My wife is nine years younger than me, from a humble background, and earns less than $500,000. She has a gentle and homemaking spirit. On our wedding day, her family didn’t gift us any gold jewelry, while my family gave a total of 13 gold rings.
During our wedding night, after counting the wedding gifts and cash, I realized that most of the valuables were from my family, with little contribution from hers. So I proposed to my wife:
“Let’s keep our own earnings and gifts separate. I will contribute to our monthly expenses, and you can do the same as you wish. What do you think?”
Expecting her to be upset by my selfish suggestion, I was surprised when she readily agreed, and things went smoothly.

The wedding gifts and gold jewelry were predominantly from the groom’s family, with minimal contribution from the bride’s family. (Illustrative image)
As we prepared for bed, my wife suggested that she be included on the deed for the house I had purchased the previous year. I silently accused her of greed, believing she was finally revealing her true colors. I bluntly responded:
“I worked tirelessly for nearly 20 years to buy this house, denying myself luxuries, enduring illnesses without proper medical care, and forgoing new clothes. This is my hard-earned asset, and I don’t think you should demand co-ownership. If you buy land in the future, I won’t lay claim to it.”
I chose to be upfront with her to prevent any future misunderstandings about my assets. Thankfully, she didn’t react angrily to my decisive words.
After a sweet consummation of our marriage, I fell into a deep sleep. In the middle of the night, I woke up thirsty and noticed my wife sitting by the bed, holding a black bag with a contented smile.
Intrigued by her midnight activity, I asked her about the bag, and she instinctively hid it behind her back. My curiosity grew, and after some pleading, she reluctantly let me peek inside.
Imagine my surprise when I saw a substantial amount of gold jewelry inside! She explained that it was her dowry from her parents. I was astonished, knowing her parents’ frugal and modest lifestyle, to learn they had given her 20 gold rings.
I advised her to find an affordable plot of land and invest in it, waiting for the right time to sell it for a profit. However, she had a different vision:
“I was thinking we could combine my gold and your money to buy a more valuable piece of land. If we don’t sell it, we can pass it on to our children in the future.”
Her words made me realize how selfish and narrow-minded I had been, while she displayed a generous and open-minded spirit. I apologized for my rigid separation of assets, which had caused her sadness. Her magnanimity broadened my perspective. As a married couple, we learned that trust and sincere love are more important than money in building a strong and lasting family. She was delighted that I had recognized my shortcomings.
Step Into Summer with a Dreamy Wardrobe: 10 Must-Have Items for a French-Inspired Look
Step into the sultry summer days with a touch of French elegance. With a few carefully curated pieces, you can effortlessly embody the allure of a Parisian femme fatale. It’s all about embracing a sophisticated yet subtly sexy vibe that only the French seem to master. So, get ready to give your wardrobe a touch of je ne sais quoi!