He gifted me a plastic keychain—the kind you find at a gas station souvenir rack. It had the words “#1 Wife” printed in faded letters. I stared at it, waiting for the real gift, a joke, something. But he just smiled and said, “I knew you’d love it because it reminded me of you.”

I couldn’t speak. I wanted to believe it was sentimental. I wanted to feel appreciated. But instead, I felt small. I had poured my time, money, and heart into something meaningful… and this was what I got in return.

It wasn’t about the money—it was about feeling valued.