My name is Diana Foster. I’m 53, a single mom in Ridgewood, New Jersey. I raised Natalie and Justin alone after their father left, working hard and always saying yes—tuition, cars, emergencies, everything.
When Natalie got engaged in Paris, she asked me to contribute $40,000 to the wedding. I drained savings and took a loan to help. Six weeks before the ceremony, she emailed to say I wouldn’t be invited—claiming it was best if I watched by livestream. She even ended with “LOL.”
I replied politely, then canceled the final $8,000 payment. The calls and accusations poured in—from Natalie, Justin, even my ex-husband. I was told I was selfish and ruining her wedding. But I held my boundary: I wouldn’t fund an event I wasn’t welcome at.
Then Marcel’s mother emailed me. She’d never asked for my exclusion—Natalie had lied. Confronted, Natalie broke down and admitted she’d taken me and my money for granted. She apologized and asked me to come, no strings attached. I agreed—but made it clear things had to change.
The wedding was smaller and sincere. Natalie publicly thanked me for loving her enough to hold her accountable. Afterward, she began treating me with real respect. Months later, she repaid the $8,000 I’d withheld—not because I demanded it, but because she wanted to make things right.
We’re rebuilding now, honestly. I took my own trip to Italy, upgraded with that returned money. I learned that setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
I didn’t lose my daughter.
I found myself.