Momlogic's Annie: When the secret's out, what's the right thing to do?

My husband's office decided to throw us a baby shower. His co-worker was also expecting, so it was a double shower. I thought it was so sweet, so I took the day off of my job, spent days figuring out my hippest maternity outfit and took a train while 7 months pregnant in the middle of the summer to attend the event. It was lovely. The office had closed early that Friday afternoon, and the entire staff attended.

When I first noticed the wife of the other expecting couple, my initial thought was that she was further along than me, and had skinnier arms than Heidi Klum. Let's call her Woman X. I also noticed that she said all the right things. Note: When I showed up an hour late because of a train delay, I immediately launched into a story about how my cabbie tried to jip me, but I was smart enough to have the Mapquested directions in my purse--very high-end stuff.

The differences continued, and it was hard not to notice them. She was quietly sitting sipping her decaf iced tea, laughing when appropriate. I talked too much and laughed at my own jokes. I ate the feta on my salad. She didn't. I said I was going back to work after a few months. She planned to stay home and "teach" her baby--'til college, I can only assume.

Anyway, as with all showers, the uncomfortable gifting began. The first present I opened? A gift from her! She had been thoughtful enough to think to get us a present. I also knew that the shower was a joint affair, but getting them a present hadn't crossed my mind. It was adorable -- a giant frog-shaped scoop that stores bath-toys. I was so embarrassed. At this point I surrendered and thanked her for being so nice, and apologized for not being thoughtful at all. She did little to ease my pain, and needless to say we didn't become besties.

Time moved forward, I had my baby and ran into Woman X at the holiday party. She, of course, was back to her perfect figure and sat politely next to her husband. I, on the other hand, was thrilled to be baby-free and out of the house. I got hammered and convinced the rest of the party to go clubbing after dinner where I proceeded to dance badly and let mascara run down my face. She went home.

When my baby was about 6 months old, I opened up the package with the frog scoop in it. As much as it killed me, I was excited to use it. Lo and behold, inside that box was a card. A card for me you ask? NO. This was a card for Woman X. In fact, it was a card that read, "Dear Woman X, I loved this frog when I had my little one. We hope you'll enjoy it too. Love, Woman Y"!!!! This card was red-handed proof of a re-gift! Someone else had given this to her as a gift for her private baby shower, and for whatever reason, she didn't want it and gave it to me.

At first I was furious. How dare she claim perfection when truly she's a perfection imposter? She made me feel so stupid when I was so much less thoughtful than her. But then, I appreciated the humor in it. Most of us re-gift-- especially baby stuff--but we never get caught. I thought about sending her the card and saying, "Hey, Woman X, you left this behind." But I thought better of it. I decided to post this story--my own (sort of) private revenge.

Win my favorite re-gift here! (This one is brand new and not re-gifted)