logo
A group of people sitting on a bench | Source: Shutterstock
A group of people sitting on a bench | Source: Shutterstock

Man Introduces Fiancée to Grandparents, Grandma Recognizes in Her a Woman from Her Past — Story of the Day

Manuela Cardiga
Apr 07, 2022
12:00 A.M.

Jake was stunned when his grandmother, who had raised him after his parents died, insisted he call off the wedding to the woman he loved.

Advertisement

Jake Barlow was sure he had found the love of his life, and he couldn't wait to marry Kim Tyrell. Jake had been orphaned at a very young age and was raised by his grandparents.

He wanted a big family, a loving family, with lots of children, and so did Kim. Like Jake, she too had been orphaned very young and raised by her grandparents. They were a perfect fit -- or so Jake thought until he introduced Kim to his grandparents.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

Jake met Kim at MIT, which was weird because he later realized their families lived three streets away from each other in their small Montana town -- but they had never met.

Jake and Kim dated all through graduation but they had both agreed to only meet each other's family if things were serious so there would be no bad feelings in the relatively small community.

Advertisement

You can't build a life on malice and rage.

But when graduation came around, Jake popped the question, which was lucky because a few weeks later, Kim discovered she was pregnant. Jake decided to break the news to his grandparents.

"Grandma, grandpa," Jake said. "I have some news for you! A Seattle tech company made me a really great offer, and I'll be taking them up on it."

"Jake..." said his grandmother, Cara. "You're moving to Seattle...All ALONE! That will be so lonely."

"Actually," Jake said. "I'm getting married to Kim."

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

"Married!" cried Grandpa Kevin. "But we never met your girlfriend."

Advertisement

"But I've been talking about her for the last three years!" Jake protested.

"We want to meet her, Jake!" Grandmother Cara said firmly. "Where is she from?"

"Right here," Jake said. "A couple of blocks away. Look!" Jake fished out a photo of Kim with her grandmother and passed it to his grandmother. Grandma Cara turned snow white and quickly handed the photo back before Jake's grandfather could see it.

"Bring her to dinner tomorrow night," she said. "And we'll see about this wedding thing."

That sounded a bit ominous to Jake but he decided that his grandmother, who was terribly protective, was just going through a bit of separation anxiety. As soon as she met Kim she'd love her, he was sure. But he was so wrong...

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

Advertisement

The next evening, Jake brought Kim over and introduced her to his grandparents. Things went wrong from the word 'go.' Grandma Cara was ice-cold and rude to Kim who kept looking over at Jake with a bewildered look on her face.

Jake frowned a warning at his grandmother but she just ignored him. Grandpa Kevin kept staring at Kim and asked her surname after which he kept very quiet. Jake couldn't remember a more awkward or uncomfortable evening.

Things got worse after Jake came back home from walking Kim over to her house. His grandmother was waiting for him. "I want you to call off this engagement," she said. "This girl is all wrong for you."

"You don't even know her! Jake exclaimed.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Pexels

Advertisement

"I know her family, and they are trash!" Grandma Cara screamed. "Trash, do you hear me? She and her mother and her grandmother are trash!"

Jake jumped up. "I love you, Grandma Cara," he cried. "But I will not allow you to talk about Kim or her family like that!"

But Grandma Cara had turned into a woman Jake didn't even recognize. Her face was swollen and red, and thick tendons stood out in her neck. "Her grandmother ruined my life!" she screamed. "I won't let her ruin yours!"

Grandpa Kevin ran in. "What on earth is going on, Cara?" he asked. "Why are you screaming?"

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

"Do you know who that cheap piece is?" asked Cara furiously. "She's the granddaughter of YOUR cheap piece, Tracy! Yes! I knew all about her, so you can stop pretending!"

Advertisement

Grandpa Kevin looked shocked. "Tracy's grandaughter?" he whispered. "I... I haven't seen her in nearly 50 years, Cara. This girl has done nothing to you. She doesn't deserve your hate."

"What is going on?" asked Jake bewildered.

Cara didn't answer. She turned around and screamed: "If you marry that girl, you can forget about seeing me or your grandfather ever again!"

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

"NO!" cried Grandpa Kevin. "I won't allow you to hurt Jake like this. Listen to me Jake, if you love this girl, marry her. Follow your heart. I didn't and I've regretted it for 50 years!"

"How can you say that?" Cara cried and burst into tears.

Advertisement

"I was unhappy," Grandpa Kevin said quietly. "I begged you for a divorce, and you told me I'd never see my children again. So I gave up the love of my life. I stayed, Cara. So leave the kids alone!"

Jake married Kim, but Cara wasn't invited even though Grandpa Kevin was the best man. At the reception, Kim and Jake announced the pregnancy, and Kim's grandmother finally told Kevin the truth.

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

"Fifty years ago, your wife came to see me," Tracy confessed. "She told me she was pregnant, and that I was only one of your many lovers. So... I didn't tell you I was pregnant.

"Kim is our son's daughter. Jake and Kim are half cousins. I should have told you before. I'm sorry."

Advertisement

Grandpa Kevin started crying. "I never even knew my son," he sobbed. "I would have stayed with you..."

Tracy shook her head. "I could never have taken my happiness at the expense of someone else's. It was better this way -- and now we are family."

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only. | Source: Unsplash

Cara was devastated to be left out of her grandson's life, and when Kevin flew to Seattle to be there for the baby's birth, she begged to be allowed to go along. Fifty years too late, she apologized to Kevin.

When she held her grandchild in her arms for the first time, Cara wept. "I'm sorry," she whispered to Kim. "So many years and so much bitterness, and this is the sweetest moment of my life. Thank you."

Advertisement

What can we learn from this story?

  • You can't build a life on malice and rage. Cara had held on to her husband through blackmail and deception, and fifty years later, the truth came out.
  • Making someone choose between two loves is the greatest of cruelties. Cara was so focused on her revenge that she didn't think about her grandson's happiness.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a young woman who goes off to college and misses her family, but her orphaned roommate mocks her until she makes a sad confession.

This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Living Life to the Fullest: 16 Grandmas & Grandpas Proving Age Is Just a Number

November 29, 2023

My Grandma Gave Me a Plastic Sheep on My Birthday for Years & I only Discovered their Secret Purpose after Her Death

March 06, 2024

Orphan Boy Urges Grandpa to Join School Contest, All Mock the Old Man until He Wins Main Prize — Story of the Day

March 03, 2024

My Grandma Gave Me a Plastic Sheep on My Birthday for Years & I only Discovered their Secret Purpose after Her Death

February 03, 2024

Man Certain Rich Grandma Left Him a Large Fortune Finds Only a Note in Her Featherbed — Story of the Day

March 06, 2024

After Grandmother's Death in a Nursing Home, Man Inherits an Envelope with Several Dollar Bills – Story of the Day

March 10, 2024

Old Lady Gives Her Grandson a Dirty Tool Box, He Opens It Only After Her Death — Story of the Day

March 06, 2024

No One Wants to Adopt Boy except His Late Mom’s Best Friend, Bio Dad Shows up 13 Years Later — Story of the Day

March 05, 2024

Fake Cop Detains Young Woman, Unaware Who She Really Is — Story of the Day

January 11, 2024

20 Years after Newborn Daughter’s Death, Man Hears, ‘Dad, I Finally Found You’ – Story of the Day

February 26, 2024

Grandma's Mysterious Friend: Chilling Revelation from Tearful Granddaughter Leaves Family Intrigued

February 23, 2024

I Found Out My DIL Gave Birth to a Child That Was Not My Son's and Didn't Let Her Get Away with It

March 04, 2024

Grandson Believes His Grandmother Left Him Just an Urn of Ashes, Until the Urn Breaks One Day — Story of the Day

March 13, 2024

Neighbors Who Regularly Insult and Threaten My Grandparents Lose Their Home after Grandma Had Enough

December 30, 2023