My Relatives Started Complaining about My Wifes Meals at Our Monthly Family Dinners – So We Decided to Secretly Test Them

My wife Megan poured her heart into our familys monthly dinners, but all she got in return were cruel comments from my relatives. After witnessing her tears one too many times, I set up a secret test to expose the real reason behind their relentless criticism. What I found out left me heartbroken.

Our family has a long-standing tradition of hosting monthly dinners, a custom that dates back to when my dad was a kid. My grandmother started it all by bringing her siblings together over meals, which strengthened their bond.

A family having dinner together | Source: Pexels

As Dad and his siblings grew up, they adopted this tradition and invited each other over for dinner every month. I still remember how my siblings and I used to wait for that day each month so we could meet our cousins and have a great time.

Mind you, these werent just ordinary family dinners. Dad would go all out with the decorations, while Mom ensured there were at least three dishes on the table.

I remember one time Dad even ordered pizza for us kids, and it turned into one of our best nights.

People taking slices of a pizza | Source: Pexels

Now, since my siblings and I have grown up, we have also adopted this wonderful tradition.

A few months ago, my older sister, Angela, invited us to her place and she made the most delicious chicken pie Ive eaten! Even my wife, Megan, loved it.

Since we took turns hosting, I had also invited my siblings, along with their spouses and kids, to our place multiple times. I have two older siblings; Dan and Angela, and two younger siblings; David and Gloria.

Women sitting at a dinner table | Source: Pexels

Usually, we have around 13-14 people when everyone comes over with their spouses and kids. Occasionally, my aunt Martha joins us too. Weve always been close to her.

My wife was excited to be part of the tradition when we first started, even before we were married. Initially, I did the cooking, but she took over after a while.

“You know I find cooking to be very therapeutic, babe,” she reassured me. “Dont worry, Ill handle everything.”

Thats just how Megan is. So understanding and helpful.

A woman talking | Source: Midjourney

I thought everything would be fine until the day we hosted dinner and revealed that Megan had cooked the food.

“I knew it!” Angela said. “I was wondering why the food tastes so off today. Its just… so bland!”

“I agree,” Dan muttered. “Why is the chicken so dry?”

“Maybe use less seasoning next time,” Mom added.

Ill never forget the look on Megans face that day. It hurt to see her so crushed, especially after all the effort she had put in.

A woman standing in the living room | Source: Midjourney

“I think the chicken is perfect!” I cheered for Megan. “What do you think, David?”

“Yeah, its really nice,” David smiled at Megan. “Its perfect!”

“Shouldnt you cook what everyone likes?” my aunt asked Megan. “That way, no one will complain next time.”

“Yeah, I…” Megan began in a trembling voice, almost on the verge of crying. “Ill cook something else next time.”

Whats wrong with them? I thought. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the chicken Megan had made. Honestly, it was even better than what Id cooked the other day.

A close-up shot of a mans face | Source: Midjourney

Later that night, I found Megan crying in the bedroom.

“Babe, they shouldnt have treated you like that,” I said, hugging her tightly. “Your cooking was amazing. I promise. Even David loved it.”

“Only David said that,” she cried. “Everyone else hated it. I wont cook for them again.”

“Hey, dont let them get you down,” I said, looking her in the eyes. “Youre strong, remember?”

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

That night, I convinced Megan to cook for my family at the next family dinner, but I guess that was the biggest mistake of my life.

Megan cooked my moms favorite roasted chicken with a side of veggies, and the red sauce pasta that Angela loved. She had perfected her recipe by watching a couple of YouTube videos, hoping my family would love it.

However, when it was time for dinner, Mom and Angela passed the meanest remarks. I couldnt believe my ears because I thought the food was phenomenal.

A person cutting a piece of chicken | Source: Pexels

“I dont think you should ever make this pasta again, Meg,” Angela said, shaking her head. “It tastes awful.”

“Ill send you my recipe tonight,” Mom said, discreetly spitting out a piece of chicken. “This isnt what Id call roasted chicken.”

Megan just shook her head in silence as she looked at each one of them. Then, she walked into the kitchen, and I followed. I knew she was already in tears.

A woman standing in the kitchen | Source: Midjourney

“Babe, I loved the food,” I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I dont get why Mom and Angela are acting this way.”

“Your sister said the pasta tastes bad!” Megan whispered as tears trickled down her cheeks. “I made the one dish she loves the most and she doesnt even like it. What am I supposed to do?”

Thats when I heard Mom say something that sent a wave of anger up my chest.

An older woman having dinner | Source: Pexels

“Shes not even trying,” Mom said in a low voice so we couldnt hear her.

“Didnt she learn from last time?” my fathers voice echoed through the living room.

Thats when I rushed toward the dinner table to defend Megan. I couldnt take it anymore.

“Cant you guys be nice to her? Whats with all this drama?” I confronted them. “Why cant you just appreciate her a bit? She always works so hard to cook for you guys!”

A man yelling at his mother | Source: Midjourney

“Really?” Angela raised an eyebrow. “Then why cant she ever get anything right?”

“If she cooked better, we wouldn’t have to complain,” Mom scoffed. “Were not asking for gourmet food, just something we can eat.”

I knew arguing with my family was pointless, so I just walked back to the kitchen. Megan stood there with her arms folded across her chest. She had heard me confront them.

“They never complained when you cooked,” she said. “Are they doing this on purpose?”

A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

Her words made me suspicious. Could my family really be criticizing her on purpose?

A few days ago, when it was our turn to host dinner again, I suggested we secretly test them. I told Megan wed pretend I had prepared dinner, while she would be the person cooking everything.

At first, Megan refused saying she didnt want to feel humiliated again. But she agreed when I insisted. I was certain this would reveal the truth.

A man looking outside the window, thinking | Source: Midjourney

So, Megan made the same dishes again. Red sauce pasta and roasted chicken.

“I cooked everything today,” I said as soon as my family sat down for dinner. “I used your recipe for the chicken, Mom. Im sure youll love it.”

And thats precisely what happened.

Not only did Mom love the roasted chicken, but Dad, Angela, Dan, and even Aunt Martha couldnt stop raving about it.

Roasted chicken with vegetables | Source: Pexels

“This is the best pasta Ive ever tasted!” Angela said, smacking her lips. “I love it, Brandon!”

“Im glad you took over again!” Dad said.

“Yeah, man,” Dan added, “I never knew my brother could cook this well!”

I looked at Megan and I knew exactly what she was thinking. The food they were raving about was the same food theyd criticized just a few dinners ago. The same dishes, but they thought I had made them.

A man looking straight ahead, thinking | Source: Midjourney

My younger siblings, David and Gloria, struggled to control their laughter because they knew what was going on. Meanwhile, everyone else had dinner like it was the best meal theyd ever had.

“Okay, I need to confess something,” I said, grabbing everyones attention. “But before that, I just need to confirm you all loved the food, right?”

They all nodded.

“Well, I didnt cook anything,” I revealed. “This was all Megans magic. She cooked this for you all just like shes been doing it for months.”

The room went silent.

A woman looking at her son, feeling shocked | Source: Midjourney

I could see Moms face had flushed red with embarrassment, while Angela started focusing on her drink. Meanwhile, Dad tried to cover up, “Well… I mean… its just that, maybe shes gotten better at cooking?”

They all tried to backtrack, but the damage was done. Megan and I finally understood what had been going on all this time.

Later that night, Megan and I were in the bedroom when I apologized to her for everything.

A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney

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“Im done with these monthly dinners,” I told her. “This was the last one we hosted, and the last one weve attended. I wont be a part of them anymore if all they want to do is humiliate my wife.”

“But thats part of your family traditions,” Megan said. “I think you should attend the dinners at least.”

“I dont care about any tradition now,” I rolled my eyes. “They disrespected you, and I cant stand that.”

A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney

We didnt attend the next family dinners, and after two months, my parents and siblings started asking questions. I told them outright we werent coming back.

“You guys ruined everything by humiliating my wife,” I told Mom one day.

“Seriously, Brandon? You cant do this!” she yelled at me over the phone. “Youre ruining your relationship with us because of her.”

I hung up, knowing that arguing with her was pointless. My familys constant complaints made sense now. They werent happy with Megan, and Gloria later confirmed it.

A woman looking outside the window | Source: Midjourney

“Mom and Angela have always been like that,” she revealed. “They always pretended to like Megan because you wanted to marry her, but the truth is that they never approved of her. They believe shes too different, that shes not family enough.”

Glorias words confirmed what I had feared all along, that I had made the right choice in standing by Megan. She deserved better than a family that couldnt appreciate her for who she was.

A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney

As we moved forward, I realized that our little family mattered the most and that the love and support we shared were far more important than outdated traditions or hurtful opinions.

I decided that Megan and I would create our own traditions, ones filled with respect and kindness, where every meal felt like home, no matter who cooked it.

Do you think I did the right thing?

If you enjoyed reading this story, heres another one you might like: When an 18-year-old college student, Brittany, feels the pangs of homesickness, a simple call to her little brother, Ian, reveals a family in turmoil. Overwhelmed by her mothers silent struggle under her fathers constant criticism, Brittany decides its time for a lesson in gratitude and teamwork.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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