Dear Abby on Vacation Invite and Platonic Roommate

A wife from Ohio is grappling with frustration after her husband unilaterally invited their adult son to join what was meant to be their first child-free vacation in two decades, a long-awaited trip to Disneyland that the couple had saved for years to afford.

The woman, who wrote to syndicated advice columnist Abigail Van Buren under the pseudonym "Disappointed in Ohio," described a blended family of eight children now grown and living across the country. For 20 years of marriage, the couple had always prioritized family visits over personal getaways. With their youngest son recently relocating to Los Angeles, near the theme park, she had meticulously planned the itinerary for just the two of them, including tickets, tours and meals. However, her husband extended invitations for the son to participate in all activities, from park visits to dinners, citing his proximity.

She agreed to one shared dinner but emphasized the need for couple-only time, noting, "This was supposed to be our time. We deserve this!" The situation escalated when her husband threatened not to go at all unless their son joined every part of the trip. In her letter, she sought guidance on convincing him to...