.
Brooke’s defiance felt like a hard slap to her face – and one that would send her spiraling out of control and into the arms of security.
Giving In
Brooke got a call later that day. It was from her father-in-law. If she didn’t change the dress, the whole family would withdraw from attending their wedding.
Their wedding was a small group of 40 people. Fifteen of those people were Jenson’s family – uncles, aunts, and cousins mostly – who were all acting completely unreasonable. Tensions rose between the engaged couple.
The Wedding Stunt
Jenson begged his future wife to be accommodating. His reaction brought Brooke to boiling point. How could he side with his family? They were acting utterly out of line.
But her whole wedding was at stake. She didn’t want her future husband to have a wedding without his family there, but she also felt like she needed to stand her ground. Eventually, she made a decision that would come back to haunt her.
Complete Shock
Brooke surrendered and picked a different wedding dress. Even though she had won, Evelyn still became a lot moodier in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
The day finally arrived. Everything was perfect, from the location to the weather, food, and decor. Brooke glanced outside as she sat in her antechamber, awaiting her cue to walk down the aisle. The in-laws came to her wedding, and everyone was playing nice – until Kelly saw what her mother-in-law was wearing.
She Was Livid
Evelyn had found a cruel way to take revenge for not being allowed to control the wedding arrangements. Brooke’s eyes filled with tears when she saw that Evelyn had worn a wedding dress to the ceremony.
To make matters even worse, her mother-in-law had decided to attend her wedding in the same dress she had planned on wearing! Malice was written all over her face as she strutted around in what should have been her wedding dress. Now, it was personal.
Confrontation
Brooke could not believe how insensitive Evelyn had been. It was clearly a stunt designed to take the spotlight off her as the bride. Word got to Jenson that his bride was in tears. The ceremony was placed on hold while Brooke and Jenson confronted Evelyn.
Brooke marched up to her mother-in-law with a rage so consuming she felt like she could spew hot lava from her pores.
No Choice
“How dare you! This is why you didn’t want me to have my dream wedding dress? Because YOU wanted to wear it to my big day?!” Brooke spat. A crowd began to form.
Evelyn was belligerent as ever and refused to apologize or change her dress. Then, the spiteful woman accused Brooke of being after her son’s money.
Taking Action
Brooke’s soon-to-be husband now had no choice but to acknowledge the disrespect his own mother showed to his wife. Even he could no longer excuse her childish behavior.
Brooke stepped away and tried to ignore her for the rest of the day, but she couldn’t deny it – she was ruining her wedding day. She had to do something.
Kicked Out
The entire fiasco had made Brooke’s day a nightmare. Jenson was just as disgusted at his mom’s behavior. Brooke was devastated, more than anything, because of what she was accused of.
Brooke should have been surrounded by people who loved her and Jenson equally and who wanted to celebrate their union in a joyous and unselfish manner. But her mom-in-law was making her feel small. After dinner, Brooke pulled Jenson aside and confided in him. What they did next astonished everyone.
Second Thoughts
Jenson understood where Brooke was coming from and couldn’t help but agree with her on her point of view and how his mom was acting.
They agreed to approach his mom and ask her to leave now that the meal was over. However, she didn’t go quietly and made a scene – even smashing a piece of cake in the bride’s face!
Looking For Advice
When Evelyn eventually left, she took most of Jenson’s family with her. Although Jenson was devastated to have to ask his family to leave, he couldn’t condone their behavior any longer.
He felt he did the right thing. Brooke also felt like she did the right thing, but the drama put a horrible damper on her big day. And she became unsure if she had acted correctly. She posted the story to Reddit and asked for help.
Online Opinions
Brooke explained the story online and asked Reddit users if she was wrong for what she’d done. After all, if she was being small-minded about the whole situation, she wanted to be able to address her wrongdoing and apologize.
These people were now her family, and there was no getting away from them now. But here’s what Reddit users said.
A Warning
One comment said: “You can wear whatever you want. But at some point, you might need to think if this dress is more important than your wedding and your relationship with your in-laws.”
Another concurred but emphasized that Brooke hadn’t deserved that kind of treatment: “I agree with this, but mom-in-law and her family are ridiculously overreacting.”
A New Start
However, another user had words of warning to say to Brooke. “With how crazy all these people are, she should rethink even marrying into this family. These people are nuts and will make her life a living hell.”
Despite the warning to run away from the crazy family, Brooke and Jenson were determined to let love win – and set the mother-in-law from hell straight on one thing…
Jenson confronted his mother alone. For the first time, Evelyn learned that the couple had been keeping a secret from her. Months before the wedding, Jenson’s company had suffered a substantial financial loss, and he had lost his job.
Brooke insisted that he let her support him till he got back on his feet. Only then did Evelyn realize the kind of person Brooke was. She made a considerable effort to reconcile with Brooke and begged her forgiveness.