Marriage is often seen as a dream, a union built on love. But sometimes, that dream takes an unexpected turn.

I had just married Dan, and the wedding was perfect. But everything shifted when his mother, Karen, handed me a gift: a set of rules titled “How to Be a Good Wife for My Son.” I thought it was a joke, but it was serious—a list of outdated expectations I was supposed to follow.

Dan seemed unfazed, even when I confronted him about it. “Marriage is different,” he said casually, as if this was normal. I decided to follow the rules—but in my own way. I made breakfast as instructed, went grocery shopping alone, and rearranged the kitchen. Dan started to realize I wasn’t taking this seriously.

The breaking point came when I ruined his laundry by washing everything together. Dan finally confronted his mom, telling her the rules were ridiculous. We decided to build our marriage on our terms, free from her influence, and it felt like a new beginning.