I never expected an email from my ex-husband\u2019s new wife, Stephanie, especially with a bill attached. It listed \u201cexpenses caused by me\u201d during my marriage to Matt\u2014totalling over $5,000. I wasn’t about to pay, but I did craft a response she\u2019d never forget.<\/p>\n
Matt and I had been divorced for two years, and I had moved on, enjoying my new life. Our marriage had been flawed from the start. While I wanted a partner, Matt wanted someone to take care of him. He became increasingly irresponsible, leaving me to handle everything\u2014his appointments, his bills, even his self-esteem. When he lost his job, I found myself doing it all, from managing finances to his basic needs. The realization hit that I wasn\u2019t his wife, but his mother. The divorce was amicable enough, and Matt quickly remarried.<\/p>\n
Stephanie, with her “queen energy” and need for drama, had reached out before their wedding asking for personal details about Matt to include in the ceremony. I politely declined. Later, I learned the wedding was full of digs at me, including a slideshow portraying Matt\u2019s life with me as dull.<\/p>\n
Then, I received the email with her bill. She charged me for things like Matt\u2019s new glasses, wardrobe, therapy, and fitness coaching\u2014things she claimed were my responsibility. I couldn\u2019t believe it.<\/p>\n
Instead of getting angry, I had some fun. I sent her a counter-invoice, listing charges for the emotional labor I\u2019d done during our marriage. I even CC’d some friends, who loved it. Matt called to apologize\u2014his first ever\u2014but I told him, “Make sure you pay that invoice.”<\/p>\n
Stephanie wasn\u2019t pleased, and Matt got embarrassed when someone asked him about it at a party. Now, whenever her name comes up, someone inevitably says, “Oh, you mean the one with the bill?” And I don’t regret a thing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I never expected an email from my ex-husband\u2019s new wife, Stephanie, especially with a bill attached. It listed \u201cexpenses caused by me\u201d during my marriage to Matt\u2014totalling over $5,000. I wasn’t about to pay, but I did craft a response she\u2019d never forget. Matt and I had been divorced for two years, and I had…<\/p>\n