Do the “girls” do this often, or is the weekend an infrequent gift to themselves and one another? Did your daughter have only limited say in which weekend they chose? Time with friends is important regardless and, in the right balance, makes people better parents and spouses. It is especially valuable if her group-hug support is limited.

Right! A few years ago I missed my dad doing his inaugural lecture at Cambridge because I go away with my friends every year for Hallowe'en. This is a set of friends that combines BFFs I see all the time with people I only see for that weekend, it's a big deal, and so my family totally understood and didn't say a word. Obvs daughter is different from spouse but it's still like... jesus can your daughter prioritise friends over her husband without getting judged harshly??? Especially when other support will be there for him??

What are you and I doing here, besides taking part in the national sport of harrumphing about other people’s life choices?

Heh.