After years of infertility, we adopted a 3-year-old boy named Sam, with ocean-blue eyes. On the way home, my husband Mark panicked, wanting to return him. I couldn’t understand why until I noticed a birthmark on Sam’s foot—identical to one Mark had.We had been eager to adopt, and though we’d initially planned for an infant, we chose Sam after seeing his photo. The adoption was difficult, with Mark focusing on his business while I managed the paperwork. When we brought Sam home,Sarah organized a weekend getaway for her friend group at a beautiful cabin, costing $2,000, or $250 each. She paid upfront but asked everyone to reimburse her before the trip. As the weekend approached, her friends made excuses for not paying, and some even went radio silent.

Frustrated by their disregard for her requests, Sarah devised a plan. She arrived early at the cabin, prepared the place with food, drinks, and a bonfire, but took the keys and locked the cabin, texting her friends that they couldn’t enter until they paid their share. Her friends called and texted frantically, growing more upset as the day went on. Once they realized Sarah wouldn’t let them in until they paid, the money started pouring in through Venmo and PayPal. Sarah returned to the cabin after everyone had paid.Though the tension was palpable at first, by the end of the weekend, her friends apologized, and the trip became a lesson in accountability. Despite the stress, it was a bonding experience that brought a renewed respect for each other.