I’ve always believed that family should be a source of love and support. Unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case with my own family. A few weeks ago, I found myself in a moral dilemma, and I need to know:
Am I the asshole for telling my mom that unless she apologizes, she won’t be invited to my wedding?
The Family Dynamic
My family has never been picture-perfect. My parents divorced when I was just a kid, and it wasn’t the most amicable separation. My mom and dad rarely got along, and their relationship with each other deteriorated over the years
I ended up living with my dad, and I maintained a strained but civil relationship with my mom, which meant seeing her a few times a year.
The Proposal
Fast forward to last year when my partner proposed. It was a beautiful moment, and we decided to have a small, intimate wedding. It was important to us that our day be filled with people who genuinely love and support us. That’s where the predicament begins.
The Incident
About a month ago, my mom and I were on the phone discussing wedding plans. She’d heard through the grapevine about our wedding, and she wanted to be there.
I could tell she was excited, but I was hesitant. You see, my mom had a history of doing some hurtful things.
The Painful Memories
Throughout my childhood, she often let me down. Whether it was missing school events, forgetting birthdays, or being emotionally absent, she never truly fulfilled the role of a loving mother.
It was like I was an afterthought in her life. Over time, I built up this emotional barrier to protect myself.
The Incident That Broke the Camel’s Back
This incident started when she asked about my father’s involvement in the wedding. My dad and I had grown closer over the years, and I wanted him to walk me down the aisle.
My mom took issue with this, insisting that it was her “right” as my mother to perform this role. I tried to explain that it was a matter of personal choice and that my decision didn’t diminish her importance in my life.
She exploded. Hurtful words, accusations, and emotional manipulation spewed from her mouth. She questioned my love for her, and it cut deep. The conversation ended with her hanging up on me.
The Decision to Disinvite
I was left reeling from that conversation. It was clear that she hadn’t changed, and her actions brought back painful memories of my childhood. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. It was as though she was trying to control my wedding, just as she had tried to control my life.
After discussing it with my partner and a few close friends, I made the difficult decision to tell my mom that unless she apologized for her hurtful words and behavior, she wouldn’t be invited to the wedding. I felt this was the only way to set boundaries and protect the sanctity of our special day.
The Fallout
As expected, my decision did not go over well. My mom was furious, and she accused me of being unforgiving, ungrateful, and vindictive. She said that I was making a huge mistake and that I would regret it later in life.
The rest of my family, though aware of my strained relationship with her, were divided in their support. Some understood my perspective, while others thought I was being too harsh.
Am I the Asshole?
So, here’s the million-dollar question: Am I the asshole for telling my mom that unless she apologizes, she won’t be invited to my wedding?
I’m well aware that family can be complicated, and emotions run deep. But I genuinely believe that I deserve a wedding day filled with love and support, not drama and resentment.
In my heart, I feel like I made the right choice, but I can’t help but second-guess myself.
Did I go too far? Was I too unforgiving? Or, considering the pain she’s caused in the past, was this the only way to protect myself and my partner on our special day?
I’m looking for an honest assessment of my actions.