My birthday party took an unexpected turn when my father-in-law, Frank, presented me with a weight loss machine in front of all our guests. Little did he know, I was about to uncover some embarrassing secrets from his past.

“I’m Anna, 32, juggling two kids, a husband often away, and in-laws next door. My husband Sam is amazing, but his job keeps him on the road. We live in Sam’s childhood home, kindly ceded by my in-laws. Martha, my mother-in-law, is a saint. But Frank? That’s a different story.

Frank has never approved of me. On my birthday, he loudly announced, ‘This is a gift from us. We want our son to have a girl without extra weight. So we think you need this!’ He put down a weight loss machine, and I felt like I’d been slapped.

I ran upstairs, upset, but found a suitcase labeled ‘Frank’s stuff.’ Inside were old self-help books on being a real man and bedroom troubles. I composed myself and went back to the party. ‘I just remembered I have a gift for Frank too,’ I announced, holding up the books. ‘I thought you might still need them.’

The room erupted in laughter. Martha calmly took the books and said to Frank, ‘Oh, you definitely still need them, dear.’ Frank stayed quiet for once.

Later, Martha apologized, ‘You’re family, Anna. It’s about time Frank realized that.’ The day didn’t go as expected, but I felt stronger. I called Sam and caught sight of myself in the mirror. Extra baby weight and all, I looked pretty damn good.”