I saved for a year to buy my dream Louis Vuitton purse—skipping takeout, selling things, working extra. It wasn’t just a bag; it symbolized how far I’d come. But during a casual lunch, my husband gave it to his mom without asking. He thought it was no big deal. It was.

Years earlier, he gave away my favorite vintage casserole dish at a potluck. I told him not to give away my things again. Clearly, he didn’t listen. So, I taught him a lesson. I “gave” his beloved, $3000 golf clubs to our plumber—his pride and joy. He freaked out. Only then did he understand how it felt. After a tense but honest conversation, he finally got it: it was never about the purse, it was about respect. Some lessons need to be lived, not explained.