Newlyweds nurse gift grudge

DsAR AMY >> My partner of 28 years and I decided to finally marry (at age 70) last December.

Due to the pandemic, the ceremony was conducted on Zoom with just a very few close friends and family members.

Shortly after, I announced our marriage and posted a couple of photos on Facebook.

A week later, I received a call from my cousin, who heard about my marriage from one of her daughters (who saw my post).

She seemed very happy about it and congratulated us. Since that call, we have not received a gift or a congratulatory card from her or her family. Months later, it still bothers me.

I am saddened that she doesn’t consider my marriage as important as a straight one. She is very religious, so that might be the reason. However, my partner and I have always been included in all her family gatherings over the years and have always been considered a couple.

My cousin and I are like brother and sister. I think this is why it hurts so much.

Should I bring up my disappointment?

— Hurt Feelings

DsAR HURT >> First of all, congratulations!

Now, buckle up, because I want to suggest a counternarrative.

Here is the letter I imagine your cousin might have senttome:

“Dear Amy: My cousin and I are like brother and sister! I have always been genuinely happy to include him and his partner of 28 years in all of our family gatherings over the years.

Last year, he and his partner decided to get married! This is great news; they’ve been together longer than most married couples I know, and at the age of 70, I’d say it’s about time.

Imagine how hurt I felt when I learned about this wedding from my daughter, who saw a posting on Facebook.

I called them to congratulate them, but I feel hurt that my closest cousin didn’t bother to tell me about his wedding — even after the fact — and I had to learn about it third hand.”

In short: HELLLLLO. The beauty of a Zoom wedding is that you can include a bunch of people. Why didn’t you include your cousin? Don’t you imagine that she might feel hurt that you didn’t even bother to tell her? And yet, here she is, picking up the phone and offering a loving congratulations to you both.

No, you do NOT get to feel hurt about this. Share my counter-narrative with your husband, and sort your feelings out.