'I’m not funding that fever dream': 27-year-old man refuses to attend or pay for his father’s wedding after discovering his dad is engaged to his serious ex-girlfriend Maya’s mother, sparking major family drama as the exes become step-siblings

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Nov 1, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

The past is the old, and the future is the new…most of the time, we try to keep those two portions of our lives separate, but sometimes fate has other plans. Plans you never quite expected, and aren't always too fond of either, but hey, that's just the price we pay for this game we call Life. Some people definitely have fate on their side, whilst others…may feel like they're being tested more frequently…But look on the bright side, it must be extremely character-building! 

This young man, edging on his late 20s, had a great college experience: loyal friends, classes he didn't actually hate, and most of all, a wonderful, serious girlfriend he dated for about three years. Their relationship ended amicably, and years later, fate brought them back into each other's lives once more… but not in the way hopeless romantics would've liked, more so a way that imitates a pretty average Netflix rom-com. Their parents stayed in touch and unexpectedly fell in love themselves. His dad. Her mom. And now? They're going to be step-siblings! One big happy family…there's just no way.

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  • As you might have guessed, this son was completely taken aback by the news of his father’s engagement and isn’t quite sure he feels comfortable attending the wedding, especially after his dad asked him to help pay towards it too! What we’d give to be that optimistic… or that delusional. His support system seems divided: some believe the past should remain there and that his father’s happiness should come first, while others can clearly see how painfully awkward future Christmas dinners will be. On the bright side, at least they won’t have to worry about accidentally walking in on each other, they’ve already seen it all. Ew!

  • 01
    Older couple and worried young man
    via dean-drobot

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

  • 02

    AITA for telling my dad I’m not paying for his wedding because he’s marrying my ex’s mom?

    I (27M) am in what feels like the world's most cursed Hallmark plot. My dad (52M) recently got engaged, to my ex-girlfriend's mom (49F).
    via East_Ability9186
  • 03
    I dated her daughter "Maya" (26F) for about 3 years in college. It ended amicably, but we were serious, we met each other's families, went on vacations, the works.
    via East_Ability9186
  • 04
    Apparently, after our breakup, our parents stayed in touch because they "bonded over how we broke up like adults." That "bond" somehow turned into a full- blown relationship.
    via East_Ability9186
  • 05
    Now, they're getting married and want me to be the best man. I said absolutely not.
    via East_Ability9186
  • 06
    Then my dad asked if I'd at least "help with the wedding expenses since I'm doing well financially." I told him flat out: "You're marrying my ex's mom.
    via East_Ability9186
  • 07
    I'm not funding that fever dream." He called me selfish and said "love doesn't always make sense." Maya texted me laughing, saying, "Guess that makes us step-siblings now." I wish I were dead.
    via East_Ability9186
  • 08
    Young couple embracing.
    via gettyimagespro

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

  • 09
    My brother thinks I'm overreacting and that I should just "show up, get drunk, and tell this story for the rest of my life." AITA for refusing to pay for (or attend) the wedding?
    via East_Ability9186
  • 10
    Rich-Attention 1189 NTA. You don't owe a dime or attendance, to your dad's midlife rom-com reboot. "Love doesn't always make sense" is not an excuse for turning Thanksgiving into a family therapy session.
    via Rich-Attention1189
  • 11
    Zestyclose-Height-36 YTA for refusing to attend, but you don't need to pay for their wedding, but you could attend as a guest. unless dad broke up with your mom over Maya's mom, then they have done nothing wrong. You and she ended. let go of the past and move forward. Bring a date to dad's wedding and let them be happy.
    via Zestyclose-Height-36
  • 12
    Spazrelaz NTA. Hell no you're NTA. That's such weird position for your own parent to put you in. He knew about your relationship whether it ended amicably or not there were once feelings involved. He should have never asked you to be involved, especially not financially. He's a grown ass man. He and his partner can pay for their own wedding or they don't need to get married. They're super weird and that relationship sounds like a dumpster fire.
    via Spazrelaz
  • 13
    Hour-Membership-6831 I think your brother is right. Also who asks their children if they can pay for them?!
    via Hour-Membership-6831
  • 14
    Stacy3536 I think your brother has the right idea
    via Stacy3536
  • 15
    BlondeeOso Why would you be paying for your dad's wedding (or be expected to)? No way. I would probably ask, "Is Maya paying?" and or "Is (brother's name) paying?"
    via BlondeeOso
  • 16
    TophFeiBong420 NTA. Even aside from her being your exes mom, why on earth would you pay for his wedding?
    via TophFeiBong420
  • 17
    Cute middle-aged couple outdoors.
    via monkeybusinessimages

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

  • 18
    OkCelery6356 NTA Your dad is 52 if he can't afford his own wedding just go to the court house. Jeeze.
    via OkCelery6356
  • 19
    3parkle3 kids don't pay for parents weddings. they are both grown and capable adults if they want to get married they need to pay for it themselves. that's incredibly ignorant of them to even ask you... outside of this ifbyour relationship is good then go in support of your dad being happy but do not I repeat NOT financially give anything but your time!!
    via 3parkle3
  • 20
    bubblicious12 All these people saying YTA for not going to see your dad marry your exs mom are insane. Let's see how they'd be all shiny and happy if this was your ex's mom and forever you'd be tied to them. Then for him to ask for money?
    via x
  • 21
    Acidic Atheist Potato NTA for not helping with expenses, no matter how much you make, it's his wedding. It irks me even when parents pay for their children's weddings, but doing it the other way around feels completely out of bounds. Just have the wedding you can afford!
    via x
  • 22
    On the other hand though, not attending and making their relationship out to be something shameful or disgusting makes you very much the AH. You're all adults, and you're no longer with your ex, no one shares DNA, he's not marrying your ex. Let him be happy with whoever he's happy. You are being selfish by trying to control who he loves and making it about you. It's not about you. Move on.
    via 3parkle3
  • 23
    HoneyTemporary865 NTA. You have no reason to pay for their wedding. if they can't afford it perhaps they don't need to be getting married or either go to the courthouse. I can't blame you for not wanting to go to the wedding. Just think you could make a hello of a roast. I mean toast. Lol
    via HoneyTemporary865
  • 24
    Chance-Animal 1856 I definitely don't think you need to be paying anything. But in the long run I think it is definitely not going to be a big deal that you're dad married ex's mom. It just seems like a big deal now because it's fresh
    via Chance-Animal1856

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boyfriend family drama break up bonding drama step siblings ex girlfriend Awkward askreddit parenting wedding exes step-mother family wedding-expenses Reddit Parenting Fail Father
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