When I caught Iris tossing my brother Donny’s beloved Hawaiian shirts in a trash bag instead of packing them, I knew I had to act. Rather than confront her, I grabbed the bag and slipped the shirts into my trunk. A plan was forming.

Fast forward to Donny and Iris’s new house in Oklahoma. My parents and I arrived with surprise housewarming gifts, and I was ready for my big reveal. Donny, thinking the airline had lost his luggage, looked disappointed when talking about his “missing” shirts. Iris, meanwhile, avoided eye contact, clearly nervous.

Finally, when it was my turn to give Donny his gift, I pulled out the Hawaiian shirts one by one. His face lit up as he laughed in disbelief. Iris stood frozen, realizing she’d been caught, but I just smiled.

Later, she admitted she hated the shirts but felt guilty seeing how much Donny loved them. She even confessed in front of the whole family. Donny, as laid-back as ever, laughed and reassured her. “I love my shirts, but I love you more.”

And just like that, a near disaster turned into a family joke, reminding us all of the little compromises we make for the people we love.