John and I recently achieved one of our biggest dreams: buying our first apartment. It was a goal we had worked toward for years, with plenty of sacrifices along the way. But just as we were settling into this new chapter of our lives, my mother-in-law surprised us with a request we never saw coming.
When we got married almost five years ago, John’s mother was living with his older brother, James, along with James’s wife and their two kids. John and I decided early on that we wouldn’t rely on anyone else for a place to live. Instead, we focused on saving enough money to buy our own home before starting a family.
It wasn’t easy, but after four years, we finally had enough for a down payment. My parents were incredibly supportive throughout our journey. They encouraged us every step of the way and even contributed financially in a way we never expected.
My grandmother had been living alone, which became difficult as she got older. My parents decided to move her in with them and sell her condo. They generously gave us the proceeds from the sale, allowing us to combine that money with our savings to buy a two-bedroom apartment. We didn’t need a mortgage, and we were finally living in our own space.
Six months later, we invited my mother-in-law over to celebrate. But during the visit, she revealed her own plans. She told us, “Now that you’ve got your apartment and received help, it’s time for you to help me.” Her words left us in shock.
John didn’t hold back in his response. He made it clear that we only owed gratitude to my parents, who had supported us throughout our journey. He also said that James had had years to change his situation and that it wasn’t our responsibility to step in. Despite her attempts to gain sympathy, John stood his ground.
In the end, my mother-in-law left, clearly displeased with John’s firm stance. But we knew we had made the right decision. With exciting news of our first child on the way, we were focused on building our family and future together.
