“Your vows,” I said. “They were insensitive and embarrassing.”

“No! They were cute!” he said. “I kept them true to us.”

“You basically told everyone that I’m a nag and clumsy. And that I forced you into marrying me.”

I crossed my arms and waited for some kind of explanation.

“Oh, come on, Emily,” he said. “Everyone was laughing. It’s not as deep as you’re making it. Let’s just do this photoshoot and go back to the party. I am starving.”

I bit my tongue. I didn’t have it in me to fight.

At the reception, Jason truly let himself go. He went overboard with the drinks and ate enough steak and potatoes to make anyone sick to their stomach.

“Mom,” I said, kneeling next to my mother before the formalities began. “I don’t feel good.”

“What do you mean, sweetheart?” my mother asked.

“Jason…” I said, my voice trailing as the weight of my uneasiness set in. “Those vows were nothing but an embarrassment.”

“Maybe it was just nerves, Emily,” my mother said. “You know how Jason can be sometimes.”

Soon after, the emcee got up and began the formalities. Jason’s brother stood up and spoke about how we met and his first impressions of me.

“I didn’t think Emily would stay!” Jackson laughed, his beer bottle in his hand. “But I guess she knows how to deal with my brother.”

It went on and on, and my husband ate up his brother’s words, chuckling loudly.

Then, it was time for my father-in-law’s speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a few words to say to my son and his new bride, the lovely Emily,” he said.

I held my breath. I had always gotten along with Robert, and he had always treated me well. But I had thought the same of Jason until his vows were said.
I didn’t know if I had to prepare myself for something from Robert, too.

If I had to be honest with myself, I just wanted to run away. I didn’t feel like a bride. I didn’t feel much like anything. I didn’t even feel like myself.

I wanted to rip off my wedding dress and get into my comfiest pair of sweatpants. I wanted to cry.

“Jason, do you know what makes a marriage work, son?” Robert asked.

“Uh, love? Attraction? Chemistry?” Jason said, faltering.

Who on earth is this man? I wondered to myself.

“It’s respect,” Robert said, shaking his head. “It’s about cherishing your partner and never making them feel small or embarrassed. Today, you turned your vows into a series of jokes at Emily’s expense. That was not only inappropriate but also deeply hurtful.”

I glanced around and saw some of the guests were shaking their heads.

“To teach you a lesson, Jason,” Robert continued. “I’m going to share something about you that you might find equally embarrassing.”

“What? Dad! Stop!” Jason said, standing up.

“Jason still sleeps with a nightlight. He says that it’s because he likes to read in bed, but we all know that it’s because he’s afraid of the dark.”

Laughter erupted through the room.

“And let’s not forget about the time when Jason tried to cook for Emily and set off the fire alarm because he didn’t know that normal people don’t put metal in microwaves.”

“Dad, just stop it,” Jason hissed.

“Or about the time when he got drunk after a party, and insisted that he needed to sleep on the floor in my bedroom.”

“I shared these stories not to embarrass you, Jason. But to show you how it feels. Humor at someone else’s expense isn’t funny, it’s cruel. You need to understand the consequences of your actions.”

I smiled at Robert, finally feeling seen.

“Emily, on behalf of my son, I apologize. Jason still has a lot to learn about being a loving and respectful partner. But I know that he can do better, and I hope you give him the chance to prove it.”

“I’m so sorry, Emily,” Jason said from beside me. “I thought I was being funny, but I see how ridiculous I was being. Give me another chance.”

“Fine,” I said. “But it’s going to take more than just empty words to fix this.”

I want to give us another chance, but something still feels very off.

What would you do?