Husband Accidently Exposes A 50-Year-Old Family Secret At Christmas

Some secrets are hidden from us by the people around us—they can be from a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend. As noted by Dr. Esther Perel, a renowned couples therapist, "Secrets can create a barrier in relationships, often leading to feelings of betrayal when they are revealed." In a poignant example, a husband shared his wife's 50-year family secret. During the 1960s, when her mother became pregnant as a teenager, the family sent her to a convent, where she gave birth to a baby boy who was later adopted. His father-in-law was aware of this before their marriage 50 years ago but never disclosed it. Teenage pregnancy was heavily stigmatized during that era, making his mother-in-law fearful of revealing such a secret. However, as she considered a DNA test, the couple decided to gift their parents DNA kits for Christmas, alongside the usual family photos. They never anticipated this would lead to the revelation that his wife has an older brother. Now, he wonders if he made a mistake by sharing this information.

Here's what the husband posted on Reddit:

via: cjasonac

The mother-in-law has always been into genealogy.

via: cjasonac

The big revelation: wife has a brother!

via: cjasonac

That explains why the mother-in-law hesitated when they gave the DNA test kits.

via: cjasonac

The DNA test kits they gifted for Christmas made the mother-in-law confess to being pregnant as a teenager in the 1960s.

via: cjasonac

This person also did a genealogy test, and it turned out he's only his siblings' half-brother.

via: jcpmojo

This person said he was adopted and found his biological parents.

via: MNConcerto

The husband gave his mother-in-law a wonderful gift.

via: flipside888

This person said that nearly the same thing happened to her 50 years ago.

via: Mortiouss

This person said that her mom cheated on her dad many times.

via: WifeNextDoor468

The husband has convinced this person to take the DNA test as well.

via: rudepetal

Congratulations!

via: experfailist

The same thing happened to this person's mom in the 1960s, except that her mom was sent off to live with her grandma for six months in the big city, on the other side of the state.

via: katlian

This person's sister bought their mom a testing kit as well, but her mom refused to take it.

via: SuperMarv

This person hopes to find her uncle, whom her grandma put up for adoption in the 1960s.

via: tana-ryu

This person's wife refuses to take one for the same reason, and her father was not the most monogamous person.

via: toomuch1265

Interesting story!

via: robeeen

Genealogy is super interesting. See how it can bring families together?

via: Equitynz via: Blahdedah1959

This person says their sibling looks different from the rest of them, and they do not desire any DNA test. Their sibling is their sibling.

via: 2krazy4me

Ladies will take that secret to their graves.

via: walterblanco1

The 60s out-of-wedlock baby was indeed a shameful secret.

via: SusanSickles

Cool story!

via: Azkyle50

Everyone else has juicy DNA test stories.

via: SushiThief

This person shares his own DNA story too.

via: jbrittain0725

Although the husband posted this as a TIFU, people have not responded much to the question. Instead, they shared their own family's secrets as well.

Many can surely relate to this story and say it's normal; every family has a secret. Some have problems reconnecting with their families and want to take the same DNA test.