I thought I was being a good wife, throwing a festive dinner for my husband Todd’s 35th birthday. But just as the guests were about to arrive, he told me he was ditching the party to watch the game at a bar. What happened next? Let’s just say, I got the last laugh.
You’d think six years of marriage would teach someone a little gratitude, but not Todd. Every year, I’d pour my heart and soul into his birthday, only for him to take it all for granted.
This year, though, his entitlement hit a whole new level.
A man standing in a kitchen | Source: Midjourney
Six years. That’s how long Todd and I have been married.
Don’t get me wrong, our relationship isn’t all bad. Todd can be charming when he wants to be, and we’ve had some wonderful times together. But there’s one thing about him that drives me absolutely up the wall.
His entitlement.
Take last Thanksgiving, for example. Todd had this brilliant idea to host a dinner for both of our families. He announced it at breakfast one day, grinning like he’d solved world hunger.
Breakfast on a table | Source: Pexels
“Claire,” he said, “I think we should host Thanksgiving this year.”
“Okay,” I replied. “That sounds nice. How are we dividing up the responsibilities?”
He waved me off like I’d just asked him to do a headstand.
“Oh, you’re so much better at that stuff,” he said. “I’ll handle… I don’t know, drinks or something. Just make it memorable, alright?”
I should’ve known better, but I went along with it.
For two weeks, I planned and prepped while Todd played fantasy football and occasionally asked me, “You need me to pick up anything?”
A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
On the big day, I roasted the turkey, whipped up sides, and even made two pies.
And Todd? He carried the cooler of beer into the living room. That’s it.
After dinner, as everyone raved about the food and decor, Todd decided it was time to take credit for everything.
“Glad you all love it,” he said. “I wanted it to be special this year.”
I thought I’d misheard him.
“Oh, really?” I asked. “What part did you want special? The green bean casserole or the centerpiece?”
A woman standing in her living room | Source: Midjourney
He ignored me, of course.
And that’s Todd in a nutshell. He wants the credit without lifting a finger.
Then there was last year on his birthday.
I spent weeks creating a customized photo album, filling it with pictures from our travels and special moments together. I couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he unwrapped it.
But when he was done flipping through the pages, he just said, “Oh. So, where’s the real gift?”
It wasn’t just his words that hurt. It was the sheer audacity.
A woman looking at her husband | Source: Midjourney
I’d married a man who once wrote me poetry, and now he couldn’t appreciate a heartfelt gesture. That moment shattered something in me.
It made me realize he wasn’t the man I’d fallen for anymore.
And then came his 35th birthday. The final straw.
We were having dinner when Todd casually told me his plans.
“Claire, I want a big, proper birthday dinner this year,” he said. “Invite the family, my buddies, everyone.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You mean you want me to plan it?”
A woman in her house | Source: Midjourney
“Well, yeah,” he said. “You’re good at this stuff. Just make it decent, alright? I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of everyone.”
“Decent?” I repeated.
“Yeah, just don’t go overboard or anything. Keep it classy.”
You see the entitlement here? See the way he thinks he deserves a birthday party while knowing how he’d hurt me with his words last time?
Honestly, I didn’t want to agree, but I decided to give him another chance. After all, it was his birthday, and I wanted to make it special even if he didn’t deserve it.
A close-up shot of a woman’s eyes | Source: Midjourney
For the next two weeks, I threw myself into planning Todd’s “big, proper birthday dinner.” If he wanted classy, I’d give him classy.
I drafted an impressive menu that had spinach-stuffed chicken, rosemary potatoes, a charcuterie board with cheeses I couldn’t pronounce, and a three-layer chocolate cake that would be the pièce de résistance.
Every day after work, I’d come home, tie my hair up, and get to work cleaning, organizing, and prepping. I even borrowed extra chairs and a folding table from our neighbor, Janice, just to make sure everyone would have a seat.
Todd’s contribution? Absolutely nothing.
A woman cleaning the house | Source: Pexels
“I’m swamped at work,” he said one night, kicking off his shoes and plopping onto the couch. “But you’ve got this, babe. You’re good at these things.”
Good at these things? I was so tired I could’ve cried.
But instead of snapping, I smiled and said, “Yeah, I’ve got this.”
The day of the party finally arrived.
I woke up early, determined to make everything perfect.
A woman standing in the hallway | Source: Midjourney
The house was spotless. The table was set with matching linens and little name cards I’d handwritten. The appetizers were chilling, the main courses simmering, and the cake was decorated with edible gold flakes.
Yes, I went that far.
Todd strolled into the kitchen around noon, scrolling through his phone as usual. He barely glanced at the spread I’d laid out.
“Looks good,” he muttered as he opened the fridge to grab a soda.
“Looks good?” I repeated, half-joking but half-hoping he’d notice the effort I’d put in.
A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
“Yeah,” he said, shutting the fridge door. Then, like it was no big deal, he added, “But hey, uh, don’t bother finishing all this.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m heading to the bar with the guys to watch the game instead. Cancel everything. Tell everyone something came up.”
“You’re ditching your own birthday dinner?” I asked. “Todd, I’ve been planning this for weeks!”
“It’s not a big deal, Claire,” he shrugged it off. “Just call everyone and tell them we’re busy or something. They’ll understand.”
A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
“They’ll understand?” My voice rose. “Todd, people are already on their way! You told me to make this decent and now you’re leaving?”
“I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of the guys,” he said, ending the conversation.
Then, he grabbed his jacket and walked out of the door.
“You can’t do this, Todd!” I shouted, but he’d already left.
I was so heartbroken. I’d poured my heart, soul, and savings into this dinner, and he just walked out like it was nothing.
A woman looking outside the window | Source: Midjourney
Cancel everything? After all the work I’d done?
But more than anything, I felt humiliated.
How could he treat me like this? How could he brush off all my efforts as if they didn’t matter?
I stared at the table while the candles flickered mockingly.
Is this what you’re worth, Claire? I asked myself. Is this how you’ll let Todd treat you? No. You can’t do this.
At that point, I decided I wouldn’t cancel the dinner. I won’t allow him to make me feel bad again.
A woman standing in a living room | Source: Midjourney
If Todd wanted to act like a spoiled brat, I’d let him, but not without showing him what “embarrassing” really looked like. He had no idea who he was messing with.
I grabbed my phone and sent a group text to all the guests:
Party’s still on! Change of plans. Meet us at the bar on the main street near our place. Bring your appetite!
Then, I got to work.
I packed all the food and loaded it into the car. Then, I drove straight to the bar Todd had mentioned.
A woman driving | Source: Pexels
When I arrived, the place was already buzzing with noise. I looked around and spotted Todd sitting at a table with his buddies, his back to the door. He was completely oblivious to my presence.
“Uh, ma’am? Can I help you?” the bartender asked with wide eyes after noticing the trays of food I was carrying.
I flashed him my sweetest smile. “Oh, I’m just here to share a meal with some people who’ll actually appreciate it.”
A woman standing in a bar | Source: Midjourney
I picked a table near the bar, in full view of Todd’s group, and began unpacking dish after dish. The aroma of the food quickly caught everyone’s attention. Patrons nearby craned their necks to see what was going on.
“What’s this about?” one man asked, gesturing toward the feast I was setting up.
I raised my voice just enough to carry across the room. “Oh, this was supposed to be my husband’s birthday dinner. But he decided to ditch me and come here, so I thought, why let all this food go to waste?”
A woman looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
The room erupted in murmurs and laughter, and a few people even clapped. That’s when Todd finally turned around and spotted me.
He immediately stormed over while his buddies murmured amongst themselves.
“Claire! What the hell are you doing?” he hissed, his eyes darting nervously between me and the growing crowd.
I didn’t even look at him.
Instead, I addressed the nearest group of patrons. “You like ham? Help yourselves! There’s cake coming too.”
A close-up shot of food in a plate | Source: Pexels
Just as Todd sputtered out another protest, the front door swung open, and in walked his parents, my parents, his sister, and our cousins.
They looked at us, then at the food, and then at all the people munching on what was supposed to be a formal dinner.
Todd’s mom, bless her bluntness, walked right up to him. “What’s going on, Todd? Claire said to meet here for your birthday dinner, but why is she serving food in a bar?”
An older woman | Source: Midjourney
Todd looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor.
“Uh, it’s complicated, Mom,” he muttered.
“Oh, I’d love to explain!” I intervened. “Todd decided that watching the game with his friends was more important than the dinner he demanded I plan. So, I brought the dinner to him!”
His dad shook his head. “How disrespectful,” he muttered.
Meanwhile, my mom grabbed a plate and said, “Well, the food smells amazing. Let’s eat!”
A woman in a bar | Source: Midjourney
Soon, both our families joined the other patrons and dug into the feast I’d worked so hard on.
And Todd’s friends? They were still laughing at his expense and told him they’ll never forget this day.
By the time I brought out the cake, the bar felt like a full-blown party. On top of the cake, in bold frosting letters, I had written:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SELFISH HUSBAND!
The bar erupted in laughter when I read it aloud, but Todd wasn’t too happy about that.
A man laughing | Source: Pexels
“Was this really necessary, Claire?” he muttered under his breath.
I tilted my head, smiling sweetly. “Absolutely.”
Once everyone was done, I started packing up the empty trays. That’s when the bartender stopped me.
“Ma’am, you’re a legend,” he said. “Drinks on the house if you ever come back. Without him, of course!”
I chuckled. “Thank you! I’ll definitely drop by sometime.”
The families didn’t stick around long after the food was gone. My dad gave me a proud nod as he left, while Todd’s mom told him he could’ve done better.
An older woman speaking to her son | Source: Midjourney
As we drove back home, Todd kept muttering about being “humiliated.” Once we were back, he protested even more.
“Claire, you humiliated me in front of everyone!” he said, throwing his hands in the air.
“No, Todd,” I shot back. “You humiliated yourself. And for the record, don’t expect another homemade meal anytime soon.”
He knew he couldn’t argue with me at that point. He just turned around and stormed off to the bedroom.
A doorknob | Source: Pexels
It’s been two weeks since that night, and I kid you not, Todd has changed. Well, mostly.
His unrealistic demands have dialed down, and he’s been unusually polite, almost as if he’s afraid I’ll pull another stunt like that. He hasn’t apologized outright for ditching me, but his sheepish behavior says enough.
I guess now he knows I’m not the kind of wife who’ll roll over and take his nonsense anymore. If nothing else, that’s a win in my book.
A woman standing by a window | Source: Pexels
What would you have done if you were in my shoes?
“The stunning ‘Daisy Duke’ looks completely different now – her famous legs were once insured for a million dollars.”
Back in 1979, my Friday nights were spent glued to CBS, eagerly waiting for The Dukes of Hazzard to come on.
As a young boy, I was infatuated with ‘Daisy Duke.’ Honestly, every guy who grew up in the late ’70s probably had a crush on her. The gorgeous brunette was played by the effortlessly stunning Catherine Bach.
Now at 70, Catherine looks quite different, but you can’t help but smile when you see her recent photos…
How many TV characters leave such a lasting fashion legacy? Catherine Bach, forever known as Daisy Duke, cemented her place in pop culture history.
The beautiful actress, who famously had her legs insured, rose to fame in the late ’70s and ’80s. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she became iconic for her bold wardrobe choices—being one of the first to rock short shorts on TV.
But those who think Catherine was just another pretty face couldn’t be more mistaken.
She had the creativity, confidence, and smarts to shape the character that defined her career.
For instance, the producers of Dukes of Hazzard wanted her to wear a tight white turtleneck, go-go boots, and a poodle skirt for the role. But Catherine took matters into her own hands, designing her own wardrobe. She even handmade many of the outfits, including her signature look.
Today, cut-off denim shorts are still known as “Daisy Dukes,” and it’s amazing that girls continue to wear them, sometimes not even realizing the name’s connection to the show.
A Dolly Parton Look-alike
Catherine Bach was born in Warren, Ohio, in 1954. She had a unique upbringing, splitting her time between her father’s ranch in South Dakota and summers with her mother in California after her parents’ divorce.
While spending time in California, Catherine attended drama school and fell in love with acting. Just two days after finishing high school, she hopped on a plane to Hollywood, determined to make it.
She went through a list of agents in town, visiting every one until she found someone willing to take her on as a client.
The aspiring actress, determined to break into movies, landed a few small roles before learning about an audition for a show called The Dukes of Hazzard. It was her then-husband, David Shaw (Angela Lansbury’s stepson), who brought the opportunity to her attention.
“My husband was a contractor… and he liked to hire struggling actors, writers, and producers. One of them was painting our house while writing a show about an old moonshiner called The Dukes of Hazzard,” Catherine revealed to Beaver County Times in 1981.
Catherine recalled that the producers were originally looking for someone resembling Dolly Parton to play Daisy Duke, envisioning a woman with big blonde hair, a curvy figure, and an hourglass shape. Despite not fitting the description, Catherine auditioned and impressed everyone, landing the role the same night.
The Dukes of Hazzard quickly became a massive success, ranking as one of the top TV shows of the late ’70s. While critics weren’t fans, the general public loved it. The show had everything—car chases, cheesy jokes, and a stunning lead actress.
Catherine Bach’s portrayal of Daisy Duke turned her into a household name. Many fans tuned in just to see her, and her character was adored by viewers.
“Daisy is a mix of many people I’ve known. She’s part of the wildest girl I knew in high school, part of a few close friends I had in Georgia, and there’s a lot of Dolly Parton in her too. She’s also a lot like me when I was a waitress—independent, tough, and able to do anything the guys could do,” Catherine explained in 1979.
In the late ’70s, Catherine represented natural beauty. She had no cosmetic enhancements—no implants, Botox, or veneers.
Within the show, she played the sweet, slightly naive southern belle with strong morals, but it was her good looks and charm that captivated viewers.She wasn’t covered in tattoos, didn’t have unusual piercings or dyed hair—she was simply a down-to-earth, naturally beautiful woman.
Famously, her legs were insured for $1,000,000, adding yet another layer to her star appeal.
Husband’s Tragic Death
After The Dukes of Hazzard ended in 1985, Catherine struggled to maintain the same level of stardom. She appeared in a few low-budget films, and her career slowed down.
However, she later gained recognition for her role as Margo Dutton in the popular Canadian series African Skies. Some fans might also remember her recurring role as Anita Lawson in The Young and the Restless.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 2010 when her husband, entertainment lawyer Peter Lopez, passed away. The couple had married in 1990 and remained together until his untimely death.
“He was the love of my life,” Catherine shared with People magazine.
Catherine’s husband tragically took his own life, leaving her with countless questions and few answers. He wasn’t struggling with addiction, rarely drank, and they enjoyed a stable financial life together.
So what led him to this decision?
“There’s a lot of stress in the music industry, but Peter was always composed and collected,” she shared with People.
“The more time that passes, the more I feel he did this to protect us. Something must have happened that he couldn’t move past.”
Confronted with profound loss and overwhelming grief, Catherine dedicated herself to her family. She paused her career to support her daughters, Laura Esmerelda and Sophia Isabella, who were only 11 and 14 at the time.
Catherine couldn’t afford to fall apart; she did everything she could to hold their family together as their home was “swarmed with reporters, the coroner’s office, and various people.”
“I realize these girls are my legacy, and Peter’s legacy. They represent our love and our values about family. I couldn’t allow myself to focus on my own feelings,” she expressed to Huffington Post.
Ultimately, the actress found strength through her faith.
“I prayed a lot. I attended church frequently. I’m Catholic and maintained a close relationship with my priest, whom I deeply trust… That’s what kept me going.”
Catherine Bach Today
In 2024, it will mark 40 years since The Dukes of Hazzard concluded, and Catherine, of course, looks quite different from that young star of years past. Yet one thing remains unchanged: her radiant smile! Catherine has aged beautifully and is still a lovely woman.
During her time as Daisy Duke, she stayed fit by “dancing three hours a day, hiking, and swimming.” Her athleticism not only aided her in the role but also helped her fit into those notoriously tiny shorts.
“The hardest part of wearing the shorts was keeping them zipped,” she once admitted.
However, things have changed a bit over the years. Like many of us, she has experienced fluctuations in weight as she ages.
“I’ve gained a little weight, but who cares?” she told People.
In 2022, the actress was spotted in public for the first time in a while, enjoying some retail therapy in Los Angeles. The stunning star of the 1970s traded her tiny shorts for large sunglasses, black sneakers, and a cross-body phone case.
Many fans noted that the years have changed her and struggled to recognize the former star—but that’s quite normal.
While people age, their character and personality can often shine even brighter. Catherine has always been, and continues to be, a true sweetheart.
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