My husband (31M) and I (29F) have been married for less than a year, and this past weekend was my sister’s wedding — full “destination wedding but just barely” vibes. It was a whole Friday-to-Monday situation with spa days, outings, family chaos, and at least three kinds of group chat drama.

I thought everything was on track — bags packed, playlists cued, snacks acquired. Then we get in the car and he hits me with: “I think I might pretend to be sick and not go.” Oh? Are we twelve?

To be fair, he didn’t follow through. He came. But I told him straight up in that moment that trying to drop out as we’re pulling out of the driveway was selfish. Because let’s be real — if he stayed home, I’d be left alone for the entire weekend with my unpredictable family, playing PR manager, therapist, and human buffer. And I didn’t sign up for that solo.

He ended up going, but Friday’s vibe? Icy. He was clearly not having a good time. Said he felt excluded — and I do get that. Most of the weekend was gender-divided: the women had spa days, nails, hair, etc., and the guys had a bachelor party night with arcade games, laser tag, and D&D (aka, my husband’s ideal Friday night). But he wasn’t invited to that part.

And yes, I do know why.

My sister and her now-husband are the kind of people who tell white lies like it’s a sport. My husband? Olympic-level honesty. He can’t lie, won’t lie, and doesn’t understand why anyone else would.

Example: my sister once lied (gently!) and said she’d stayed with us for three nights instead of five to spare someone’s feelings. My husband corrected her in front of everyone, thinking he was being helpful. He wasn’t trying to cause drama, but my family definitely treated it like he’d kicked down the door and yelled “LIAR” in all caps.

So yeah, I get why they didn’t want him at every event. But he was still invited to Top Golf and the Monday brunch. It wasn’t full exile — just soft distancing.

He stayed grumpy most of Friday — until dinner, when he looked around mid-meal, leaned over, and said, “Okay… I get it now. Your family is a lot.” And I just said, “Welcome to my world, babe.”

From there, he lightened up. Participated, even made my grandma laugh (which is harder than you’d think). And — thank you to whoever suggested it — he brought me flowers after. He claimed his Reddit post got deleted, but I’m guessing one of you got through to him in time. They were cute. I smirked. We’re fine.

But still — that moment in the car stuck with me. I felt blindsided. Unsupported. A little like he was willing to tap out the second it got uncomfortable. And yeah, I told him it was selfish. I still think it was.

But we survived. No fake flu. No meltdown. No divorce. Just some awkward dinners, passive-aggressive brunch seating, and a husband who now understands why I keep holidays short and sweet.

AITA?