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Morgan
One of this week's partners is Peloton. I'm sure you're familiar with Peloton and their amazing bike and workout classes, but did you know Peloton has a variety of training programs. Pilates, 5K, 10K, half and full marathon programs, strength training, boot camps. There are so many ways to challenge yourself no matter what mood you're in. Even for me, sometimes I'm not in a workout mood. But that is quickly changed by going on finding a good class on Peloton and and being motivated by those instructors. Yeah, you've seen a video or two. Peloton's instructors are in a league of their own. They've got a whole lineup of dancers, college athletes, world record breakers that bring the motivation and fun. They are always fun. And you don't have to do it alone either. Peloton promotes a healthy rivalry and you see it all come to life on that leadership board. My brother and his wife have a Peloton bike and being able to challenge each other and others has been so much fun for them. So find your push, find your power with Peloton at 1peloton.com. Hey, friends, couple things. 1. Subscribe. 2. Are you in Atlanta? Because we'll be there tomorrow. Otherwise, we still have a couple more tour stops and we would love to have you guys come out and join us. And third and final thing, we've had an amazing spooky season this year. And the very last of our spooky stories, a full bonus episode, just went up on our Patreon. So many really, really, really, really good stories. I was about to poop my pants. I was so scared. And a lot of them have pictures. I'm obsessed. I have loved spooky season this year. From our two hot takes episode on this channel to the Father knows episode that was full of listener write ins that blew my mind. It has been really, really fun. And I've now agreed, thanks to the Patreon episode, to do a ghost bus next year. So big things in store for two outtakes and paranormal adventures. But other than that, thank you so much for being here and enjoy the episode. How's it going over there?
Lauren
Oh, good. It's. I worked out this morning and there's.
Morgan
This like, productive little day you're having.
Lauren
Yeah, it's like I'm realizing I gotta do that in the morning more often because I have a really hard time waking up. Like, really hard time waking up. And every time I wake up and have a workout class planned, I'm like, I don't Want to go? I don't want to cancel it, but berries is so stupid expensive. That and I had to do it on class pass.
Morgan
I'm scared of berries. I've heard things. I've never gone.
Lauren
No, they're not scary. They're not like that anymore. I've heard stories too, but I've never had like a bad experience. Yeah, but no, it's like I finally wake up. Once I get there, it's truly wonderful. So I should do it more often.
Morgan
Drink your water, work out, drive your car safe. Practice some gratitude today. Yeah. All the things.
Lauren
I haven't been working out much at all. And I just realized that like it's definitely good for my brain to get some.
Morgan
Oh my gosh.
Lauren
To get some movement in.
Morgan
So that's how I feel about riding horses again.
Lauren
Yes.
Morgan
I just like get out there. I'm not on my phone for an hour. I'm up in the hills looking at the sights, hearing the birds chirp.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And it's just like I get done and I'm like, no matter what I was dealing with before, I instantly feel better. Therapeutic Zen.
Lauren
No, truly, I think that's how I feel about workout classes because it's like not only, only just the, you know, getting some movement in, but also just like being forced to be off my phone.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
For an amount of time is important. I really think it's important.
Morgan
It's huge. Yeah. So good. I just checking in with all of you. Like I hope everyone else is practicing some good self care techniques, making sure your mental health is where it should be. I mean we're, we're transitioning in a fall. Like it gets dark here at 6pm and I'm just like, oh my God, this is terrible. So I know seasonal depression. Girlies are going to be coming out soon. So just make sure you're checking in with yourself and your people and everyone is good.
Lauren
Have you been getting all the fog over here?
Morgan
Yeah, I love it.
Lauren
Oh, I know. I've been loving it too, but keeps it cooler.
Morgan
It's so hot where I am in the valley.
Lauren
I've been loving it because it's October and I love October.
Morgan
Spooky.
Lauren
It's so funny too because it's like every single, every single summer. I'm like, no, I don't want it to end ever. And then it's like September 1st and I'm like, fall. Did I hear pumpkin spice? I buy all the candles. I'm just like, I love it.
Morgan
I love fall smells. I love smells. I just got These flowers from the Million Roses.
Lauren
And I'm obsessed, Brian being one of those. It's. They're white, but they're a smaller one. Yeah, but he bought me that for, like, our. I think one of our, like, our first Valentine's Day.
Morgan
I'm. I love them. It was. It was a gift. They sent it. And I. I've never, like, thought, okay, so I did steal one of those forever flowers from a different brand. The guy's house. We went to, like, a party at his house and I was like, I'm not going to buy it for myself, but I'm going to steal it. I was still, you know, I don't know. I was a little wild.
Lauren
What? So where was this?
Morgan
I had a party in la. We went with, like, Alejandra and a couple other people. And so I stole this little flower. And so I was like, damn, you're.
Lauren
Going to admit to that?
Morgan
Yeah. And so I.
Lauren
He's going to come looking for you.
Morgan
I didn't say what brand. And so I really, really liked it. But, like, I just. I never thought I would spoil myself in such a way, a big way. So like, they reached out and I'm like, the way it came packaged, I was, like, worried about it getting damaged. And it was like the nicest packaging. It looks really good sitting here. It's going to be like my go to gift for people going forward because it's just. It's so beautiful. It smells amazing.
Lauren
I love this one because it's a little ball. Mine is like. Mine is just a littler one, but I have it in my. I have it displayed in our. What's it called? Coffee table. Ah, yeah.
Morgan
Yeah. It's really cute. I really like it.
Lauren
Tell them I want a new one. I want a pom pom one like this one.
Morgan
Okay. Okay. Tell them to palm Million roses if you're out there. Lauren's here, but let's get into today's episode. So we were talking earlier and we were talking about, like, some of these people that, like, have been on social media lately and just happenings of the world. And I realized I was getting so heated, I just, like, want to pop off. And I realized I had an abundance of stories where the people are popping off in really weird or big ways. So that's the theme today. We got a lot of people popping off. Are you ready? I love pop off.
Lauren
Yes.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
Yes.
Morgan
Lauren just looks so scared.
Lauren
Like, oh, my God. No. Well, when you said about our previous conversation, when we were talking about some of the things people Post online, dude. Then it just brought me back to that combo, and I kind of looked through you a little bit.
Morgan
I was like, yeah, that combo. I mean, there's some crazy shit online. Crazy shit online. It's. It's amazing what people will willingly post of themselves unhinged, but let's dive in.
Lauren
Let's do.
Morgan
Okay. I'm starting with a palate cleanser because I don't know what we're going to get into. Could be heavy, could be good, but I want to start off for sure on a good, happy foot. By the time this episode airs, we will also be going to, like, Atlanta the very next day. And our live shows have been so, so amazing. I love and appreciate every little present you guys bring us, and I just appreciate you guys coming and being in the room with us and yelling and sharing your takes, and it's so fun. It gives me such a sense of community that we don't usually get. Yeah, I love it. And so I came across this story and I read it at one of our very last live shows from the last tour, but I just want to read it again for those that haven't heard it.
Lauren
Maybe I know what you're talking about.
Morgan
And I just want to feel good.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Because it's so cute. Okay, so this first one is coming from our very own two Hot Takes subreddit. It is a year old now. It is titled How Going to a THT Live Show Was the Best Decision of my life. I, 27, female, was first introduced to THT through a friend about two years ago. Ever since then, I have been hooked. I had the pleasure of attending one of the THT live shows a year ago. Little did I know this seemingly ordinary evening would turn out to be one of the most extraordinary moments of my life. It was at your show that I had the fortune of crossing paths with my now fiance, 28, male. Our encounter was nothing short of magical, and it was all thanks to the amazing atmosphere you created and the connections you fostered throughout your podcast. From the moment we locked eyes during the show, there was an instant connection that I can only describe as fate. After the show, he pulled me over and said, quote, is your name wi fi? Because I'm feeling a connection. I admit, not the best line, but to be honest, he was extremely hot. So I decided to give him a chance and accepted his offer to grab drinks. We found ourselves drawn to each other, sharing laughs, engaging in meaningful conversations, and bonding over our shared love for your podcast. The first date turned into a second, which turned into A third, and the next thing I knew, a year went by. We spent Thursdays as date nights where he would cook me dinner, and then we would have a picnic in our backyard while listening to the THT podcast. I swear, our whole relationship doesn't rely on the podcast. It was just something we had in common and bonded over at first. Two weeks ago, on my birthday trip, my fiance proposed. We were in Italy, and he proposed to me on a hot air balloon ride. It was perfect. Our wedding is going to be next year. I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you, Morgan, and all of the other hosts of THT for your incredible podcast and for inadvertently bringing me and my fiance together.
Lauren
I love it.
Morgan
It's just. It's so beautiful. I mean, I opened an email the other day from someone who recently got a colonoscopy thanks to the podcast and found out that she does have colon cancer and wouldn't have likely found it until it was too late. She didn't really have a lot of symptoms. It was in a place where she wouldn't have symptoms until it was too late. But because of the podcast, went and got one. I mean, I just. I look at how this show has changed my life, your life, our lives, but not just ours, and just so many others. And it's. I'm so grateful each and every day for all of you that listen and support the show. And it just. I must be going into Shark Week, because I'm very emotional today. But I just. I really just love this community, and it's a magical little thing.
Lauren
Yeah, it's so amazing when people reach out and share certain stories with me. Like, I just. I can't even explain that feeling because it's something to me. When I was growing up, and I just remember my teachers being so impactful to me. I mean, the ones that were good, there was obviously someone that were not my favorite, but there was some that were just so impactful to me. And I just remember thinking that it'd be really cool to be a teacher, because if I could just have one person in my class be inspired and feel good about themselves, like, then I would feel good. I would feel good, too. And so I think it's really cool to hear stuff like this, that this podcast has brought together a community that, you know, like, outside of me and Morgan, like, you guys are, like, helping each other. You know, people are making friends at the shows, people are making friends in the comments. Like, it's just. I don't know. I think it's. It's a really beautiful thing. And it makes me feel really happy to know that, you know, through all of this, these silly little convos that we have, that it's bringing a lot of positive positivity to a lot of people so that it means. It means a lot, means the world.
Morgan
What Lauren said.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Okay, let's get into these stories. This first one is coming from Am I the Asshole? It is titled Am I the Asshole for Throwing Out My Sister's Organ.
Lauren
That is something you don't hear every day.
Morgan
I don't know if I've ever heard that one. My sister is always intentionally trying to be the odd one out in the family. Recently she's had her first child and she decided she wanted to have her placenta taken by some weird woman and dried and treated so she could scatter it like ashes or plant it with a tree or whatever. She considers herself very witchy, which causes a lot of friction. The woman was supposed to come pick it up, but then my mom and our aunties surprised my sister with a whole bunch of frozen meals while she's in the newborn phase and there wasn't enough room in her deep freeze for all of the dishes plus the giant bag of ice and placenta. My sister texted the woman and she said it could be dropped off early. My mom essentially volunteered me to drop it off since it was on my way home. I picked up my husband on the way because he had had a few drinks after work with friends and was being responsible when he saw the cooler in the back. He looked in it and was extremely grossed out seeing the frozen placenta. After some discussion. He also made me realize it was very disrespectful to him and I to rope us into this because he has very strong beliefs in God. There was also hygiene and health concerns that my husband brought up. It got to a point where it was either he was going to get out of the car and walk or the placenta needed to be out of the car.
Lauren
Oh my God.
Morgan
I texted my sister to come pick it up and our mom but after ages without an answer, we ended up just throwing it out. She's furious and has started making it other people's problems. I know it wasn't the nicest, but it also doesn't seem like that big of a deal. I offered to cover the deposit she put down with the woman who was going to process it and I even got her a gift card to the witch store that she likes to get some herbs and stuff to do the ritual she wanted. Despite it being against my values. She still claims, even after apologizing, making amends, and covering her losses, that I'm an asshole. And she won't let me come see my niece and refuses to come to or bring my niece to family events that I'm at, which is causing huge problems within the family. She told me to post the situation here, and if it's hormones or sleep deprivation making her overreact, then she will let it go. If I'm in the wrong, I don't know what else I can do that I haven't already done to make it up to her. Was this really such an asshole thing even after the amends?
Lauren
Yes, I think so. I think it doesn't matter if you find it weird or not. It's like, you agreed to do it, and now you're turning around and throwing out something that was special that you can't just replace to your sister.
Morgan
It's a placenta.
Lauren
Yeah. So I think it's. It's fine that that's not for everyone. I totally get that. But, like, you agreed to it and then you threw it out. It sucks that she's not letting you see your niece, but it's probably because you don't understand how much that meant to her. And I think the fact that she feels so confused, like, why is it a big deal? Like I said, I'm sorry. I gave her a gift card. It's like, that's the issue, in my opinion. Like, if. If somebody threw out something that was very important to me and they're like. Like, let's say. Let's go back to one of the stuffed animal examples.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
The grandma stuffed animal that that boyfriend threw away. It's like. It's like him being like. I said I'm sorry, and I bought her a new teddy bear. Like, what's the problem? It's that lack of empathy. Yeah. That would be the problem for me.
Morgan
It's not a genuine apology. You're just trying to band aid it, but you still don't recognize that, what you was wrong.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Admit you were wrong and give me a genuine apology. You're not. You're not sorry. You don't see the problem.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
And that's the problem.
Lauren
Exactly.
Morgan
Literally, like, stuff is so frustrating. I just don't understand how, like, it was such a big deal.
Lauren
Oh.
Morgan
Husband gets in the car drunk, starts looking at the cooler. He's grossed out. Why are you looking in there?
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Oh, it's unhygienic. There's health concerns. Why are you going to Eat it. Well, and then he's frozen in a cooler.
Lauren
Yeah. And then. And then he's just like, this is against my religious beliefs. And it's like, okay, well, you're against.
Morgan
A natural body part. She's just preserving it to plant it with a tree.
Lauren
Right. And. And regardless, it's like, well, that. Why are your beliefs more important than her beliefs? The sister agreed to do this favorite. The sister had no idea that her sister would turn around and say, never mind. And then throw it out.
Morgan
That's the thing. Turn around and drop it back off at her house.
Lauren
Exactly. She didn't text back for ages. What is ages?
Morgan
10 minutes.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
10, 20. And it's like, okay, in that time, could you have just driven back and dropped it off with her? Sorry, I can't bring it.
Lauren
And also, if your husband. It was a husband, right?
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
If your husband is being that erratic, like, I'm going to get him. Walk, like, get out and walk, like, fine. That's also concerning.
Morgan
It's very manipulative.
Lauren
Yeah. I don't like.
Morgan
And it's just like one of those things, like, again, why are you making this such a big deal? You don't agree with it.
Lauren
Cool.
Morgan
We won't freeze my placenta.
Lauren
If it was. If. And that's what is annoying, too, is that she's like, oh, then my husband made me realize that we don't agree with this. It's like, no, you had no problem with it when you agreed to it, like, five minutes ago. So stand up for yourself. Stand up for your sister. Tell your husband to shut the fuck up and go and drop the placenta off where you said you were going to and then be done with it.
Morgan
You committed.
Lauren
You committed.
Morgan
If you didn't want to do it, even if your mom and sister or whatever, whoever it was, signed you up for it, you can say, no, I don't. I can't. And don't.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Like, do you know how much stuff my mom tries to sign me up for? Oh, well, Morgan will do this. No, Morgan won't. Morgan don't have time. Morgan can barely get a nap in these days. Morgan will not be doing that. Well, and like, say no.
Lauren
Yeah. And then. And then think about it, too. With. I mean, a lot of people go through a lot of different extreme emotions after pregnancy, like postpartum depression, for one. And so you don't even know what the sister's going through that this was. Could be so, so huge for her and so important for her. And now this is like, the sister Might be thinking that she wants to do this for the rest of her children and that her firstborn will never.
Morgan
Get to have this done.
Lauren
You know, a lot of implications. Yeah, exactly. So if it's something important to your sister, even if you think it's stupid, if you don't agree, if you think it's gross, then have your separate beliefs, but don't, like, infringe your beliefs onto hers and ruin her moment.
Morgan
Yeah, well. And, like, I just wanted to Google it because I know this is, like, a thing that's talked about a lot lately. People are processing their placenta, and I don't even know the process of this, but I'm pretty sure they, like, freeze, dry it or dry it out, grind it up, and then make, like, capsule pills out of the powder. And there are some people that claim there's health benefits to it, and I'm not sure if that's valid. Quick Google search says that there's no evidence that eating the placenta has health benefits, according to the Mayo Clinic. But some people believe that eating the placenta can prevent postpartum depression.
Lauren
Oh.
Morgan
Ease bleeding after delivery, promote a healthy hormone balance, improve mood, blah, blah, blah, blah. Milk supply. Mayo then says, but there's no actual evidence so far. But, like, has it really been evaluated? Because we all know when it comes to women's health, there's not the most research on it. Like, even drug studies were done on men because women's hormones were too irregular. So there's a lot of issues with that and research with women's health and things like that. But it is interesting. Like, even if it was a placebo, you now denied her of that.
Lauren
Right? Right.
Morgan
Come on, man. This one's got me heated. I'm like. I feel like I'm about to pop off. I've been a little angsty. Top comment, where to start? One, do not agree to do things that are against your religious beliefs, and then when it is too late, to back out without consequences, leave other people high and dry. You are married, so you are presumably an adult. The fact that your mother volunteered you is not an excuse. You did not have to agree. Thank you. No is a full sentence. No.
Lauren
Yep.
Morgan
You did not have to literally hold the placenta hostage and throw it out if she couldn't respond and get it to you sooner. Two, the fact that your sister is angry with you for the thing you literally did is not her, quote, making it other people's problem. She's not obligated to suppress her emotions and just forgive you, especially when you clearly do not respect her and don't give a shit about what you did. That's literally what you said, Lauren. 3. It really doesn't matter if you find your sister's beliefs odd or strange. You do not need to share her beliefs. But her wanting to save the placenta so she can plant a tree or do some private ritual literally does not harm you or your husband in any way. So accusing her of being deliberately weird and claiming things like it was a hygiene issue is just bullshit.
Lauren
Her next place Sunday. She's going to make a voodoo doll out of you, though she should.
Morgan
It was in a box, harming neither of you. You don't respect your sister and she knows it. There is no way this is the first incident either. 4. Also, did you even actually apologize? Because you didn't mention that you mentioned offering to pay for the deposit and give her a gift card, which doesn't actually cover the damage considering that the item is irreplaceable, but no apologies. Did you make a sincere apology or did you make all these excuses and expect her to just get over it? My ruling. You're the asshole. Plus, add that a human organ was not properly disposed of. That's a huge biohazard. Oh, next comment.
Lauren
Wow, didn't even think about that.
Morgan
In fact, I think that makes her a criminal. Yep, here in South Carolina, that's up to $5,000 in fines or a year in prison or both for improper disposal of medical waste. Whoa, sewer ass reporter. We have some edits. Okay, edit to add. Didn't really expect this to get so many comments. There's no way I'm going to read all of them just for people to be rude and twist things. But some much needed clarification. I didn't improperly dispose of anything. I just couldn't fully explain with the word limit. We removed it from the car and left it hidden in the cooler on the side of the road. Her husband went and retrieved it later, but it had thawed so they couldn't take it to the place anymore because there were all these strict rules about custody chain and freezing and whatever. So we essentially threw it out but didn't actually. She can still plant it or whatever she wants to do. She just can't have a dried or whatever. Also, to those throwing around US laws, you're not the center of the universe and we don't live there. I clearly stated I apologized, so I'm not sure why people in the comments can't grasp that.
Lauren
Sorry, I'm just laughing at your tone reading this. We clearly don't live there.
Morgan
Obviously, I'm wrong, so whatever, I'll find a way to make it up to her. Overall vote was asshole. Yeah, obviously I'm wrong. You can just picture it, can't you? Like, okay, let me try to read it normal. Okay, obviously I'm wrong, so, whatever, I'll find a way to make it up to her.
Lauren
Yeah, that sounded nice. That sounded nice.
Morgan
Obviously I'm wrong. Just like, you can just hear it. Like, those people that just have, like, that defensive, like, can't ever.
Lauren
But it is such a funny thing, though, because it's like, that is why texts can get so misconstrued, because, you know, like, people will read them in. In a certain tone in their head, and then the other person on the other side was typing it in a different tone in their head, you know, so it's just like.
Morgan
For sure, it is.
Lauren
It is a funny concept.
Morgan
I feel like my texts never come across like how I want them to. I don't know. I feel texting is hard. The voice memo stuff is nice.
Lauren
Yeah, I like voice memo, but I.
Morgan
Hate listening to that.
Lauren
I know. I try to send you voice memos, and you were just like, I can't listen. And I'm like, why? And you're like, I don't know. There's something. I'm like, I'm on a plane.
Morgan
Or like, I hate them.
Lauren
You're like, I'm in a movie. I'm like, just listen to it later. You're like, can't. I'll be busy then too. I really hate them.
Morgan
I really love them. I love the update where you can just click and read it.
Lauren
Oh, I, I. But those have so many mistakes, though. I guess they'll say the funniest things. It'll be like, I just went to TJ Maxx. And they'll be like, I just farted. Like, it literally will, like, have you.
Morgan
You guys some mistakes in yours? And then I've, like, had to listen to them because I'm like, I don't think she was trying to say this.
Lauren
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Morgan
But it's a nice update. I hate voice memos. I don't know why. I don't know. They just.
Lauren
I like them because I have to, like, actually focus because you can't, like, close out of it. So I kind of like that. I'm, like, listening uninterrupted, you know, it makes sense. I feel like there's a lot of times where, like, we multitask. Yeah.
Morgan
Yeah. So I'm like, so it feels like.
Lauren
I'm kind of just like being present with the person who's sending me a four minute voice memo.
Morgan
That's a really good way to look at it.
Lauren
Yeah, okay.
Morgan
Maybe I'll stop hating on them.
Lauren
Got her.
Morgan
One of this week's partners is Cook Unity. As you guys know, I hate cooking. Despise it. But ordering takeout all the time and eating out just adds up really quick. And it also doesn't feel like the healthiest, most high quality meals. Which is why I love CookUnity. With CookUnity, you get affordable restaurant quality food from award winning chefs delivered right to your door. These are meals that are done, ready to go. You simply heat up however you would like and you eat them. For me, I am an air fryer girly. I don't own a microwave, so I love that these Cook Unity meals come without plastic. I can slide them into my air fryer on a little tray and within a few minutes they are ready to go and taste. Amazing. There's so many different meals, but Justin and I mostly eat things with wings, so chicken and turkey. And we were able to find some amazing meals from some award winning chefs. So if you're busy and still want to eat healthy or juggling a bunch of activities for your kids and you don't want chicken nuggets that night, try CookUnity. Avoid the takeout trauma with CookUnity. Affordable food crafted by award winning chefs delivered to your door. Go to cookunity.com THT or enter code THT before checkout. For 50% off your first week. That's 50% off your first week. By using code THT or go to cookunity.com THT okay, this next one coming from Am I the Asshole? Two days old titled Am I the asshole for needing more time to sort out how I feel about the babysitter erasing a love note from my late husband.
Lauren
Oh my God.
Morgan
My late husband would be 44 male, and I 43 female. We used to leave each other notes in dry erase marker on the mirror and on the counter by the coffee maker. When he passed away three years ago, I put tape over his notes to preserve them seemingly forever. Having three young children, I hired a babysitter to help out. She's been with us for a year and one of the first things I pointed out was the notes. The other day, she removed the tape and wiped away the notes, stating that she wasn't thinking and was just trying to help clean up what she thought was something the kids did. It Said, quote, forever. My girl being rather upset, but also open to the idea that it has been three years. Maybe it's time to remove the notes. I told her I needed space to figure things out. I'm leaning towards asking her to not come back because I can't get over it. It seems intentional on some level, but that may just be my hurt talking. Even if it's a lapse in judgment, I wanted to be the one to take it off when I'm ready.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
It's been two days, and I'm still not ready to have her back yet. She keeps asking if she can work. Am I the asshole for wanting to say no and for wanting to say I can't move past this. Thank you all.
Lauren
No, not the asshole.
Morgan
Why did she do this?
Lauren
I don't know. We could dig into a few different parts of this, but I think the first thing is, first is that you're not the asshole if you don't want to have someone to continue to work for you.
Morgan
Absolutely not.
Lauren
When you're feeling this negative about it.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
You know, like, even if it truly was an accident, like, if you don't want to have someone work for you anymore, like, that's okay.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
You know, and obviously, like, if it was truly an accident and the babysitter feels awful and, like, needs to make money, like, then that's unfortunate, but that's also not your problem to bear. The babysitter can be more careful next time. OP said that she mentioned these to her. She let her know what they were. And so next time, in her next job, I'm sure she'll be able to find another babysitting job. She'll just be more aware. It's a learning lesson. Like, it. OP doesn't have to hold that burden if she doesn't feel like she can, like, emotionally stomach it. So that. That. That's my opinion on that. And then. And then we can go back into the fact where it's just like, how did you. Like, you had to take the tape off. It said, forever, my girl.
Morgan
It's so deliberate.
Lauren
It just. That. That is also on top of it, really confusing because it's like, yeah, sure, we all clean and can kind of, like, go into, like, a different world. But, like, when you see writing that says something like that, how do you assume that it's the kids? I mean, I guess it could be really sloppy handwriting and she didn't read what it said, but it does. I would have those thoughts in my head, too. Like, was it deliberate?
Morgan
Like, yeah.
Lauren
And that would. How.
Morgan
I'm just. Sorry, I'm. I'm popping off.
Lauren
No, go for it. I took the no mic. Take it back. No, no.
Morgan
I just, like, I just want. I just want to talk with you so fast. And I'm like, I've had too much coffee. But I just. I don't. I don't get it. I don't how she don't understand how she could even think it's the kids if it was just written forever my girl with nothing over it. Okay, you're just absent mindedly wiping. Listening to music. Oh, oops, didn't see it. Really?
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
There's tape over it that just feels like you look at it, you see the tape, you can read what it says. Forever my girl. Rip the tape off, wipe it. The steps that you went through and still went through with it. Not even a. And maybe this is just a me. Like, I'm an overthinker. So when I would nanny, even if I was like a little confused about something or like just wanted clarification, I would send her a picture and be like, hey, is this what you meant?
Lauren
Right?
Morgan
Hey, you know boys. You said the boys needed this. And like, I get you don't want to be bothered with stupid shit, but that's. No one puts tape on their counter. Yeah, unless it's intentional.
Lauren
Right?
Morgan
Come on.
Lauren
And that's like a. I mean, even if the babysitter wasn't trying to do anything malicious, like maybe the babysitter, maybe it just bothered her. Maybe it was one of those things where she's like a neat freak and it bothered her and so she just pretended like it was an accident. I would have these thoughts in my head too, because of the fact that she pointed it out. Which is why I'm saying, like, op, if you don't feel good about continuing to have her work for you, then like, you don't have to continue to have her work for you.
Morgan
No, and I wouldn't. And going off what you just said, I'm starting to wonder if she's trying to take facilitating op's grief into her own hands. Like, I wonder if she's like, ah, it's been three years. I should get rid of this message. It'll help her move on.
Lauren
How long was she a babysitter for though?
Morgan
I'll see if there's any comments from op, but I could see someone who just like, maybe is a little.
Lauren
You would hope not.
Morgan
I don't know self centered or high horsed, where they would be like, so sad that she's still hung up on this. I'm gonna help her move on. I could so see that.
Lauren
That doesn't compute to me. I can't imagine feeling that way for anyone in my life. Whether it's someone I was babysitting for, a friend of a friend who I just met, like a family member. There's just like no space where I could see myself being like, I'm going to erase a note from their loved one who has passed. So it's hard for me to like, wrap my mind around that. But I do know what you're saying that some people are. They think that it will help them let go and move forward and keep like, living their life to the fullest. So maybe that was that. I would hope not because it's definitely not the babysitter's place, but who knows? Do we have any updates or.
Morgan
So we only have one comment from op it is in response to this comment. Could it have been an accident? One of the kids did it, somehow not intentional, and she, the babysitter, knowing how much it meant to you, took the blame. OP responds, I don't think so. They were all really sweet saying, quote, I'm sorry that happened. One even said he knows it's not the same, but offered to rewrite it.
Lauren
Aw, little nugget. Wait, that's so sweet.
Morgan
That's like a piece of their dad too.
Lauren
Like, he's gone.
Morgan
And that's. Oh, I hope she has a picture of it at least and can like frame it. Like put it in a frame by the coffee maker or something. Like, I really hope she has a picture of it. But that's the only comment from OP no update. But I don't know, like, husband passed three years ago, having three young children. I hired a babysitter to help out. She's been with us for a year.
Lauren
Okay.
Morgan
Yeah. And the fact that it was only a year ago that she pointed it out and it's like, it's been there for a year, you've seen it and you babysitting for a year.
Lauren
That's what it does. I would have the same thoughts of it being questioning if it was intentional.
Morgan
Top comment does quote what Opie said. It seems intentional on some level, but that may just be my hurt talking. She's worked for you for a whole year. The notes were shown her and explained from the get go, but one day she just forgot and thought one of the children wrote forever my girl to you. Yeah, not buying it, right? Okay. I literally did not even read this fucking Post. This person goes on to say she's probably one of those people who think that grief has an appropriate timeline and an expiration date and that people need to be forcefully helped along. This was not her place in any form or fashion. It's pretty outrageous. Even if it had been an accident, you're still deeply upset and you're allowed to no longer want to employ someone who has caused you the grief, not the asshole. Take care of yourself. I'm sorry this happened to you. Edit to add as has been pointed out by other commenters, she would have had to scrape at carefully placed three year old tape and wipe at even older ink twice. Two different locations to remove love notes. And on both occasions she forgot quote. I was explicitly told not to touch this. I'm not buying the autopilot. Thought it was the kids excuses at all.
Lauren
Damn. Wait, it was. It was two different places.
Morgan
I didn't realize.
Lauren
I thought there was still other notes left. I thought it was just one note.
Morgan
We used to write each other love notes and dry erase markers on the mirror and on the counter by the coffee maker. I thought she only won. No, she did both notes.
Lauren
Oh my God.
Morgan
Not just the coffee maker.
Lauren
100% intentional.
Morgan
The other day she removed the tape and wiped away the notes. Plural. Also the goal of her to text op and be like, hey, can I come back to work?
Lauren
I know I need to work.
Morgan
I know I need to work. Not my problem. No, not my problem.
Lauren
Oh my God. This actually, this really bothers me because you're right, this is intentional. I can't see that it's not and that's really messed up. What the.
Morgan
What what? Who would ever do this to someone?
Lauren
And the like the fact that she was working with her for a year and knew about the notes and then just one day decided to do that after a year. No, this was intentional. That's really messed up.
Morgan
Well, and it's like where was that mirror? Was it just a common area bathroom mirror or was it a mirror in their bedroom? Like I never. I was a nanny for a family for two and a half. Maybe, maybe all of college. Like it's starting to blur. But I was like my, my sophomore year of college until I graduated, I was their nanny and I never went in their bedroom. Yeah, the parents bedroom. I. It was off limits to me. I. And they never said I couldn't go in there. She asked me one time to grab something for her and I felt weird going in there. Yeah, I was like o let me run in, run out. Like I Don't like encroaching on people's personal spaces.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
If she went into her bedroom and did this and again, another piece of tape, another, like, not once, but twice.
Lauren
No, that's 100% intentional. That's so messed up. Oh, I can't now. Now with, like, knowing that I can't unsee it because I was trying to think, like, got a doubt, autopilot mode.
Morgan
Like, we've done that shit. Like, you get it.
Lauren
But no, you don't do that twice.
Morgan
No.
Lauren
And specifically, like, I thought maybe it was a brand new nanny. Like, no. For a year.
Morgan
Why didn't you do it six months ago? You've seen it every day for six months.
Lauren
Why didn't you do it on your first day? Like, do you know what I mean? Like, you. No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Morgan
I. I hope OP has pictured there's some way to, like, memorialize those notes. And I'm so, so, so sorry that this happened. It's just like, even though it's been three years, it would almost make the pain just like ripping open a scab. Like, it just. It's then so raw. And I don't think, like, those notes ever had to disappear. Like, I think OP could find the right person, get remarried, and the notes would be fine. Like, the right person would not care that there were notes there. You sell the house. Well, guess you're taking the mirror in the countertop with you. Like, that's just how it works.
Lauren
Or like, like we said before, and I think they said in the comments, but that is not up to somebody else to make that decision for her. If she wanted to do that, if she said it's time, then that's on her to do that, not the babysitter. So that is just so inappropriate.
Morgan
I literally. I literally got that vibe. I was like, I think she's trying to facilitate. I know her moving past that grief, but it was something you said that spurred it. And I was like, I think she's just one of those people.
Lauren
And I was like, I hope not, because I don't understand how she could be. She is anyway.
Morgan
Asshole.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Moving along, moving along. I hope we get an update from op.
Lauren
Me too.
Morgan
Another one of this week's partners is Audible. I don't know about you guys, but I thought audiobooks were going to be boring, lose my attention, and just not have as much substance as a book. I was wrong, which is why I'm really loving Audible. I feel like I'm able to imagine more with the audiobook. I'm seeing the characters and picking up details that I might not have while reading. And I love that I'm able to put Audible audiobooks on while I'm cleaning, while I'm running errands, going to and from. This is going to be a little weird, but my favorite way to listen to my audiobooks now is while I'm outside cleaning horse stalls, feeding the ponies, doing all my chores. It just makes the most mundane task more fun, enjoyable and I'm also feeling Zen while I'm in the moment. You get lost in my audiobook flow and you're going to want to turn Audible because they have the best selections of audiobooks without exception, along with popular podcasts and even Audible originals. And you'll find all the genres you love while also discovering some new ones. There's more ways to imagine when you listen. Sign up for a free 30 day Audible trial and your first audiobook is free. Visit audible.comtht link is also in the description okay, this one is coming from R Slash True off my chest. It is titled I Found My Wife's Secret Google Account and I'm Sick to My Stomach.
Lauren
Secret Google account? What does that even mean?
Morgan
I, male, 36, met my wife Bailey, female 33, nine years ago through mutual co workers and we hit it off immediately. I fell absolutely head over heels with this woman. She was everything I was looking for. I'd gotten out of a toxic, dare I say, abusive long term relationship right before that with a woman Bailey had been acquainted with but was not friends with. I'd blocked her on everything and had no contact with her since breaking up. We got married right after the tail end of the pandemic, bought our first house together and started trying to conceive. That was difficult because Bailey has pcos, but last year she finally gave birth to our first daughter. I'm having a blast being a dad. It's kind of a dream come true. I finally got my happy life with my perfect wife. Until last Monday. My laptop's battery shit the bed so I opened up Bailey's work tablet with an attached keyboard. You can sit at it like a monitor to check on some tax stuff. But she wasn't home. It was just me and the baby. But we've never asked permission to use each other's devices. We've always been open like that. There's nothing for us to hide. That's what I thought. When I opened up the Internet I noticed that she had an incognito tab open. Never in a million years did I expect to discover what I did. My wife has a secret Google account with a photo album saved called xx, so I clicked on it. Did I discover an affair? Nudes? Nope. In this Google album were over 300 photos, 348 actually, of my ex, the woman I was with right before I met Bailey, the woman who tormented me and made me feel worthless. The album said it was started back right around the time Bailey and I started dating and was updated as recently as two weeks ago. The photos range from candid shots with family to pictures at her work functions. There were even pictures from her yearbook. I don't know how Bailey could have found her high school yearbook photos. Photos from vacation, ID photos from work, pictures of her in crowds, screenshots of videos and screen recordings of videos. Just her. The other people in the photos would be scribbled out, or the photo would be cropped and zoomed in on just my ex.
Lauren
What the. This is scary.
Morgan
There was other disturbing things I found, too. There was another album with just zoomed up pictures of my ex's hair. Come to think of it, Bailey had recently started wearing her hair different. And my ex had a very identifiable hair type. There was another album with screenshots of comments on social media. Of course, I can't find them because I have her blocked. Like Facebook groups she's in and public posts. And my ex is very low key on social media. I can't imagine the lengths Bailey went to to find them. My ex literally lives in another country now. There were also different links to the exact outfits she was wearing. Like very specific blouses and trousers you'd have to really go looking for to find a specific water bottle. I remembered her purchasing and identical hiking boots and sandals. So basically, my partner of almost a decade has been single white female ing my ex girlfriend.
Lauren
What is that a phrase these days.
Morgan
Has secretly stalked her to the point of buying her exact clothes and changing her hair. And now I'm starting to realize Bailey's new interests over the years were just my exes. Bailey has turned herself into my ex.
Lauren
Whoa.
Morgan
Everything feels like a lie. Our love feels like a lie. The things we share feel like a lie. I threw up and had a panic attack. I looked at our daughter and felt betrayed. I haven't confronted her yet. I don't know if I want to. I want to run away with our daughter. I want to print out all the pictures, leave them on the table and disappear. I don't know what to do. I just want to throw up.
Lauren
Oh, my God. I don't Even know what to say. I would be very. I would be very freaked out.
Morgan
I'd be terrified. Where do you go from there? You have a kid, you've been together 10 years. Where do you go from there?
Lauren
It's interesting, too, that he had no, like, inkling that, you know, like, you would think that he'd be like, you know, she did say that she was jealous or, you know, that she always felt, like, insecure. Like, it doesn't sound. It seems like. And that. And I think that is kind of what freaks me out more, is that this complete secret side of her, instead of, like, him kind of knowing that she was struggling with, like, comparison or something along the way.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
Just the way that she was able for an entire decade to kind of keep these, like, this secret, like, life. I don't know, it.
Morgan
Yeah, she hit it really well.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
The fact that it's never come up, even, like, a casual conversation of, like, what was your ex like? Or, you know, like, now I'm five years in with Justin and, like, almost six, and I, you know, recently found out what his ex looked like. I don't know if I would have gone 10 years without being curious.
Lauren
Now I want to know. Yeah, I've never known either.
Morgan
I literally just found out recently. I was like, oh, okay, cool. And then, you know, I started watching Nobody Wants this on Netflix, which. Can we talk about how they definitely got Inspo from Two Hot Takes? Let's. Let's talk about that maybe another day. But she is very open about his ex. And she's like, what was Rebecca like? I'm obsessed with your ex.
Lauren
Like, yeah.
Morgan
And I'm like, okay, maybe there's a fine line of that not being healthy, but to ask, like, general questions like, what was she like? And I'm not surprised he missed it where, like, she was slowly morphing into someone else. Because it is such a long time and people have a type. Like, there's a very good chance that from a get go, they were two very similar people. Because sometimes people do have a type.
Lauren
Right?
Morgan
So I. It's just. I could see it happening.
Lauren
It's just the whole thing is just really odd because it's like, it's a true obsession because you're. You want everything that she has. I think it'd be different if, like, she was just following her because she was an Instagram model and she loves her style. And she's like, I don't care that she's your ex. I love her style. Cute boots. I'm gonna buy Them too. But this secret little incognito file and doing it for the past decade and like zooming in and like crossing other people's faces off and then like zooming in on the X like that is. That's creepy.
Morgan
It's crazy. I mean some of the stuff in there, I just like I could dissect everything all day. Like all of the pictures. But then the folder have just cropped in on her hair. But then like the other people scribbled like you said. But then the yearbook photo, work badge pictures. How did she get some of these pictures? Pictures of her in a crowd. Is she stalking her in person and taking some of those pictures herself?
Lauren
Exactly. And he said that she was like very low maintenance or not on social media much. So that also is a huge red flag because it's like, I mean, oh my gosh, this is just so concerning.
Morgan
Top comment. I'm so sorry, this sounds like something out of creepy Pasta. OP responds. I'm actually surprised with the amount of support I've gotten on here in the last hour. Haha. Believe it or not, there are no other red flags in our marriage now. I don't know what else I've missed. First off, I'm sorry you were in an abusive relationship. Second, unfortunately, as hard as this will be, the only option here is to sit her down and ask what the hell is going on. Yeah, don't let her bog you down by bringing up that you snooped. You did, don't deny it. But that doesn't compare to her cyber stalking your abusive ex and imitating her. Look, it's creepy and I can't even begin to imagine why she would. Your wife is the one you married and your relationship with this other woman was horrible. You're clearly not pining for the bad old days, so I've got no theories. Yeah, and that's so true. Like, this other woman was not a threat at all. She's the furthest thing from a threat, right? OP has her blocked on everything. What the fuck?
Lauren
There's just so many things where it's gone way too far. Because even if wife was doing this for maybe like the first six months of their relationship, it would be questionable, but maybe she was just having a really hard time. Like, do you still love her? What if he still loves her? Like the obsession, but like the, the 10 years is so confusing to me. Like how do you stay dedicated to trying to like mimic everything that this person is doing for 10 years?
Morgan
It's a lot of effort and time. And who are you, then who are you?
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
If you're so involved and engrossed in becoming someone else, who are you?
Lauren
Is there any chance that he went back to his ex while he got back with this girl and that just kind of like spiraled this crisis?
Morgan
There's no mention of them ever getting together. It sounds like from the time Bailey and Op met, they were kind of dating an exclusive. There's another comment Op adds in response to the one about the other red flags. I don't know what I've missed while I talked about my ex. Most of the things I told my wife about her were negative and paint her in not such a good light. My wife knows these things and knows they were traumatic. Of course I've mentioned things like what she does for a living and things she used to do. I think everything else she found she got through intense cyber stalking through my ex's friends and family. The yearbook photos, I have no idea. And then there is an edit removed specific info. So I don't accidentally dox myself. But I mean, there's one comment, someone's like, best thing to do is address it now and see what will change if she no longer has someone to replicate.
Lauren
I really want to get her reaction. I really hope he gives us updates.
Morgan
So OP does respond to that one and goes, I feel like what's worse is that she's subtly making these changes over time under my nose. So my ex has a specific career and Bailey didn't express interest in switching careers to the exact same thing until after I mentioned what my ex did. I didn't notice at the time, but I remember telling her, quote, x went to school for that. The hair was more recent, the outfits and objects slowly over time, the interest. I'm not sure how much she's stolen personality wise from my ex and what she actually likes. It's all incredibly exhausting and confusing. And that's how I would feel. I'd be like, who are you?
Lauren
Yeah, who are you?
Morgan
If it was like, if that folder was from the time when they were dating, like he said there were times.
Lauren
Before marriage or something.
Morgan
Yeah. Like there were a couple of the pictures saved from when we first started dating.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
But the fact that he was like, it was updated as recently as two weeks ago.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
That's you have a baby together, you're happy.
Lauren
And like, I don't. Yeah, there's. There's just so many things that make this just too far and I really can't get over like the scribbles though.
Morgan
Because if like you don't want to see other people, only her. So clearly.
Lauren
Right. It's just. It's odd. Like, if she was just, like, had this obsession that she got in this habit of doing and she's just kept, like, checking on the ex and then she, like, didn't want to accidentally, like, like, I don't know. Creating a separate album is just confusing to me in general. But, like, scribbling people's faces out. Oh, man, I don't know.
Morgan
This is just so odd.
Lauren
I really, really would love to get, like, what the wife says about it. Like, does she deny it and say, you're crazy, gaslight him? Or is she going to be like, I'm sorry. I have been battling, like, this mental health, like, issue that I've been having, and I wanted to keep you out of it because it makes me feel so crazy. Like, I want to know, like, what her response is going to be so badly.
Morgan
Well, we don't have enough. Just kidding. We do. Yeah.
Lauren
Oh, why'd you do that to me? Oh, my gosh.
Morgan
So the original post was coming from March 17th of 2024 this year, and the update came July 7th. So March, April, May, June, July. Like, almost four months.
Lauren
Okay.
Morgan
I'm pretty sure I accidentally got my original post removed just now because I tried to update it with a link to my update. Oops. Anyways, I'm the guy that found the Google Drive full of pictures of my ex, so I was not expecting my original post to go viral on YouTube and TikTok and have so many responses. Yikes. I'm overwhelmed by the support. I am humbled by the number of people who have been through this experience on both sides.
Lauren
Whoa.
Morgan
Wow. I have an update, but it's probably not as exciting and as juicy as you want. It's not bad, though. First, let me clear a few things up. If people think this post is fake because it doesn't make sense or are trying to conceive timeline is short or the way I worded things makes it looks like a teenager or woman wrote it. Continue to think that because it means I've successfully been vague enough and worded things to not accidentally dox myself. Because this is a creative writing exercise so I don't embarrass myself. For real? No, I actually didn't throw up. I was in the middle of a panic attack. Private browsing tabs were open to the websites with clothing and objects. Another tab was signed into Google Photos when I exited the Google photo tab to look at the website with clothes and came Back. It was already signed out and I couldn't get back in. A lot of the clothing I recognized wasn't because I remembered my ex wearing them. There were more recent pictures of her in the file wearing them. And I remember the day Bailey bought the water bottle that also happened to be in the folder the hair. Bailey and my ex are the same race, and my ex wore braids in a particular way. Not so particular that it's exclusive to my ex because Bailey has also worn different braids. But seeing pictures of her made me put two and two together. Is there any way Bailey could have gotten with me in an attempt to get to my ex? Was Bailey possibly obsessed with my ex before she met me? Probably not, because Bailey grew up here and my ex originally moved here for university. And while you can drive across the border, it's not that easy. And I don't think Bailey was going back and forth to stalk her in person. Also, the reason why my ex and I broke up have nothing to do with Bailey, and she could not have had any involvement onto the actual update. The next day, when I had calmed down, I called several social workers and therapists. I was planning to confront her there. Unfortunately, the only places I'd take our insurance did not have an opening for another couple of weeks. So despite what a lot of you think, I've known my wife for nearly a decade. And even while I was confused and upset and doubting things, I didn't think she'd be a danger to me. We took baby to grandma's and I asked her to go for a walk with me. I did not beat around the bush and straight up told her, quote, I found the folder, her face got very red and she was frozen, but also tried to play dumb at first. I was persistent and she started crying and begged me not to leave her. This is what I uncovered. Bailey first started looking at my ex out of curiosity, to keep tabs, I guess. But over time, it became more pathological. It's like she got addicted to it. But she also wanted to please me. Okay, maybe I talked about my ex a lot more than I thought, and Bailey wanted to emulate the good parts. She told me she really doesn't know who she is. And my ex's image was something she latched onto because, quote, she had me first. Finding information about her became a game. Finding the clothing objects became a game by searching things like blue water bottle, green stripe. Until she compared the product to a photo and found the exact one. The reason why I couldn't find the post Wasn't because I had blocked my ex, but because my ex had made a new Facebook under a different name. Bailey found her profile by searching up a family member. She made a fake social media and added enough mutual friends until she could see my ex's post and until her private Instagram accepted her. She weaseled her way into her exercise Facebook group where the videos were posted and searched her high school on a yearbook website to find the yearbook pictures. Over time, she just collected the images and would get excited to find something new. Despite the fact that my ex is extremely private on social media, the folder had originally been called quote hex the X in case I discovered it. She was going to make the excuse of saving the pictures to put a hex on her when she made burner Google account.
Lauren
That's more normal.
Morgan
I think that might be worse.
Lauren
Yeah, I'm kidding.
Morgan
When she made a burner Google account, she deleted the old folder and named the new one xx. Then she got sloppy and comfortable. And that's right around the time I just happened to open the work tablet. We took a break. It was a while. We made it to couples counseling and Bailey and I also began seeing separate therapists. She still has not had an assessment with a psychiatrist, but it's on the list. She promised to stop and deleted the album in front of me. Slowly, certain clothing items began to disappear from the closet. I still do not entirely trust her, and that is for me to work on. I'm afraid she has another secret account somewhere, like a backup. The physical mimicking is actually stopping though, including the hair change. We're still not okay. I want us to be okay, and it's okay if that takes time. If we end up not being okay, then that's something I have to deal with. What I do know is that my wife is incredibly insecure, probably mentally ill, and is misled. I don't really want to walk away from that. Although this probably isn't the most exciting update. I appreciate the private messages. I just couldn't get back to Reddit cares and links to resources. I'm not sure how I feel about social media. YouTube and TikTok pick it up. My story, though. That's wild. Until next time. If I ever give another update, I do hope it's a good one.
Lauren
Damn. Until next time.
Morgan
Until next time.
Lauren
I mean, I guess it's kind of exactly what we all thought, but, um.
Morgan
I mean, I feel like that's. A lot of people are screaming, ah, he should have got divorced. But there's so much more nuance to life than that.
Lauren
Yeah, I don't. This doesn't scream divorce to me. I think I would be more concerned if the wife completely gaslit him, wouldn't own up to it, like said he was crazy, like that type of stuff, then I'd be concerned around it. But the fact that, you know, she was embarrassed and then she came clean, I don't think that it's like an immediate, like divorce worthy. It just, it depends on what happens from here. What it sounds like to me is that she was interested in the ex and then it became a little obsessive because she gamified it. Yeah, she literally gamified it and then it became an addiction that she just didn't drop. So I, you know, if nothing else is going wrong in the relationship and if she's going to be honest about getting help and talking it out of why she did it and not doing that anymore, then I don't see why, you know, they shouldn't still try. But again, it's up to op and like how he feels. If he feels really betrayed and he can't move forward from it, then like, that's that. But if he thinks he can, you know, still trust her and feel that she still is the same person that she is, like she is her own person and she was just copying clothes because she had this like addiction and he can get over it, then.
Morgan
That'S their life. Yeah, that's life. And I mean, do they do have a kid together, like otherwise really happy marriage. And I mean, he even kind of admitted he's like, maybe I did talk about my ex a lot more than I thought. And so maybe, you know, she loved him so much she felt that need to do it and still unhinged. But you know, you could, you could rationalize it a little bit more and you know, they'll proceed forward and they'll figure it out.
Lauren
Even if he just said in passing, like, oh, my ex was super stylish, very into fashion, but she, and she used it against me and blah, blah, blah, and always said that I, my fashion suck. Like, even if he said that and he, in his head he's thinking, he's talking about her being like, yeah, toxic. And then his partner is just like, she's fashionable.
Morgan
She's fashionable. She has such good fashion sense. Yeah, you pick up the positive versus the negative that follows. Yeah, yeah. This one is wild. Wild. Like, I do wish them the best. I, I'm very curious about the other people's comments about being in similar circumstances.
Lauren
Yeah, I Mean, I. It doesn't really surprise me that much because I do think that that's something that happens with people. When you fall so in love with somebody. Knowing that they had a past before you, I think can sometimes be like, trippy.
Morgan
I would lose it if I opened Justin's computer and there was a picture of my ex boyfriends on there. I would lose my mind. I'd be like, sir, are you okay? Yeah, I don't know. I don't know. It would be very challenging.
Lauren
But wait, just a picture or like multiple pictures?
Morgan
Like multiple. 346. Yeah, 346.
Lauren
Because if I saw like one picture, then I would just think that he like sent it to his friend to like make fun of my ex. Yeah, I wouldn't be.
Morgan
Or like wanted to see what he looked like and. Because, I don't know, I guess I did have a couple pictures of my ex on there when we met, but I don't know.
Lauren
Yeah, I haven't, I haven't really taken anything down from people I've dated. Yeah, I know.
Morgan
I have a lot of pictures. I was scrolling the other day. I have a picture with like one of my guy friends and it literally looks like we're dating. And I'm like, I can see why that pose.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Is.
Lauren
Yeah, I know. I saw, I saw this one picture of a brother and sister.
Morgan
Oh, I know. Siblings are dating stuff.
Lauren
And it was such a relationship pose. And honestly, they've been there. They're both so cute that like, if you didn't know that they were siblings, you'd be like, oh, my God, they're such a cute couple.
Morgan
Yeah, I definitely have a picture like that with my little brother and it's framed at my mom's place. And every time I look at it, I'm like, I'm truly just so awkward and don't know what to do with my hands that I just put it there. I'm just.
Lauren
Where was the hand? Where'd you put it?
Morgan
Like, you know, you like kind of loop your arm around someone and then like put your hand.
Lauren
Yeah. Like on his chest.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
Okay. Your face looks so embarrassed.
Morgan
I just. I literally want to pay someone to Photoshop it and make it normal.
Lauren
It's fine. I mean, it shouldn't be. It shouldn't be that big of a deal. It's just. It is. It. You know, I mean, it's just funny because it's like when you. When there's like a boy and girl sibling and they're around the same age and they. And a lot of people, like when they're dating each other, a lot of times you see people who date people that look familiar to them. That's like a psychological thing.
Morgan
I know.
Lauren
So it's not. It's not that wild, but thank you. It's, you know.
Morgan
Yeah. I need. I need that reassurance.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Okay. Moving along. Okay.
Lauren
Fuck, you're not a creep. It's okay.
Morgan
Another one of this week's partners is skims. I've always been that person that once I get home, I race to take off that painful bra. And even when I do take it off for hours after, I will have lines from that underwire. Not with skims. Skims are some of the comfiest bras I've had in years. And trust me, I went on a broad journey. I was ordering from just about every brand you possibly could, and none of them were as comfortable, as flattering, as supportive, while also looking sexy. And even if you don't want to look sexy, you want a comfy T shirt bra. They've got you covered there too. They have so many different options, textures, materials, and skims does a whole lot more than bras, from loungewear to T shirts. The robe, you guys, me and Justin are fighting over this robe right now. I get it from my ad reads and editing the rest of this episode after he dibs it for after his shower. And it's now his bedtime outfit. I think it's time to get another one. So if you're ready to try for yourself, shop skims bras@skims.com now available in 62 sizes, 38 to 46h. If you haven't yet, be sure to let them know we sent you. After you place your order, select podcast in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Thank you. Okay, this next one coming from. Am I the asshole? Am I the asshole for making my daughter pay back a thousand dollars dress she was supposed to wear in a wedding? I have a daughter, Emma, 16, female, who was supposed to be a bridesmaid in her older sister's wedding. My oldest wasn't planning to have Emma in the wedding party. It was Emma who really wanted to be a bridesmaid because she was excited and wanted to be involved. My oldest agreed to include her, even though it meant extra costs and adjustments the brides made. Dresses, shoes, and fitting were around $1,000 each, which we agreed to pay for since Emma did not have the cash. The wedding is in a month. Emma suddenly changed her mind. She's refusing to wear the dress since she thinks it is ugly, saying it is unflattering on her. It is, but didn't speak up at any part. She said she felt uncomfortable and wasn't close to the other bridesmaids and didn't want to participate anymore. I reminded her that she had been the one pushing to be a part of the wedding, but she was firm and backed out. Now we're stuck with a thousand dollar dress that can't be returned. I told Emma that since she was the one who wanted to be in the wedding and then backed out, she would need to pay us back for the dress either by working part time or payment plans using her gift money. Emma is upset and says it's unfair, claiming we're punishing her for not wanting to do something she wasn't comfortable with anymore. Multiple family members think I'm being too harsh. Am I the asshole?
Lauren
How old is Emma again?
Morgan
16.
Lauren
16. What are your thoughts?
Morgan
No.
Lauren
Which part? What's now?
Morgan
Not the asshole. I think this is a great lesson for Emma to learn. I. I think it's justified. It's kind of one of those consequences. Like you begged to be in the wedding. You inserted yourself. We helped you buy this expensive dress so you would be involved, but now you're backing up because you think it's ugly. It's not about you, Emma. Yeah. I think you should wear the dress and be a part of the day.
Lauren
Is there still time? It's not the after. After the fact that they're saying to pay her back.
Morgan
Wedding is in a month.
Lauren
Oh, okay.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
I mean. Okay. So the wedding hasn't happened yet. So she can still be in it. So I think she should just be in it. And actually, you know, I was thinking 16 sounds young, but it's actually a prime time to teach lessons like that, that money, you know, that money actually.
Morgan
Doesn'T grow on trees.
Lauren
Yeah. And I think that, you know, because I growing up, like I would save my money from gift money or I would do what, like babysitting or I would get whatever job that would hire me. And like I was working at cold stone for $6 an hour, which like I don't even know still how it was legal. Apparently it's because like we were able to take tip, but. And what. Yeah, I know. I don't really understand, but I was like 15. So I just, I really remember thinking, you know, anytime that I would buy something, if I would go into Abercrombie and Fitch and buy a pair of jeans, then I would put into how many hours I worked for that pair of jeans. And I think it's really good to have like think like that at a young age. So. Yeah, I think what you said makes a lot of sense. If she's not willing to be a part of the wedding anymore when it was something she really wanted to do originally because she doesn't feel comfortable with the dress. While you either wear the dress, be in the wedding, or you pay your parents back and understand the meaning of money.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
And they said, you know, payment plans. So it's not like they're like, find the money right now or get out.
Morgan
Or we're selling your car. Yeah, we're selling. Like, I think it's the most fair, like pop off, put your foot down.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
We've had in a while. And I don't think a lot of bridesmaids dresses are great. I think some people are making moves to really put their bridesmaids in really flattering things. But like, I don't know, there's a lot of ugly bridesmaids dresses out there. They're just kind of standard and you know, meh.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Like, I don't know, like I've, I've. There's very few bridesmaids dresses I've been excited about and I think they're pretty, but they're very nice. And I like, I remember being asked to be in my brother's wedding and I was so happy to be part of the day. Did I love my dress and how I looked in the pictures? No. But it wasn't about me. I was there to support them and have fun, you know, be involved in their day. And it's so special to even be included.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
She forced her way in. Now you're a part of it. You're 16. You're gonna be in those pictures. You're gonna be a part of the day. Like, who cares what you're in?
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
If you don't want to post the pictures, don't post the pictures on your own Instagram.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
But be a part of the day. That's true. You inserted your stupid little self in there.
Lauren
Suck it up. That's so, so true. And I think the only hesitation that I had was thinking if, if the 16 year old had no idea, let's say they didn't discuss cost with her. If she just thought it was a hundred dollar dress and then they were like, no, it was actually a thousand dollars. If that was a shock to her, then I would feel a little bit bad.
Morgan
Yeah. But this sounds like it was transparent up front.
Lauren
Right. And at the same time, though, still, even if it was $100 or not, it's just like, be a part of the day, Suck it up. Like you said, you don't have to post it on your own social media.
Morgan
It's literally like you're not even. No one's gonna see it. Yeah, no one's gonna see it. Who's gonna see it? No one. The people in the room, they don't care about you and your bridesmaids dress.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
They care about the bride and groom. That's who they're there for. You're not the center of attention. You, you literally. I don't know why this one's making me pop off so much, but it's like you inserted yourself, you pressured your sister and like, it's like, well, maybe she thought ahead of time and this is why she asked you in the first place. But I don't think you can force her. Like, it's hard because I feel like I do want to force her to. Like, you committed to this. You signed up for it. A thousand dollar bridesmaids dress is a lot of money.
Lauren
Well, that was. I kind of.
Morgan
That's a lot.
Lauren
That doesn't really sit well with me either. I don't understand how people are expecting their bridesmaids to have a thousand dollar dresses.
Morgan
I don't know.
Lauren
Unless they're paying for it.
Morgan
Maybe, maybe that's why that there was going to be additional costs. Oh, and so maybe the bride was paying for it.
Lauren
So she was like, I'm not going to add another. Yeah.
Morgan
And so the parents were then like, we'll pay for it.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
That would make sense. So top comment. Not the. A lot of people in the comments are making assumptions or straight up making things up that are the opposite of what OP has stated. The dress is the same for all the bridesmaids and Emma has only ever met the bridesmaids while supervised. So there hasn't been any bullying. The bride didn't even want Emma as a bridesmaid. This is something that Emma pushed for. The fact is she's 16 and bulldozed her way into a position as a bridesmaid. And now that she's realized the style of dress isn't ideal, she's throwing a tantrum.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And that is a really good point.
Lauren
No, I think this is a really important time in somebody's life to learn a lot of these really valuable lessons.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
So, you know, if you are pushing and you want and you're committing to Something follow through or pay the consequences of not following through. I mean, my uncle used to be, you know, he was really wealthy and he used to be really hard on my cousins because he wanted them to.
Morgan
Really appreciate money and.
Lauren
Yeah. And be sufficient too. And so they told this story how when they were little and they would get a budget and he would give them a budget for the entire summer, they just had to write out exactly what they wanted to do and how much it would cost. They would do their own research and have this little Excel or whatever. And one of my cousins forgot to like, include camp. And so. Yeah.
Morgan
No. And so he's like, sorry, the old well clause.
Lauren
You can go to camp next year.
Morgan
Damn.
Lauren
Yeah, and it's.
Morgan
It sounds harsh, but. Right. How amazing of a lesson is that?
Lauren
Right? Exactly. So it's like, it's harsh, but at the same time, you know, when they had a lot of opportunities, it's like he wanted to make sure that their brain developed in a way that was being self sufficient for themselves, that they weren't just like, relying on him, you know? So I think in a story like this, I think it makes a lot of sense to have some tough love because in the end you're actually just helping her build her character and be a better adult in the future.
Morgan
And that's life. Yeah, life is like wearing. You know, maybe you get a job at a place and you hate the uniform. I'm gonna tell you right now, did I love my Perkins uniform? No. Did I still wear it because I wanted the money to go buy my Buckle jeans? You were talking about Abercrombie, and I'm like, oh, my God. The amount of money I wasted at the Buckle buying bedazzled Miss Me jeans.
Lauren
That is like the image I have of you when we first became friends. So I feel like you wore the Buckle jeans, like, right when we first met too.
Morgan
I definitely did.
Lauren
Unless. Unless I just saw pictures of your.
Morgan
Yeah, I was still rocking them.
Lauren
You're still a Buckle Jean girl. Yeah. So it's just funny because I can like, picture you perfectly with your little, like, swooshy hair and.
Morgan
Dude, it's just crazy the development we've had. But yeah, I think it's. It's gotta be one of those lessons she learns. The comment does go on to say, frankly, how she feels about the dress. Doesn't matter. The wedding is about the bride. And the bride picked the same dress for all the bridesmaids and didn't even want Emma there. Emma pushed for this, so she should either suck it up and wear the dress or she should take responsibility for her decisions and pay back the cost. Again, this is a 16 year old that bullied her way into being a bridesmaid despite being warned of the cost. And now she's wanting to drop out because the dress isn't ideal. She was perfectly fine spending her parents money, but now that there are real consequences, she's upset, not the asshole. And Opie did have an edit on the top of the post. I didn't go to my oldest and pressure her to make Emma a bridesmaid. My oldest gave in after Emma pestered her about it. Emma has a phone. I don't even learn about the pestering until after she was added. Yeah, there are a couple comments from Op just kind of describing the dress. I was kind of curious about it. It is about the dress. It's not about other bridesmaids or bullying.
Lauren
Okay.
Morgan
It got back from being fitted and she hates it. We picked it up two days ago. Her dress isn't different from others and she doesn't have a mental health issue. It's just not flattering for her body type. God. I.
Lauren
You know what dresses I really don't like? Silky dresses that don't have like a cinch by the ruching. Yeah. By the stomach area. I'm just going to be uncomfortable like the entire night if I'm wearing like a silk dress that's like tight against me with no, like, ruching.
Morgan
I don't want people to see the outline of my belly button. No.
Lauren
Yeah, I'm good.
Morgan
I'm good. The dress is a fall orange. It's not a bad color, but she hates it. Everyone else was happy with the dress. No. I wasn't gonna go to my oldest and ask her to change the dress everyone else was fine with because it wasn't flattering on someone that wasn't even originally part of the bridal party. That would be so entitled and wrong. So Op seems to have a good head about him.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Him, her. I don't know if they ever said them.
Lauren
Oh, I.
Morgan
Think Emma needs to get with the program or pay for the dress. Sorry. Emma pop off next. Another one of this week's partners is Lumi. Well, I think I've finally figured out this deodorant thing. I've got a Lume in my bathroom, my car, and a travel size in my purse. So guess who hasn't forgot to put on their deodorant lately? Me. And good thing, because I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like my body odor has gotten worse over the years and I don't want anyone to ever say I smell bad. And thanks to Lumi, that is not gonna happen. Lume is a deodorant that was created by an obgyn and it works everywhere. It is pH balanced so it's safe to use pits, privates beyond and it is clinically proven to last up to 72 hours. Lumi is also baking soda free and paraben free. Lume's starter pack is perfect for new customers. It comes with a solid stick deodorant, cream tube deodorant, two free products of your choice like mini body wash and deodorant wipes, and free shipping as a special offer for listeners. All customers get 15% off all Lumi products with our exclusive code. That's right. Not just new customers, returning customers too. And if you combine the 15% off with the already discounted starter pack, that equals over 40% off their starter pack. Use code THT for 15% off your first purchase at lumideoderant.com that's code THT@L U M E D E O D O R a n t.com Please support our show and tell them we sent you Smell fresher, stay drier and boost your confidence from head to toe with Lumi. Okay, this next one is coming from Aitah titled Am I the Asshole for telling my wife I'm done with her emergency calls and leaving her stranded. I, 32, male, have been married to my wife, 29, female, for four years and we have a three year old son. She's not a bad person, but she is constantly in a state of chaos and every little thing becomes my problem. No exaggeration, I get these emergency calls multiple times a week. Flat tire calls me at work, forgot her wallet, calls me. Grocery store out of her favorite oat milk blows up my phone like the world's ending. It's relentless. I work full time and do my fair share at home with our son. Diaper duty, bedtime stories, cooking, cleaning, you name it. But these crises are killing me. I've told her before that unless it's a real emergency, like someone bleeding or stuck on a highway at night, she needs to figure it out. I don't have the bandwidth to drop everything constantly. The last straw came two days ago. I had to take my son to the doctor because he had an ear infection and I was already running on fumes. While I'm in the waiting room with a fussy toddler, she calls me in A panic because she locked herself out of her car in front of a target five minutes from home. I told her, quote, I can't leave. You'll have to call someone to pop the window. She freaked out, saying that would cost too much, she didn't bring enough cash, and I was being unreasonable. I stayed firm, said she needed to figure it out, and I hung up. When I got home later, she was furious. She said that the guy charged her $150 and I should have come to help because she, quote, didn't think to grab her wallet. I told her point blank, quote, I'm done rescuing you from things you can easily handle. You need to stop acting like everything is a disaster now. She's barely speaking to me, acting like I'm the villain for not dropping everything for her again. My brother thinks I was harsh, but my mom said I was right to set boundaries. So am I the asshole for leaving her stranded this time?
Lauren
I don't think so. I think if it's something that's consistently happening, then, I mean, you have to set boundaries at some point. If this was an isolated situation, I would probably be like, you should have helped her out. You should have. I don't know. I think that it's because it's like, so consistent that he needs to set a boundary at some point. And kind of like what we're talking about in other stories. It's just like, you got to learn your lesson too. She made a mistake. That's okay. But it's time for her to fix it on her own, and that's okay too. And I think sometimes when people get in relationships and the other person does a lot for them, then they start to kind of like, lean into that and. And sometimes forget to be their own independent self without actively trying to do that. They just kind of fall into that cycle. So if the partner continues to let it happen, then it's almost like they're. They're losing some of their individuality or their self sufficientness.
Morgan
What's the word for that?
Lauren
Yeah, exactly.
Morgan
Yeah, I. And you do become, like, almost complacent in your own life. Like, if you have someone doing everything for you, it's like, yeah, well, I'm just. Just. I'm good. I'm comfortable not doing anything right.
Lauren
But I don't even think. I feel like that's a depressing feeling though, too. Like, I think it's good for people to have that individuality and to a.
Morgan
Point, but it's like, if I could have breakfast in bed every day, I would. I certainly would. But, like, I know that's not. That's not a reasonable expectation to put on my partner either. Like, I can wake up, I can put my hash brown in the air fryer, I can put some eggs on the stove over easy. Like, I can do it. But she's not even being reasonable in what she's calling him for the stories out of your favorite oat milk.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
What's he supposed to do about it? Like, if this was me, I would feel suffocated.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
You're so dependent on me that you can't even problem solve what to do when a store doesn't have your oat milk.
Lauren
Right?
Morgan
This is crazy. And I know there are some people who, they didn't grow up learning certain things. They're not as self sufficient as others. I get that. But let's talk about it. Let's work through this. Here's an experience. Call the tow truck company, see if anyone can come get your car open. Do you have aaa? Okay, we don't. We should think about getting AAA now in case this happens again. Then you have someone you know you can call, but she's like, I don't have my wallet. I don't have my wallet. Who doesn't bring their wallet to Target? Come on, ma'am. And it's like your baby is at the doctor for an ear infection, right? You want your partner to leave the doctor's office to come fix your problem at Target? You can sit there and wait until I'm done with the doctor, go back in the store, take a lap. Take a lap, bitch. Because this is not my issue right now and it's a five minute journey from home. Do you have another set of keys at home? You have your phone. You called me. Can you Uber home and get your other keys? Because an Uber is probably cheaper than 150 bucks. Use your brain. Use your brain. I think I'm popping off today more than these people.
Lauren
I like it. It's just.
Morgan
It's frustrating because I can. I can just feel that smotheringness of this. And it's not. I don't know, it's just. It's so simple.
Lauren
No, it's just, I think. And what I meant earlier too, about it being good to do your own things because. And when you said, you know, I'd like to have breakfast in bed every day, I'm thinking more of like, there's certain times where. So my boyfriend, he. He drives a lot. He likes to drive. He's the one who drives us A lot. And so, like, we'll go and drive and, like, do get groceries together. And there is something that when he's out of town and I drive myself and get my own groceries, there is something that feels really, like, empowering, which sounds so silly to say, but it's like, it's good to do things on your own sometimes.
Morgan
It genuinely, like, improves your confidence, your self worth, and it's like, oh, that sounds so silly. Right? Like going to the grocery store. But no, genuinely, like, doing little tasks for yourself and building up your confidence and your abilities is so good for you. Yeah, it really is.
Lauren
Yeah. I just think doing things, like doing anything on your own is. Every once in a while is very good for you. So that's. That's why I'm. I mean, I'm a fan of him. Just saying, like, I gotta draw the boundaries somewhere because I think it's actually helpful for her as well.
Morgan
I do, too. I think so. Because it's like, you also need to raise a little human to be a capable, happy, healthy human.
Lauren
Exactly.
Morgan
Can't do that if you're, like, incapable of handling yourself. Top comment. Not the asshole quote, my car won't open quote. I'm at the doctor with our son. You are not the priority.
Lauren
Yeah. Which is the right thing to do.
Morgan
OP responds, that's exactly it. I was focused on our son, and it felt like she didn't see what really mattered. I can't keep putting everything aside for every little excuse someone goes. She had so many options. Go back into Target, get a coffee and wait for dad to be done at the doctor. Or walk home and get the car later.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Sounds like she's missing some critical thinking skills.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
Curious if there's an update on this one. Like, that's the other thing, too. It's like, realistically, did you expect me to leave the doctor when our son has an ear infection? Is that realistically what she was expecting of him? There are a lot of comments from op. I just scrolled like four or five. Maybe six, maybe seven. Could have been eight times.
Lauren
Whoa.
Morgan
I lost track. There's. It was so many scrolls.
Lauren
Whoa. OP had a lot to get off.
Morgan
The op's really going through it.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
It's draining, to say the least. I feel like every small inconvenience turns into a crisis, and I'm always the first call. At some point, I just hit my limit. I can't keep putting out fires that aren't even real emergencies.
Lauren
It's.
Morgan
It almost reminds me of, like, the little boy who Cried wolf. There's a wolf. There's a wolf. No wolf. By the time there was a wolf and he cried wolf, no one believed him and his ass got eaten.
Lauren
Yeah. Kind of reminds me too of the, the. That sailboat when the, when the guy had the partner who was.
Morgan
We're gonna die. Yeah, we're gonna die.
Lauren
Just like in the way that it sounds that both OP and the other OP are feeling.
Morgan
Yeah. There's a comment. I see her getting flustered by everyday challenges and it seems like she doesn't know how to cope without relying on me. And that is interesting. I wonder if there's some mental health stuff going on right now because, like, what did she do before you? And maybe there's, you know, some issues that need to be addressed through therapy.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
It is really interesting. She's always been a bit scattered, but it does feel like it's gotten worse recently. It's tough to figure out how to help her manage things when she's at home all day and still struggles with everyday tasks. So it sounds like she's a stay at home mom.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And I'm not. I don't, I really don't want this to get taken the wrong way because OP does mention he works. OP also mentions now wife is a stay at home mom. It's interesting that she would just go to Target instead of going to the doctor as a family together. You know what I mean?
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Maybe that's like, maybe that was her alone time as a mom that she needed. And that is totally okay and justifiable, but it is just. I'm curious about it.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And maybe that's a wrong thing to be curious about. I don't know. But it's like if my baby was sick, I'd want to make. I'd want to go. But I also love going to doctor's appointments, so that could be a me thing too. There's a comment here. The chaos affects all of us, especially our son.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
One other comment. Someone does recommend that maybe she needs a job. Maybe she needs a sense of purpose again or something. A job could give her a sense of responsibility and help her learn to handle things on her own. It might help balance out the dynamic at home too.
Lauren
Yeah. I mean, I honestly think that like stay at home parenting or stay at home jobs are not for everyone. Like even me, I have really questioned because I work from home and I just, I don't. I. I just feel healthier when I get out of my place because I'm there so often now that I work from home and it just feels like my brain, like, starts to heal when I actually get outside, when I socialize with people, because I have to, you know, like, there's something about that for me that feels. That feels good even when I don't think I want to do it, but doing it anyway, it feels really good. So I mean, that. That could be some good advice. Like, maybe Op's wife just needs something else going on to. To kind of put herself back in the driver's seat.
Morgan
I think you are spot on with that because I think sometimes, you know, the baby is three, maybe she's just feeling like she's lost herself a bit. You know, we've had posts like that where it's like, I love being a mom, I love being a stay at home parent, but I feel a little lost in my own identity, my own self worth, or, you know, whatever else you could throw in there. And maybe that is it. Maybe she does need to get back in the driver's seat, like you're saying. I think that's. I think there's something to that. A lot of comments from op. I will be sure to post the link for this one because I can't even get through them. There is more of an explanation on the oat milk situation. OP says something about, like, I thought we were a team, but it feels like I'm more doing it all. She called me while I was at work freaking out about the grocery store being out of her favorite oat milk. It wasn't just a simple call. It was like the world was ending. She was insisting that I needed to help her find it. And when I suggested she try another brand or go to a different store, she acted like that wasn't an option. What's he supposed to do? Go in the back and check the stock? Ask someone at the store. Do you have any more in the back? If not, go to another store?
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
It's so confusing. So confusing. I feel like based on how responsive OP is, I think there could be an update that comes from this one. I could see it. I could see it. I could see it. You know what I mean?
Lauren
Mm. You know what I mean? You know what I mean?
Morgan
Okay, moving along. This is gonna be our last one, Ms. Lohan.
Lauren
Okay.
Morgan
Would you like a choice on it?
Lauren
Oh, you're putting me in a tough spot, but kind of.
Morgan
Okay, option number one. Am I the asshole for snapping at my wife and calling her crazy because she wants me to take a paternity test for my nephew Juicy, or I Want to ask my male, 34, business partner, female, 31, to be with me romantically? How do I go about changing the context of our relationship?
Lauren
I think we gotta do the first one.
Morgan
Yeah, it was pretty good.
Lauren
Yeah. Unless the second one is like, sneaky, like, wow, it is.
Morgan
But we'll get into it on Patreon. Okay. Okay. This first one. Am I the asshole for snapping at my wife and calling her crazy because she wants me to take a paternity test for my nephew? Throwaway account. For obvious reasons, my wife and I have been married for 10 years and together for 14. We are child free. I also have a nephew who's currently 13, and I'm not going to lie, he looks a lot like me and has a lot of the same facial features as me. I'm really proud of him and we have a close bond. I have played a father like role in his life since he was a kid. He has a deadbeat father and my sister divorced him a long time ago. A couple of my family members have commented on how my nephew looks a lot like me. And while I initially thought it was wholesome, my wife for some reason became very insecure and started getting doubts. She was questioning why I needed to play such a prominent role in my nephew's life, why my nephew had autism, et cetera. The insinuations just became weird and made me uncomfortable.
Lauren
Wow. Insinuating that the nephew has autism because it's a brother and sister. Is that. Is that what she's getting at?
Morgan
I don't know, but wow. One could assume a lot of things.
Lauren
Okay.
Morgan
I do agree that my sister has played some part in my wife's insecurities because of her dry humor during family gatherings, my sister jokes a lot about how wholesome it is that her son looks like me and that she couldn't be happier. It's obviously a joke, but I spoke to my sister and asked if she could tone it down a bit because it was making my wife a bit crazy. However, last night, my wife asked if I could take a paternity test just for her peace of mind. That's when I finally snapped and called her crazy and that marrying her was the biggest mistake of my life. I did immediately regret saying it because I meant none of it. My wife is the love of my life. But my wife got quiet and started crying shortly after and I had to console her. Was I the asshole?
Lauren
Oh my gosh.
Morgan
Oh, I want you to go first. Well, we were doing really well, right? We were doing really well. I mean, it Was all going great, fine and dandy. And I was going to say, not the asshole. Until he popped off a bit.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And said marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life.
Lauren
Well, it honestly makes him sound guilty.
Morgan
I mean, you can call her crazy. Is it nice? Maybe not. But is she acting a little unhinged? Yes.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
So I understand that. But, like, to be like, you're so upset that she's asking for a paternity test, which I. I do understand offensive. She doesn't trust you. There's a lot of implications there. But you couldn't be like, babe, you are being so crazy. You're being unhinged. I wouldn't sleep with my sister. And so the reaction does kind of like. It's like, well, why are you getting so defensive and so defensive to the point you said marrying me is the biggest regret of your life.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
That's weird.
Lauren
Right?
Morgan
And also very hurtful. Yeah. You're kind of the asshole now for how you said that.
Lauren
Right. No, I know. Because, like, if you were to tell me that he said, if he popped off and was like, you. Like, that is absolutely crazy. That is so hurtful that you would. And disgusting that you would assume or ask like, whatever. But. Mary, sorry. Sorry.
Morgan
But.
Lauren
But saying that marrying you was the biggest mistake of my life just. It feels like it went from, like. I mean, I shouldn't say zero to 100 because, like, maybe 45. Yeah.
Morgan
To 100. The action doesn't. What's that? What's that? Like? What's that? Like fucking Albert Einstein. Not. Oh, my God, No, Sir Isaac Newton. Every action has an equal but opposite reaction. His reaction, I'm trying to, like, determine in my own head right now. Does his reaction. Is it justified based on her action? You know what I mean?
Lauren
Well, because, I mean, I guess. How would you react if Justin were to ask this of you about your brother and your nephew?
Morgan
I'd be like, you act. What? You're disgusting. You think I would sleep with my brother? And it's like, well, of course they look alike. Like, the brother and sister. They're siblings.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
So they share some DNA.
Lauren
Like. But would you. Would you say that? Could you see yourself being so pissed off, like, if. If Justin kept making, like, little jabs throughout the entire time, and then could you see yourself, like, getting to the point where that was your last straw and you say something really mean? Because that's the only thing that, like.
Morgan
I mean, maybe of.
Lauren
I mean, are you the asshole? Yes, you're the asshole for saying that, like, Specifically, if you didn't mean it, then you should definitely apologize. But you're still in the right to be offended and hurt by this insinuation.
Morgan
Yeah, this might be in. Everyone sucks here. Yeah, like everyone sucks. The wife sucks. Like you've been married for 10 years, together for 14, and you're making this a thing now? What? And then use the dude sucks for his reaction. Like that was way. That was. That was really unhinged as well.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Top comment. Your wife's new homework is punnett squares. Someone goes, for real. My nephew looks exactly like me. And I never even considered this happening. I'm not married, but if I had a wife that was like, quote, prove to me you didn't fuck your sister, I'd be mortified. Maybe unrecoverable. So my sister and I look a lot like our cousins, my father's older brother's kids, to the point that people in the past said the four of us look like sisters. We've also been told we look a lot like our fathers. If some family member or anyone had suggested something like this, we all would have laughed super hard. Especially given that when all the cousins were conceived, my father and his brother lived more than a thousand miles from each other. Some people don't understand how hard genetics go. And that's the thing, like I was saying, like their brother and sister, of course there's a chance he could look like his uncle. They share DNA. Do.
Lauren
I'm sorry, did they, do they have a child together?
Morgan
No, they're child free.
Lauren
So it's making me almost wonder if they're some of like the issues that are going through the wife's head are just seeing him be a father figure for another like family.
Morgan
She's jealous. Maybe.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And even though that was a, like a very clear decision on their part.
Lauren
Right? Yeah. And.
Morgan
Or like maybe not. We don't know.
Lauren
Yeah. Who knows? But just maybe it's like her mind is like playing tricks on her because she's seen him be this father figure. But it's not. But she's not necessarily involved or as involved and maybe that's kind of making.
Morgan
Her have these like crazy irrational thoughts.
Lauren
Thoughts.
Morgan
Yeah, I know. And I guess like if you had this thought or like even if you didn't have this thought, but all the time family members were like pointing it out, like, hey, oh my God, he looks just like you. He just looks like he looks identical to your husband. Oh my God, he looks. And it's again and again over the course of 10, 13 years. However long it is. Like, maybe you do get in your own head and be like, am I so stupid? Am I missing something? And then you ask him to just do a DNA test, a paternity test, to give you some peace of mind. And then he flips out over it and says, you're the biggest regret of my life marrying you. Yeah. You're kind of like, why do you react that way? Yeah, maybe it is true. Oh, so it's tough.
Lauren
Yeah. Yeah. I mean, you don't know what she's going through. And, like, again, it's. It's such a complicated thing because that question is high, like, highly offensive.
Morgan
It's so bad.
Lauren
It's so offensive. But it's like, I. We don't know how much, like, mental twists and turns she's been putting herself.
Morgan
Through over the course of this many years.
Lauren
Right. So it's just kind of an interesting. It's an interesting. I mean, she could have literally listened to this podcast and come across, like a brother and sister type of story on how. Or just. Yeah.
Morgan
So it happens.
Lauren
Who knows what she's going through? I'm curious to hear updates and, like, how they kind of resolve this, because it sounds like the thing that's good is that he turned around and was, like, consoling her after he snapped and said this, like, really, you know, painful thing. He was in a lot of pain from what she said to him. So it sounds like they. There's a lot of, like, love, but there's just some type of disconnect. And I'd be curious to see, like, how they are planning to work through that.
Morgan
Yeah. Do you think your opinion would change if the genders were switched and it was the husband going to a wife being like, hey, can you get a paternity test to make sure you didn't fuck your brother? Do you think your opinion would be different at all? Because I'm trying to think. I don't know if mine would.
Lauren
I feel like it's kind of the same concept. I mean, because I. I'm. When I'm, like, answering, I'm putting myself. I'm trying to put myself in the husband's shoes and in the wife's shoes, like. Like, regardless of their gender. I'm trying to think of, if I was in that situation, how I would feel on both ends. So to me, I don't think that my opinion would change if gender was switched.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
Do you think it would?
Morgan
I don't think so. Because I'm sitting here and I'm like, is it offensive to ask for a paternity test after such a long committed relationship. Yeah, it's not the nicest feeling thing, I'm sure. But then, like, if I had a reaction like that and said, I regret marrying you, it's like, that's also really hurtful. So, no, I don't. I don't think it would switch. But you mentioned wanting an update. We do have one.
Lauren
Let's hear it.
Morgan
The gist of it is that I've agreed to take the test, but under certain conditions.
Lauren
Oh, wow.
Morgan
I understand my wife is being paranoid and delusional, but I want to take the test just to erase whatever irrational fears she has. Sometimes these fears have no logic. And I too have had irrational fears before, and there was no logic in them. I spoke to my sister about it today, and she was obviously pretty angry at my wife. However, my sister and I discussed it at length and she agreed to the test under certain conditions. I spoke to my wife after and told her I would take the test under some conditions. My wife was very happy that I agreed to take the test, and then I told her those conditions. The first condition being that she had to stop these insinuations immediately. My wife immediately agreed to it. The second condition being that there were going to be no more arguments on me spending time with my sister and nephew. My wife and I have had some arguments over the years where she asked why I spend so much time at their house. My wife agreed to the condition, although she took some time to think about it. The third and final condition was that I had the liberty to go on vacations with my sister and nephew without my wife being there. I told my wife up front that my sister doesn't want her to come on these vacations anymore. My wife was a bit more hesitant on this, but she ultimately agreed to it.
Lauren
Wait, why doesn't she want her to come anymore?
Morgan
The wife or the sister's probably just so hurt. Yeah, like you're implying that I would sleep with my brother.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
And you're so paranoid you're making us all do eternity test.
Lauren
I understand that, but just like to make that an agreement, like, for good.
Morgan
It's interesting.
Lauren
It is. Like, specifically vacations. Like, you would think she'd be like, you're not allowed to see my nephew anymore, but, like, being like, you don't get to go to Florida with us.
Morgan
Well, and then there's almost the question of, like, maybe the wife's feelings aren't so out of the blue because maybe he has been stepping in like, A surrogate partner. Maybe she has had her needs. Neglected is a weird condition versus, like, I don't want to be around her anymore.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And like, oh, hey, we're going to take you on our happy family vacations. And she can't come.
Lauren
Right.
Morgan
It is interesting.
Lauren
Unless they've had issues on those vacations and she's like, I'm done with dealing with that. But it's. It's an interesting one. Okay, let's hear it.
Morgan
That's probably my final update. Oh, thanks everyone for the advice.
Lauren
Well, is the kid not yours?
Morgan
So there is a comment. Lol. Dude, it's not going to matter what the test says. Your wife has an irrational delusion in her head and will go through whatever mental gymnastics she needs to justify it. The test is not going to help. If anything, it's going to get worse, especially based on those conditions you set. OP responds, I told my sister this, but if this doesn't work, I'm going to look into divorce.
Lauren
Wow.
Morgan
And that's all she wrote. Someone replies to that comment, save the money from the DNA test and just spend it on the lawyers. Your wife thinks you are incestual, and on top of that, you don't practice safe incest. I don't know how you move past that.
Lauren
Yeah, I mean, that's. That's fair. But I. I like that OP is being empathetic and saying, I've had irrational fears that have come from nowhere. And I, you know, I get it. Yeah. So I like that he's being empathetic, but if the problem doesn't solve after this test, then that's an issue.
Morgan
Yeah. I mean, there's options like therapy, but you kind of just, you know, she really did throw a wrench in their lives. And that accusation and that demand that we can't move forward with our lives without this test is. I mean, it's. It's goofy. It just. Yeah. I don't think there is really coming back. It sounds like she really does need to address her mental health.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
But again, if he's acting like a surrogate partner and neglecting you and your family and, you know, you get all these comments. You know, two plus two starts equal four.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And then sometimes people tell you two plus two actually equals five, and if you hear it enough times, you start to believe it.
Lauren
Where is this coming from?
Morgan
I don't know.
Lauren
Okay.
Morgan
Just off the cuff.
Lauren
I actually know of somebody who had her partner's family ask her to do a paternity test, and she said, I will do that. But if I do the paternity test, then you are not allowed to have access to my child. And so then they said, do not do the paternity test.
Morgan
Psych. Just kidding. It is interesting. It is interesting. It's crazy how wild people get with paternity and stuff. And it's like. I mean, even, like, my own family, there was. There was some issues with it with me and my dad, you know, taking me on and just being like, nope, that's my daughter. That's my daughter. And, you know, there has been times where certain family members have been like, well, you're not. You're not really Grandma's granddaughter. Because I wasn't looked at as real family. And it's so. You know, people get goofy, and it's just. That's so weird. Family's family. If you got good ones, hold them close. I don't know.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
I'm a little perplexed with this one, and I do want another update.
Lauren
I know.
Morgan
How'd it go? You know. Are you getting divorced? She believe you now that you got the evidence? Can you imagine if Tess came back?
Lauren
Oh, my God.
Morgan
You are the father.
Lauren
Oh, my God. I. I just think that we should change as a species, and the men and women should get pregnant at the same time. So. Men also. There's no question. It's like, no, my partner's also pregnant.
Morgan
I would love for Justin to have a sympathetic pregnancy. You don't have to go through birth, but, like. But I go back and forth. I'm like, oh, okay. I would do one. You know, if it happens and I get pregnant, I'll do one. But then other days, I'm like, I don't want to do it. I don't want to do it.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
And it's just people that go through childbirth, they all deserve trophies. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I'm gonna start making medals. I see a baby in public, I'm gonna give it to the mom. Job. No, I'll get canceled for that.
Lauren
It just seems like.
Morgan
So It's. It seems like it's crazy.
Lauren
It's such a big sacrifice. I mean, you're. You're pregnant for almost a year, and then you're changing diapers for two years.
Morgan
We were just talking about this.
Lauren
Yeah, it's just. It's definitely a big sacrifice.
Morgan
It's for life. Yeah. It's not, you know, just the first 18 years. It's for life. It's a big thing.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
Today I'm like, I Don't know if I want kids tomorrow. I'll be like, I want 10 of them.
Lauren
Yeah.
Morgan
No, no. We all got to fit in one car.
Lauren
Basketball team.
Morgan
Three tops. Three tops. Then, oh, my God. I saw the craziest video of a woman who just gave birth to triplets. Her stomach.
Lauren
Oh, I think I saw that. What? It looks like one of those, like. It looks like one of those black, like, bullet emojis.
Morgan
It was the most insane bump I've ever seen.
Lauren
Maybe it's a different one. There was a one that I saw where it goes, like, straight out like this.
Morgan
Yeah.
Lauren
Like a tube.
Morgan
It looked like she had, like. Yeah, yeah.
Lauren
I can't think of, like, the. What I'm trying to explain it as.
Morgan
So in ot, we used these things called peanut bolsters, and they're in a shape of just like a big. Like a giant jelly bean. It literally looked like she had a ginormous jelly bean coming off her.
Lauren
Okay, that's a good. That's a better example. Yeah.
Morgan
And everyone in the comments was like, where's the girl with the list? I mean, it's a girl with a list. I want to introduce you the girl with the list who. She's just got a ginormous list going of all these reasons to, like, not be pregnant.
Lauren
Oh, it's nuts. Okay. I have heard of that.
Morgan
Yeah. But we got a little deviated here. We had to record some Patreon, so thank you guys, so, so, so much for being here. October's been great. Loved it. We're back on tour. Come see us at some of our final shows.
Lauren
Oh, I'm probably not going to have a Halloween one. This.
Morgan
You were saved, Lauren.
Lauren
Oh, I like the Halloween ones. Well, no, you.
Morgan
Yes, I do.
Lauren
There's. They're like my favorite ones when they're not too scary.
Morgan
She's lying. But anyways, thank you so, so, so much for being here. If you want more Patreon, I probably already said it, but until next time.
Lauren
Until next time.
Morgan
Bye.
C
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Podcast Summary: Two Hot Takes – Episode 189: "Popped Off Big.."
Release Date: October 31, 2024
Hosts: Morgan Absher and Lauren
Podcast: Two Hot Takes
Description: Morgan Absher and her co-host Lauren explore the hottest and most controversial topics from Reddit, listener write-ins, and across the internet, delivering their unfiltered opinions on dating, relationships, life, and AITA stories.
[00:00 – 05:07]
Morgan kicks off the episode by sharing updates about the podcast’s current partnerships, expressing excitement about upcoming live shows, and reflecting on the impactful stories from the recent spooky season. She highlights the sense of community fostered by listener interactions, including heartfelt stories on Patreon where listeners have shared life-changing experiences inspired by the podcast.
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "I really just love this community, and it's a magical little thing." [10:35]
[06:02 – 11:37]
Morgan reads a touching listener story titled, "How Going to a THT Live Show Was the Best Decision of my life." A 27-year-old woman recounts how attending a live show led her to meet her now fiancé. Their connection blossomed from that magical evening, culminating in a marriage proposal over a hot air balloon ride in Italy. Morgan and Lauren discuss the profound impact the podcast has on its listeners, emphasizing the community’s strength and the personal connections formed through shared experiences.
Notable Quote:
Listener: "Our encounter was nothing short of magical, and it was all thanks to the amazing atmosphere you created." [10:35]
Morgan: "I'm so grateful each and every day for all of you that listen and support the show." [10:35]
[12:49 – 24:57]
The hosts delve into an intense AITA post titled, "Am I the Asshole for Throwing Out My Sister's Organ." Morgan narrates the story of a woman who discarded her sister’s preserved placenta due to her husband’s discomfort and hygiene concerns. Despite offering apologies and compensations, the sister deems her actions disrespectful and ostracizes her from family events.
Discussion Highlights:
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "Your sister agreed to do this, now you've thrown it out. That's disrespectful." [16:07]
Lauren: "If somebody threw out something that was very important to me... the lack of empathy is the problem." [16:45]
[28:58 – 41:42]
Morgan introduces a compelling AITA post, "Am I the asshole for needing more time to sort out how I feel about the babysitter erasing a love note from my late husband." A grieving mother discovers her long-term babysitter has deliberately erased heartfelt notes left by her deceased husband, leading to deep emotional turmoil and strained familial relationships.
Discussion Highlights:
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "There's no way she was just being forgetful. This was intentional." [38:37]
Lauren: "You're not the asshole if you don’t want to have someone work for you anymore." [30:18]
[68:00 – 77:31]
The episode covers another AITA post, "Am I the asshole for making my daughter pay back a thousand dollars dress she was supposed to wear in a wedding." A 32-year-old father faces backlash after his 16-year-old daughter withdraws from being a bridesmaid, leading him to demand repayment for the expensive dress.
Discussion Highlights:
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "You inserted yourself. Now you're a part of it. Who cares what you're in?" [73:03]
Lauren: "It's time for her to fix it on her own, and that's okay too." [74:18]
[82:00 – 107:39]
Morgan presents a dramatic AITA story, "Am I the asshole for snapping at my wife and calling her crazy because she wants me to take a paternity test for my nephew Juicy." A married man reacts harshly when his wife questions the biological relationship between him and his nephew, leading to a heated confrontation and emotional fallout.
Discussion Highlights:
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "You're the asshole now for how you said that." [98:31]
Lauren: "You need to set a boundary at some point." [84:42]
Update:
The husband agrees to take the paternity test under specific conditions aimed at resolving the insecurities and setting boundaries, though tensions remain high. The situation points to deeper underlying trust and mental health issues that require professional intervention.
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "If this doesn't work, I'm going to look into divorce." [108:06]
Lauren: "It's a complicated thing because that question is highly offensive." [103:15]
[87:01 – 114:26]
The episode intertwines into sponsored content promoting products like Lume Deodorant, Skims, and others. Morgan shares personal anecdotes related to the products, adding a relatable touch to the advertisements.
Notable Quote:
Morgan: "Lume deodorant... clinically proven to last up to 72 hours." [72:24]
Morgan and Lauren wrap up the episode by reflecting on the discussed stories, emphasizing the importance of empathy, setting boundaries, and understanding the complexities of human relationships. They encourage listeners to engage with the podcast's community through live shows and Patreon for exclusive content.
Notable Quote:
Lauren: "Doing things on your own is very good for you." [84:56]
Morgan: "Thank you so much for being here and enjoy the episode." [05:07]
Connect with Two Hot Takes:
This episode of Two Hot Takes dives deep into emotionally charged AITA stories, offering listeners not only drama and hot takes but also insightful discussions on relationship dynamics, personal boundaries, and the impact of community support. Morgan and Lauren’s candid conversations provide valuable perspectives, making this episode a compelling listen for anyone interested in the complexities of human interactions.