I never expected my first Thanksgiving as a married woman to become a family legend. But with a golden turkey, our dog Bella, and Mark’s panicked decision, it turned into a story we’d laugh about for years.

Eight months into my marriage with Mark, I wanted everything to be perfect for our first Thanksgiving and housewarming. Mark had been supportive throughout the preparations, helping with everything from cleaning to chopping vegetables.

The house was bustling with family, and I was feeling good about my plans. But when I realized we were out of ketchup, Mark offered to grab some. As time passed, I became anxious as guests grew hungry.

Finally, Mark arrived, looking flustered, and in an unexpected move, he grabbed the turkey and threw it in the trash. The room went silent. Then chaos ensued, with guests joking about the turkey’s fate.

Mark confessed he had found Bella licking the turkey while he was out, and in a panic, he tried to rinse it off before deciding to throw it away. The room erupted in laughter, and the “Great Turkey Incident” became a new family legend.

We ended up serving a backup ham, and despite the chaos, it was the most memorable Thanksgiving we’d had. Mark apologized, but I reassured him, “This is going to be a story we tell for years.” Some memories, I realized, aren’t perfect—they’re made in unexpected, messy moments.