John is a nurse practitioner specializing in low-risk maternity cases.
Working Together
He works closely with doctors and midwives to ensure a healthy maternity, birth, and postpartum experience for all moms in his practice.
A Love Story
Joy, his fiancée, has just finished her residency. The couple have lived together for several years.
Delayed Plans
They planned to marry a few years back, but their busy schedule delayed the plans.
Love at a Steady Pace
While they aren’t rushing to walk down the aisle, they have decided to exchange vows in June.
A Clash of Values
John is the youngest son of very religious parents. They are bothered by the fact that he and Joy are living together without being married.
John isn’t concerned about their views since he is of age to make his own decisions.
A Family Get-Together
They planned to visit John’s parents for the holidays. Aside from his parents, his three siblings, their seven children, and his fiancée will also be present. In total, they plan to be around 17 people.
Embarrassment No More
During dinner, John’s mom expressed relief that they were finally getting married so she wouldn’t be embarrassed at church.
Proud Traditions
His dad proudly mentioned that his three older children were either married before living together or shortly after moving in.
Troubling Tensions
This ongoing discussion upset John, while Joy felt embarrassed. He had repeatedly asked his parents to accept his choices and not try to control his life. This family dinner was the last straw.
Shifting Gears
To shift the conversation, John began discussing a premature baby he had read about. This baby, born almost three months premature, weighed only 1.6 pounds but had high hopes for a healthy future.
Drastic Turn
This unexpected topic stunned John’s parents. It was sensitive, as his oldest brother was allegedly born almost four months premature.
At this point, John suggested bringing out the family album, where all birth records are kept.
Unearthing Family History
John already knew his brother weighed over 9 pounds and was almost 23 inches long when he was born, which did not align with the story of his brother being premature. Those were not the measurements of a premature baby.
He learned this information from his grandmother. The two were close, and she told him about it the first time John’s parents tried to shame his living situation.
Keeping Private Matters Private
His parents changed the subject very quickly – they clearly did not want the birth records to be brought out. At this point, his parents realized John knew their secret.
After supper, his parents later told him not to embarrass them with private matters that weren’t his concern.
Drawing the Line
John warned them that if he ever heard about his living arrangements again, he’d mention that his mom was in her second trimester when they married.
Family Feud Unresolved
His parents were upset with him for telling them how to behave in their home. Joy was relieved that the topic seemed to be off the table for good.
John turned to an online forum to ask if his actions were wrong.
Blackmail
A commenter said he handled the situation beautifully, didn’t publicly shame them, and stood his ground. He continued that he had a good laugh when he mentioned the source of his ‘blackmail’ information and said, “Sounds like Grandma had that tidbit up her sleeve for a while.”
Team Grandma
Another user contributed, saying, “Team Grandma all the way! She must have had that ready because she was fed up with the hypocrites. Your response was spot on.”
Finesse in Action
Another user said he initially asked that they respect his life choices politely but had to resort to a more decisive measure in the face of their persistent rudeness.
Considering their hypocrisy, lack of manners, and self-awareness, the user felt John handled it with finesse and conveyed his message well.
A Truth-Filled Feast
One user contributed by saying thanks to Grandma; it was a truth-filled Christmas dinner where her parents got run over by the reindeer of truth.
Another commenter agreed and said he was on board with everyone applauding John for expertly handling the situation. The expression ‘run over by the reindeer of truth’ pleased them immensely. It would be a permanent addition to their vocabulary.
Grandma’s Wisdom
A commenter recounted their own grandma’s wisdom, who used to say, “The first baby after marriage can come anytime, but the second one always takes nine months.”
In the Spirit of Confession
Another user enthusiastically expressed their enjoyment of the situation. They shared a personal story about their own judgmental grandmother, who faked a similar air of old-fashioned “morality.” They concluded by noting the irony that those with the most secrets to hide often relish passing judgment on matters that are none of their concern.
Man Refuses To Change His Seat to Accommodate Woman’s Religious Beliefs. Was He Wrong?
His Family Wanted Nothing To Do With Him Due To His Hearing Impediment. That All Changed When They Learned About His Daughter
She Refuses to Support Her Younger Brother, After He Comes Out As Gay, Leaves His Wife, and Moves In With His Boyfriend
Susan is the founder of Susan's Socials, a social media agency focused on Flipboard. She is also a content curator, encouraging a healthy lifestyle through topics such as pets, food, travel, home decor, gardening, and fashion.
