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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have ruined brother’s engagement

999 replies

Illuminati12 · 03/06/2018 17:41

I have been sick and can’t stop crying. I have done something terrible. Totally without thought.
I have been seeing someone for 18 months, lovely man with two children who I met just before Christmas. My family have met him and we took the kids to my mother’s and sisters.
My brother and his partner invited the family round a fortnight ago for a meal yesterday. The family meaning widowed mother, siblings, spouses, kids and me. The invitation was sent from girlfriend’s phone and said “Can you come...” I just thought it was a meal in their newish house. I replied that me, partner and his two teenagers could come. The response came from girlfriend “Sorry can’t accommodate Partner and teenagers but look forward to meeting them another time.”
I was a bit put out and replied that the kids were great, well behaved and would fit in. Again response was sorry they could not be accommodated. I now regret texting my brother he said that they hadn’t entertained before so didn’t really want extras. He did hint that maybe my partner could come alone as he and girlfriend hadn’t met his kids. I was really upset as my entire family were going to be at this meal but I couldn’t take my partner and his lovely girls.
My mother then spoke to my brother and he rang me up annoyed that I had mentioned it and again stressed that there was no room.
Yesterday arrived meal at 12:30. I was upset. We took girls out for pizza and at 4:30 I thought my family would have finished meal and now be in garden and we could drop in and introduce girls and everyone would be relaxed.
I rang bell, no answer so went round side into garden. A micro second before they had announced engagement amidst champagne and now all these faces were looking at us. Girlfriend began to cry and ran upstairs.
Completely embarrassed. My partner tried to usher his girls out. My brother was seething.it was a special moment ruined by strangers.
Girlfriend’s mother then came down with her phone and read back texts between us asking me how I could have thought they were invited.
My sister drove me home. Brother rang to say I was out of order. Girlfriend texted that I am not to go near her again and has made it clear that she will not marry my brother if I am invited. She called me pushy and demanding. They had invited me but I tried to bring strange kids to the party and deliberately tried to have my own way.
I had no idea this was special occasion or I would have gone on my own. I am devastated. Family feel brother will calm down and it will blow over. I am devastated I genuinely didn’t do anything maliciously.

OP posts:
Devilishpyjamas · 04/06/2018 15:18

She didn’t take over. She turned up at a bad moment hours after the ‘lunch’ she had been not invited to would he over.

Yep, people can do what they like Dione, but I feel able to judge those who run off weeping because their special announcement (ffs) was ‘ruined’ by ‘strangers’ (please save me).

How DO people like this actual deal with an adult life? When actual bad things happen.

Everyone takes the piss out of me because I had a tantrum about some false nails the day before my wedding (over 20 years ago). My FIL was mimicking me last week (I don’t usually wear nails or make up, so it is particularly ludicrous that I was tantrumimg about it). But I didn’t involve anyone else in my wailing - my poor mother just had to arrange an emergency nail rescue operation. Anyway point being if we behave like toddlers then we can expect to have the actual grown ups roll their eyes and take the piss.

ResurrectedGoldfish · 04/06/2018 15:21

I think people need to stop piling on the OP - worse things happen at sea, she hasn't murdered anyone, or voted UKIP.

OP I'm going to take you at your word that this was a brain fart moment, and there's no backstory/pattern etc. If you've apologised sincerely and offered to try and amend the situation, at that point there's really nothing else you can do. It's been done, you can't go back in time and undo it. Guilt really is a useless emotion unless it impels you to rectify your mistake or reflect on your behaviour, and it sounds like you've done both of those things. Stop beating yourself up about it, you can't change anyone else's response, only your own, and you have done.
It sounds like it would have been quite a stressful moment for your sister in law, there's maybe other things going on in her life that are building up and this was something that just set things off. Give them some time and maybe everything will start to fall into perspective.
You've apologised, and paid your penance. Give yourself a break xxxxx

thegreylady · 04/06/2018 15:29

Why not invite tour future sil out for a drink, or coffee or a meal? Give her a little gift or send flowers and apologise profusely again. If she ignores this then send flowers and a letter anyway.

mirialis · 04/06/2018 15:30

I just can't see how - without any backstory or form or perception of OP's role in family or something - the fiance could have burst into tears on sight and run away no matter how upset/fucked off she was... there must be something else going on here (and note I do not assume that the backstory must be the OP's fault). And without thinking about that then I don't see how things can really be resolved properly.

However, what I do agree with is this: if you have made a sincere and groveling apology to someone for fucking up and they won't accept it, or do so begrudgingly and continue to make you feel like shit, there is very little you can do about it and very little to be gained by keeping going at it.

Hope it works out for you OP .

JessieMcJessie · 04/06/2018 15:33

Jesus McTufty you’re very literal aren’t you? Of course they were looked at but in what world would this steal the attention from the couple?

Are you seriously saying that when some people you love are announcing their engagement, if you were to glance around and see that OP and her entourage had arrived, you would give them more than a millisecond’s attention before turning back to the announcing couple? “Oh, look, here’s OP and that must be her bloke and his kids. Anyway, SO happy for Lisa and Jim, cheers!”

Not “OMG who is THIS who has arrived, are they going to kill us all, what the FUCK are they doing here, STRANGER DANGER!”.

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 04/06/2018 15:37

So let me see if i’ve got this right you where told NO 4 times by 3 different people but chose to ignore the word no and thought fuck it am going to turn up any way with the 3 people that I know aren’t invited am not surprised they went mad at you that was bang out of order and seriously rude don’t be surprised if you don’t get invited to the wedding after that little stunt.

ferrier · 04/06/2018 15:47

If I was the brother I'd be dropping the crazy gf/fiancee as quickly as possible.

McTufty · 04/06/2018 15:53

If by “literal” you mean accurate -instead of rewriting what happened to fit my point of view as you are doing - then yes I am literal.

Battytwatty · 04/06/2018 15:55

I'm with Ferrier
The bride to be sounds unhinged.
I think it was rude of them in the first instance not to invite your partner. You have been together 18 months not 18 days. You dropped a bit of a clanger. You've apologised. Now everyone needs to move the fuck on. Jeez Louise!

Bluntness100 · 04/06/2018 15:56

I just can't see how - without any backstory or form or perception of OP's role in family or something - the fiance could have burst into tears on sight and run away no matter how upset/fucked off she was... there must be something else going on here

This,

Clearly there is more to it than the op explained. From her bothering everyone to get the kids invited , to then refusing to go, there is more happened before the fiancée fucked off out of it crying and rhe boyfriend and kids legged it. And there was clearly a big argument between the op getting there and her sister driving her home.

There has to be serious background before someone bursts into tears and runs away at the mere sight of you.

AnneProtheroe · 04/06/2018 16:04

From the nonsense people are spouting you’d think the OP and her partner had crashed through the fence on a quad bike followed by the two teens cartwheeling naked across the lawn

Now that would be attention seeking. Grin

bettytaghetti · 04/06/2018 16:05

But surely most normal families would react with "hey, we've just had the most wonderful news; Bob & Linda* have just told us that they're getting married. Isn't that great! Come have a glass of champagne with us to celebrate."
(*obvs have no idea who Bob & Linda are, irl)
Surely the big moment for the happy couple was when he actually proposed, not when they made an announcement to everyone? I managed to ruin my own all by myself,
I'm imagining the OP's partner was wearing a Borat mankini and that's why their appearance caused a kerfuffle!

JessieMcJessie · 04/06/2018 16:15

Betty Grin.

Don’t forget though that everyone was “looking at” them. And by “looking at” some posters have inferred -McTufty-“staring at them open-mouthed and totally ignoring the happy couple. So you must be right.

McTufty has it not ocurred to you that OP’s account is inherently skewed by the way that the bride-to-be’s hysterical reaction has affected her own perception of how events unfolded? You’re not much of a critical thinker are you?

mirialis · 04/06/2018 16:15

What is a "normal family"?!

I can't have been the only one reading the OPs post and thinking, oh ok, yep this is how so-and-so is - gets told politely twice by soon-to-be SIL that boyfriend's kids they've never met can't come on this particular occasion (maybe because the boyfriend is a total arse, who knows?), OP won't accept that though so tries with DB instead. When that doesn't work, drags the soon-to-be MIL in to have a word and when that doesn't work... sits fuming over the lunch with boyfriend and his kids and then decides to turn up anyway. Rings the bell, no answer, but no way is that going to deter the OP from her mission - she'll just find another way of getting those uninvited kids in... come, on, even the OP has said that it sounds unhinged.

nolongerblue · 04/06/2018 16:17

"Surely the big moment for the happy couple was when he actually proposed, not when they made an announcement to everyone?"

I wonder if this is still true actually. Now that everyone lives together for years before getting married, proposals probably aren't really a thing. Couples probably just drift into agreeing they will marry (like me and DH) which means a formal proposal becomes a bit of a contrived event if you choose to have one.

That's probably why people are having parties to announce their engagement. That has become the 'thing' to mark the occasion rather than the proposal. I think it is nice. Getting everyone together to tell at the same time and having a celebratory drink together. Also means you get news out of the way in one go. Practical and pleasant.
I approve.

Lizzie48 · 04/06/2018 16:18

I think some people take themselves far too seriously. This sort of incident should be seen as funny, something the family will joke about in years to come. It's not as if the OP interrupted the wedding vows, is it??

nolongerblue · 04/06/2018 16:21

'has it not ocurred to you that OP’s account is inherently skewed by the way that the bride-to-be’s hysterical reaction has affected her own perception of how events unfolded? You’re not much of a critical thinker are you?'

Gosh Jessie, you seem to have redefined critical thinking as 'stuff I have made up and then assert as true'

Ruffian · 04/06/2018 16:30

Not going to lie OP, I live for this sort of drama - it's like a real life soap opera. So thanks!

Love that Grin

AlmostAJillSandwich · 04/06/2018 16:30

Your poor future SIL!
Getting engaged is clearly a big deal to her and your brother, they wanted to announce their news with all their close family, and that clearly doesn't include your boyfriend and his part time kids.
You said yourself you only met his daughters 6 months ago, and he's not their residential parent. They're not even a stable part of YOUR life, let alone your familys life.
It was perfectly reasonable therefore, that even if it HAD just been a casual family lunch, that they wouldn't be invited.
You were too busy being offended on his kids behalf, even though they almost certainly didnt care, to consider anyone but yourself.
You were told sorry, we cannot accomodate them. You pushed, and were told sorry but no, a second time.
You tried to go around her and undermine her by messaging your brother to badger him for an invite for your boyfriend and his kids, and were told again no, the kids cannot come, and he did relent to possibly your boyfriend attending but presumably you told him not possible without the kids too.
You then, doing the "it's all about me" dance, went to your mum complaining and crying, she tried to help by contacting your brother, and he called you, clearly annoyed, and told you again, NO.

To suggest he should have informed you this was a special occasion as way of placating you, would have completely defeated the point of a surprise announcement lunch and ruined it.

You made your choice not to go, they were probably disappointed by that but nothing they could do without spoiling it. You took it upon yourself to decide WHY they weren't invited, and that your desire for your extended family to meet your boyfriends kids, trumped their reason for not inviting them. You should have hosted your OWN event, not hijacked theirs as a meet and greet just because it was convenient.

You had no idea what time they would actually be eating, just the start time of the invite. You may have assumed correctly the meal was over, but that doesn't mean its suddenly ok for you to show up, as it was the EVENT they werent invited to, not just the eating part.

You rang the bell, nobody answered, so you seriously just took it upon yourself to trespass on to the property and go round to the back garden?!

They had literally JUST announced to the garden full of close family that they were engaged, and at this moment, in a case of worst timing ever, you, your boyfriend they've barely met, and 2 kids they have never met, come traipsing round the corner, announcing your presence/arrival.

All that planning, their anticipation, their excitement, and the reaction to what to them is major news, some of the biggest of their lives even, was completely spoiled by everyones attention being suddenly directed to you bowling in with YOUR agenda.

I totally understand her running off crying, this was her big moment. If she doesnt have children especially, then this is the biggest thing that has ever happened to her. All she wanted was the people she loved most there to celebrate that, and she didn't get any of the happy reaction and congratulations like she had no doubt been imagining/dreaming of because you came crashing right in the middle of it.

They had been undeniably clear with you NOT to bring your boyfriend and his kids, and you did exactly that regardless. You've taken the attention off her at one of the key memorable moments of her life, shes devastated. I don't blame her for banning you from her wedding, how selfish and self centred you've acted about this, ignoring everyone elses feelings and wishes and doing what YOU wanted at the expense of everyone else, shes probably convinced you'll steal the limelight at the wedding too.

Give her time and space, don't push yourself on her, don't bleat on with apologies. Write a letter, then keep your distance and let her come to you in her own time if she chooses to. Don't go in for any big public shows of remorse, you'll just be making it even more about you.

Your boyfriend deserves some blame too, if he knew him and his daughters hadn't been invited. He never should have gone along with just turning up, especially when the door wasn't answered where you could have been politely turned away.
His older daughter sounds nice, but the younger one doing impressions of your future SIL is incredibly mean, thats bullying and is disgusting, making fun of someone in distress.

flippyfloppyflower · 04/06/2018 16:30

I actually do not think any of us can do any serious critical thinking about this situation as

(a) we were not there
(b) we only have the OP's version of how matters unfolded which leads us to
(c) there are big (and I do mean massive) gaps in the OP's telling of events

nolongerblue · 04/06/2018 16:37

Yes Flippy, though I admit I laughed at loud at Jessie's accusation of someone not exercising sufficient critical thinking about this absurd post about a ridiculous event in life. Does it really deserve critical thinking? I mean, we aren't exactly solving the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict here.
It's all pretty ridiculous. We are all making it up as we go along. Let's not get too carried away with ourselves by accusing others of not showing sufficient depth of thinking.

findingmyfeet12 · 04/06/2018 16:40

I'm off sick from work and I must admit I'm enjoying this thread more than I should Blush

I wish I'd been there to see it all unfold.

flippyfloppyflower · 04/06/2018 16:40

nolongerblue I totally and utterly agree Smile

Roussette · 04/06/2018 16:43

Your boyfriend deserves some blame too, if he knew him and his daughters hadn't been invited. He never should have gone along with just turning up, especially when the door wasn't answered where you could have been politely turned away
Exactly. I ask this a million years ago of the OP well, it seems like a million years!. Did you tell him that you'd try to wangle an invite for him and his DDs and that you'd be turned down repeatedly..

I agree flippy. If we tell a story of a chain of events, whilst we know we've done wrong so we are honest about the how many times we asked to bring the kids scenario, also we might be exaggerating just a teensy weensy bit about SIL's reaction. I doubt she burst into inconsolable tears and ran upstairs. She probably was so cross she couldn't trust herself and went indoors whilst mutterying 'how many times do you need telling that I did not invite your current boyfriends daughters to my do?'

Ruffian · 04/06/2018 16:52

I doubt she burst into inconsolable tears and ran upstairs.

What do you base your doubt on though? The behaviour would be consistent with someone who also texted that I am not to go near her again and has made it clear that she will not marry my brother if I am invited