He Bought a Costly Gift for a Friend’s Baby, but a the Gift was Overshadowed by a Tragic Event Concerning the Child.

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In an intricate tale of friendship, giving, and loss, the Original Poster (OP) navigates a delicate situation involving a generous gift, a long-time family friend named Jen, and an unfortunate turn of events. Amidst a swirl of emotions, the climax hits as OP and her husband grapple with an unanticipated dilemma revolving around an expensive gift rendered potentially obsolete by a tragic miscarriage. The tension escalates as the couple tries to balance their concern for Jen, the plight of the unused gift, and societal expectations, leaving readers on tenterhooks about the ultimate resolution.

Unexpected Friendship

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OP’s husband nurtures an enduring friendship with Jen, a long-term family friend. Despite OP and Jen not sharing a close bond, they maintain a friendly demeanor toward each other. When Jen became pregnant with her first child, OP’s husband showed his support by buying a pricey item from her baby registry.

The Second Announcement

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In time, Jen and her husband established themselves as high earners. Jen surprised everyone by announcing a second pregnancy early and sending a new registry replete with costly items. OP found this odd, given Jen’s financial security and the early stage of her pregnancy.

Doubts and Decisions

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The request for another high-priced gift from an already well-off family left OP puzzled and curious. While initially unsure about another lavish gift, OP gave the final decision to her husband. Without hesitation, he spent approximately $400 on another gift for his long-time friend.

A Tragic Turn

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Just weeks after the generous gesture, Jen suffered a traumatic miscarriage. This devastating event shocked everyone and left Jen heartbroken, potentially unable to carry future pregnancies. OP, though not close to Jen, deeply sympathized with her.

The Gift Dilemma

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After the traumatic event, OP and her husband were left unsure about what to do with the gift, which was unusable by Jen’s older child. Asking Jen to return it seemed unkind, adding a burden to her grief. However, the idea of the expensive gift sitting unused troubled the couple.

The Search for Resolution

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Hoping to resolve the matter, OP considered different options. Asking Jen to repay the money felt equally cruel, yet the thought of the gift being wasted unsettled OP. As high earners themselves, the loss was not dire, but the value of the item made it worth salvaging.

The Awkward Ask

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OP contemplated if it would be wrong to ask for the gift back. While the prime objective was to recover the money, an alternative was to give the gift to someone who could use it. Navigating this sensitive topic without pressuring Jen was a challenge.

Community Feedback

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Seeking advice, OP turned to others for feedback. The consensus was clear: asking Jen about the gift was not the best action. This perspective reaffirmed the couple’s hesitations about further adding to Jen’s burden.

The Path Ahead

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Considering the advice received, the couple decided not to inquire about the gift. The hope was that Jen would use the gift or donate it to someone in need. This decision was made with respect to Jen’s healing process, acknowledging the situation’s sensitivity.

Understanding Relationships

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The two women weren’t close since Jen was a friend of OP’s husband, not OP herself. The long history between Jen and OP’s husband justified his generous gift. However, OP wished he had waited, given the early stage of Jen’s pregnancy.

The Strains of Differences

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OP admitted that her relationship with Jen was unlikely to grow due to their diverging worldviews. This wasn’t born of ill will but rather of personal differences. Despite this, OP expressed sympathy for Jen’s loss, having experienced miscarriages herself.

A Pain Shared

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OP’s empathy for Jen’s loss was evident, even if she wasn’t personally devastated by it. She shared a mutual understanding of the pain and the loss, having walked a similar path before. This empathy brought a silent connection between them.

The Lingering Regret

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OP was bothered by her husband’s haste in sending the gift despite her cautionary advice about the early stage of Jen’s pregnancy. Accepting the situation, OP decided to let things unfold naturally without intervening. She respected Jen’s grief and her path toward recovery.

Was The Couple’s Behavior Appropriate?

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OP posted her story online for feedback. The readers in the community forum had a lot of mixed views on the matter. Here are some of their responses:

Forum Responds

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One reader said, “It was a gift. It shouldn’t come with terms and conditions. You gave it away. It’s gone.”

Another Commenter Thinks

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Another responder wrote, “She’s just lost her baby. Don’t kick someone when they’re down. When she’s ready, she will probably sell your gift and use the money for something else, hopefully, something that brings her joy.”

A Third View on The Story

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A different person stated, “You chose to spend a lot of money. You didn’t have to. There’s no tactful way to ask for it back. It’ll look petty and greedy, so they’ll either try to return everything if they rent to or donate it, but once the gifts are given you should let it go.”