People Confess Secrets They Never Tell Partners

From Redditor u/Adventurous-Listen46:

I saw my father-in-law kiss another woman. I took a photo, but he missed it. Later, I showed him the picture. He admitted he had cheated with this woman for years. He promised to stop if I did not tell his wife.

I have not told her, nor have I told my wife. I will never tell because I do not want to ruin the family.

From Redditor u/trianglesteve:

Shortly beforewe got married, both my parents tried to make me cancel the wedding because they disliked my then-fiancée. This hurt me. I respect my parents and usually trust their judgment, but they were completely wrong.

I would never tell my wife because she has severe anxiety and depression. She constantly struggles to believe everyone thinks the worst of her. Telling her would bring no good.

We’ve been married six years; we are still strong, so listen to your parents!

From Redditor u/turtlestevenson:

My wife had a difficult childhood and was thrilled to be a mother. Though she did not say it directly, I knew she wanted our daughter's first word to be "mama." My wife adopted a "whatever happens, happens" attitude.

Every time I was alone with our daughter, I took a few minutes to show her pictures and videos of my wife and said "mama" repeatedly.

My daughter said "mama" as my wife fed her in the living room one day. I have never seen her happier. It was completely worth it.

From Redditor u/Fast-Two-4807:

My mother-in-law died at home during vacation. She was healthy, eighty-eight years old.

I had her information. I logged on and found texts and the time her Apple Watch stopped moving to the time she was found was about nine hours. I told my husband I checked, and it was only forty-five minutes.

I did not want him to know she was on the floor all night.

From Redditor u/WakaWakaBabe:

His mother's strong bond with him looks like incest.

Sometimes I wonder if, through abuse and lack of emotional closeness with her husband, she tried to fill that gap with inappropriate, fake romantic intimacy with her son. He is too unaware to see she is not the normally caring but controlling parent with occasional line issues he thinks she is. This feels odd, and I feel very uncomfortable being in this situation. If she could date him, I feel she would.

I avoid visiting his family because of this. I cannot figure out if I can stick to their once-a-week family meetup schedule. It is not anxiety or any other excuse I use when I feel bad. I feel a warning in my mind, a sense that something wrong is happening. I had sudden moments where I felt a sinking dread and a need to shield him from her, just like I feel for my nieces when unsafe men are around them.

I have to ignore it and try to build a relationship with her. But it screams in my mind like aKill Bill.siren. I feel so uncomfortable trying to handle this.

From Redditor u/.August-Dawn.:

When I started dating an ex, I stayed at her place while she was gone for a few days. I tidied up and found a book under her mattress. I did not know it was her diary, but I kept reading it. She wrote sweet things about how much she loved me.

I considered breaking up because I am a 'run away when it gets too serious' person. Her words made me stay for the first time. It did not last, but I still see it as one of my best relationships.

From Redditor u/.Sparkly_Fish.:

My wife became someone I never would have married after having kids. It makes me wish we never had them.

From Redditor u/.Cautious_Clothes_285.:

I think she is bad at parenting. Her temper is short. She lacks patience for small kid mistakes. My child got sick and had the runs for the second time. He pooped his pants this morning. I helped him clean up the mess, shower, and wash his clothes. I told him this happens when we are sick; do not worry about it.

She finds out and reacts with anger and annoyance, acting like he did it on purpose to make her life harder. She stayed annoyed even after the mess was cleaned up. I am glad he came to me first because her reaction would likely have made him cry, and he was already embarrassed.

She handles other parts of parenting well. It is not all bad. I am not claiming I am perfect at it, but I find it strange that she is surprised the kids always choose to spend time with me over her when given a choice.

From Redditor u/.mamblepamble.:

His mother is difficult, but she is harmless to adults who have self-confidence and assurance.

I do not trust her with my child alone. I do not want her having one-on-one time when he can understand her constant negativity and complaints about things that do not matter because she fears silence.

From Redditor u/Familiar-Holiday-907:

I love him, but I am tired. I am tired of his short fuse. When he gets angry, I blame myself, but after he calms, it is only apologies and self-loathing. I am tired of my worth depending on how I look to his family (it isn't always and has improved, but sometimes it still feels that way) and what I contribute to society (I do, but it never feels enough. Losing my last job unfairly hurt me. I am tired of not getting support when I need it, facing potential cancer and feeling alone. I am tired of having to pick up things or handle shared chores to keep him happy. I face burnout and breakdowns repeatedly just to see something get done, only for it to loop again in one to three months. I cannot communicate in a way that works for him; even in calm talks, saying the wrong thing sets him off.

I do not know what works for you. You will not help me figure it out. Every approach I try has failed.

I understand you have depression. I give you space, listen to your struggles, and try to support you in a way that works for you. You still do what you can; I see that.

I offer thanks and praise when you achieve something. Even if it is just washing dishes, I appreciate you. I know you have struggles and limits. So, I manage all the cooking, cleaning, doctor's appointments, scheduling, planning, talking, bills, even if I do it alone. I try hard.

But I am tired.

This felt good. I am going to cry in a corner now.

From Redditor u/BlinkerBeforeBrake:

I hate the ring he bought me for our engagement.

I hinted and showed him simple bands I liked when we were out. What he made was gorgeous but bulky and flashy. I felt very uncomfortable with how much he spent; I guess $10-$15k. It snagged on my clothes (it tore my favorite fuzzy sweater!) and got in the way. I worried about it breaking if I went out. After I got a $90 travel band, I stopped wearing the other one except for special events.

We have been married nearly five years. I think he knows this, but I would never say it.

From Redditor u/w_wh_mWGAT:

I deeply fear his naivety will slowly lead him down an alt-right path as we age.

As a woman of color, I see red flags I should not ignore.

From Redditor u/Head_Trick_9932:

I cannot stand his family because they never try to know our children.

These people are fake AHs. They only text my husband when they need something.

Redditor u/Cyph3rXX7:

I dislike my husband’s friend's weddings or any event where he knows many people. I do not dislike his friends (I enjoy dinner, speeches, etc.). I think the hours between the dance party starting and last call are the longest hours of my life. I know he wants to stay the whole time.

My husband is an extrovert and fun at parties. Those hours pass quickly for him. I cannot handle much alcohol. I go straight to sleepy, itchy, and need to vomit. I do not have a 'fun' tipsy stage.

I want him to have fun. I spend the week planning to get through one late evening, then I need a full day to recharge my social battery. My husband suspects nothing because he is hungover.

Redditor u/yamos-:

I sometimes need alone time. I pretend to be busy or tired so I can just relax by myself.

I do not dislike hanging out. I just need a break sometimes.

Redditor u/Mother_Box939:

I sometimes question if I am in the right relationship or if my partner truly wants me. The answer always comes back as yes.

This is my first long-term relationship. My entire life, I held unrealistic expectations for what love looks like, feels like, and what it means.