Man goes on a solo trip to hike the Appalachian Trail, but is forced to cut the trip short, his wife refuses to do the same with her vacation: ‘He expects me to come home early too’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Oct 7, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Even if you have the perfect relationship with your significant other, everyone needs alone time. You can't spend every hour of every day with the same person, no matter how much you love them.

So you don't need to feel bad for being happy if your partner tells you they are going away on a vacation without you; it is okay to be excited about the prospect of spending some time apart. Especially if you already live with your partner's parents, like the wife in the story below. Because in that case, no one would be surprised if you did anything to get time away from them.

When her husband left on a 4-day trip to hike the Appalachian Trail with his son, brother, and nephews, this wife took advantage of that time to plan a vacation of her own. One that does not include her overbearing in-laws, whom she has been living with.

However, when the husband's vacation was cut short, he returned home earlier than expected and demanded that his wife do the same. When she refused and insisted on remaining where she was until the 4 days were up, a family dispute ensued.

Keep scrolling to read the full story.

Advertisement
  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10561209600
    via filadendron

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02

    WIBTA if I didn't cut my vacation short even though my husband cut his vacation short?

    My husband went on a 4-day trip to hike the Appalachian Trail with his son, brother, and nephews
    via Tifferized
  • 03
    I couldn't go because I have to work so I decided to stay with a friend/coworker of mine and have a Harry Potter movie marathon.
    via Tifferized
  • 04
    For some context, my husband and I (both 45) got married a year ago and have since been living with his parents.
    via Tifferized
  • 05
    Where we live, it's a high of about 90° this time of year. My job requires | be outside in the heat all day and I work long hours.
    via Tifferized
  • 06
    His folks keep the thermostat at 77°. I thought I'd get used to the house temp but I'm tired of always being hot.
    via Tifferized
  • 07
    Last week his mom agreed to lower the temp to 76° but I crave the cool after being in the relentless heat all day.
    via Tifferized
  • 08
    The last couple days staying with my friend has been heaven. She has her theromtat set at a cool 70°.
    via Tifferized
  • 09
    My husband called yesterday and told me he couldn't finish the hike and was stopping at the halfway point and coming home a day early.
    via Tifferized
  • 10
    He expects me to come home early too but I just want one more cool night's sleep and to finish the Harry Potter series with my friend, but my husband made it clear he would be very angry with me if i don't go home tomorrow.
    via Tifferized
  • 11
    So, WIBTA for staying at my friend's house as long I initially planned even if it off the my husband?
    via Tifferized
  • 12
    800
    via Truecreatives

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 13
    99TigerStripes Info: why in the world at age 45 are you living with his parents? Nothing that you have described in this post sounds good in any way as your husband sounds like a controlling AH. NTA, but I'd re- evaluate my life choices.
    via 99TigerStripes
  • 14
    OP Tifferized His parents need the help and we pay rent.
    via Tifferized
  • 15
    Adventurous-Bee4823 I'm so baffled. I realize I will get downvoted to infinity, but you're both forty five years old and live with his parents? How does this even happen? I mean is he taking care of his parents because of old age? Health issues? I'm just really confused.
    via Adventurous-Bee4823
  • 16
    OP Tifferized We take care of his parents and we pay rent.
    via Tifferized
  • 17
    Mindless_Giraffe4559 NTA. Tell him to do something else for another day, but you are staying put. Where do spouses get off thinking that because they are married they can demand things? He can certainly ask nicely but you can certainly respond with a nice NO. Is it not a possibility to get at least a window A/C for your bedroom so you have some respite from the heat?
    via Mindless_Giraffe4559
  • 18
    OP Tifferized That's a good idea.
    via Tifferized
  • 19
    only_child_by_choice NAH in regards to them wanting to have the house at 77°. And you wanting to have it be like 70°. My mom is always cold, nothing you can do will convince her that it is warm. But, your husband sounds very controlling. You should be able to spend time with friends, have a vacation away from your husband, be able to be comfortable. My girlfriend likes the heat, so she has tons of blankets on her side of the bed. I like it really cool, so I have a fan on my side table that blows
    via only_child_by_choice
  • 20
    OP Tifferized I sleep with no blankets and always have a fan on me. I'm a hot sleeper. We pay rent and take care of his folks. We are saving to buy some property for a homestead retirement.
    via Tifferized
  • 21
    Fast-Chipmunk-1558 You're in perimenopause, get AC because it will get worse. Better yet move out !
    via Fast-Chipmunk-1558
  • 22
    OP Tifferized I didn't want to mention that part but I am getting heat flashes
    via Tifferized
  • 23
    Brooklyn_Bunny NTA. But is there a reason the two of you who are almost 50 are living with his parents if the thermostat is an issue? Are you not able to afford your own place together?
    via Brooklyn_Bunny
  • 24
    OP Tifferized Jesus Bunny. You could have just said 45! No need to go straight to almost 50! We are helping his parents. They're almost 80 (70 and 72). Before my folks d dl lived with them for a couple years to help
    via Tifferized
  • 25
    tahcamen I inferred the son was grown.
    via tahcamen
  • 26
    OP Tifferized His son is 13, his oldest is 27. Could have gone either way really. I cook for the younger kids and take them places but they are pretty self sufficient otherwise.
    via Tifferized
  • 27
    ahberryman78 Why do you not have a window or freestanding air conditioner unit? Why live like that if you don't have to? You're a grown adult.
    via ahberryman78
  • 28
    OP Tifferized I thought if enough time passed if get used to the heat. I was wrong. I'll suggest a window unit so I can at least sleep well but I use the whole house and I'm hot while I'm cooking, hot while I'm gaming, hot while I'm doing laundry or even watching TV.
    via Tifferized
  • 29
    EmploymentLanky9544 >but my husband made it clear he would be very angry with me if i don't go home tomorrow. So.. he threatened you. Ok. This is where you extend your time with your friend, and watch another series. Like, The Good Wife. Even binging that will take 2 months. NTA, and please reconsider your relationship. You don't threaten the people you love.
    via EmploymentLanky9544

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

relationship advice aita marriage drama wife relationship-drama reddit story relationships husband advice couples love Reddit married holidays dating vacation
Scroll Down For The Next Article