My father-in-law opened his mouth to speak, then sighed softly. “We just thought it would be a nice family getaway,” he said, sounding more thoughtful than upset. My husband nodded. “And we would love to plan something together. Let’s arrange a time that works for everyone so it feels good for all of us.”

My mother-in-law gently squeezed her husband’s hand. “Next time, we’ll coordinate first,” she said with a warm smile. He nodded in agreement, the earlier tension melting into understanding.