A Simple Invitation
It began with what seemed like a thoughtful gesture an invitation to a baby shower. Reva, someone I’d known since high school, reached out. We weren’t best friends, but we shared history: college life, late-night talks, and helping each other when we could.
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When her invitation came, I thought it was the perfect chance to reconnect. Wanting to contribute something meaningful, I offered to handle the food. My message was simple: “I’ll cook for it! Let me take care of the food.”
Her reply came fast: “OMG YES. You’re a lifesaver.”
Planning the Feast
I didn’t take this lightly. I spent days preparing a menu for fifty people:
- Three trays of biryani
- Two pasta bakes
- Garlic butter chicken
- Lemon tarts
I even took time off work and spent $187 on groceries never asking for reimbursement.
The Unexpected Text
The morning before the shower, while I was busy cooking, I got a text. Not a call. Not even an apology. Just this message:
“Hey love! I’m so grateful you offered to cook! Just a small update we’ve had to limit guests for space, but we’d still love the food if you can bring it. Hope that’s okay!”
In one instant, I was uninvited but my food wasn’t.
A Cousin’s Advice
Shaken, I called my cousin Riya. She didn’t hesitate:
“Absolutely not. You don’t cook for someone who uninvites you but still wants your food. Keep it, donate it, do whatever but don’t let her walk all over you.”
Her advice made sense, but guilt weighed heavy. I had already cooked half the food, so I kept going.
Dropping Off the Food
The day of the shower arrived. I drove over with trays stacked in my car. Reva didn’t even greet me. Instead, her cousin came out, smiled, and said:
“Reva says thank you! This all smells amazing!”
No help carrying the trays. No real gratitude. I drove away with aching arms and an even heavier heart, realizing I had been used.
The Truth Comes Out
The next day, I posted quietly on my private social media: “Made food for 50. Got uninvited. Still dropped it off. Never again.”
Almost immediately, an old friend, Ashir, messaged me: “Wait… was this Reva’s shower? You’re not the only one.”
He explained another friend, Mel, had baked cookies for the shower only to also be uninvited. Later, Mel saw photos of the event: more than 60 guests, multiple dessert tables, and plenty of space.
I checked the pictures myself. The venue was huge. And right there, on the dessert table, were my lemon tarts.
Reva hadn’t run out of space she had used her friends for free food and cut them from the guest list.
Unexpected Validation
When I updated my post, more people shared similar stories about Reva. But the most meaningful message came from her mom:
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. What you did—feeding that crowd was more gracious than she deserved.”
Her words gave me the validation I needed.
Reva herself only texted me three days later. Not to apologize but to scold me for making things “too public.” My reply was simple: “I thought you were better than this too. I guess we both learned something.” Then I chose silence.
A New Beginning
Out of all this, something positive bloomed. Ashir suggested I start a catering business: “People already love your food. You should get paid for it.”
I took the leap. Within a month of starting my catering Instagram page, I booked my first paying client. Last week, I catered a hospital fundraiser for 200 people with two helpers by my side.
And the sweetest detail? A supportive comment on my business page from none other than Reva’s mom: “Proud of you. Let me know if you ever need referrals.”
The Lesson: Boundaries Matter
This wasn’t just baby shower drama. It was a turning point.
I learned that kindness doesn’t mean being a doormat. If you give freely, some people will take advantage. But when you set boundaries and value your time, the right people will respect it.
I may have been uninvited but I gained something much bigger: self-respect, a thriving catering business, and a reminder that boundaries protect your worth.
Q: What should you do if someone uninvites you but still wants your help?
Set boundaries. You are under no obligation to provide your time, money, or effort if you’re being disrespected.
Q: Was this story real?
Yes, it’s a real personal account that went viral online because many people related to being used by so-called friends.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson from this experience?
That valuing your own time and effort is essential. People who truly care will respect your boundaries.
Q: How did this turn into something positive?
What began as a painful betrayal became the push to start a catering business—something the author now thrives in.