Reddit Stories - ESCAPED from my CONSERVATIVE parents who were eager to arrange my MARRIAGE. I

Episode Date: May 14, 2026

#redditstories #askreddit #aita #escapefromhome #arrangedmarriage #conservativeparents #freedom #selfdiscoverySummary: A young individual recounts their journey of escaping from conservative parents who were determined to arrange their marriage. The narrative explores the struggles faced, the desire for personal freedom, and the importance of self-discovery in a restrictive environment, ultimately highlighting the quest for autonomy and identity.Tags: redditstories, askreddit, reddit, aita, tifu, escapefromhome, arrangedmarriage, conservativeparents, freedom, selfdiscovery, personalgrowth, familydynamics, lifechoices, youngadult, independence, relationshipadvice, mentalhealth, societalpressure, empowerment, storytellingBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/reddit-stories--6816713/support.This episode includes AI-generated content.

I hope you enjoy this story. Escapeed from my conservative parents who were eager to arrange my marriage. I traveled to Africa, forged new friendships, and discovered that I am not biologically related to my father. I'm typing this in a mix of fear and nerves. I am the youngest, 22, of five kids M30, M28, F28, twins, and F-25. My parents are heavily religious and we live in Utah. Growing up, everything had to be done perfectly it didn't matter if it was grades, looks, social activities or even friends.

I'm different from my siblings as I was never interested in the maths and science like they were. I've always been the writer, the painter. I remember once when I was 13, I made a painting of a dove in a snowy field and won first in the competition. I told my parents who got angry that I had wasted my time with something so worthless when I should have been using the time to study. I still had A's in every class. My mother won't even say more than a few words to me. She's always seems like she hates me and I don't understand. Father burned the painting to remind me of what was truly important before taking all of my art supplies until I showed more responsibility with my time. It's been like this as long as I can

remember. I worked full time and have since I was 15 at McDonald's dashing every bit of money I could. father took half my checks as tithing to help teach me what being an adult was like. I applied to several colleges but was told by my parents that they would not be helping me with tuition as they did for my siblings because they thought sending me to college would just be a waste of money. So I got angry. I am so tired of being the black sheep just because I like the arts more than maths and science. And then, I heard them talking when I got up in the middle of the night about the perfect man they'd found who was willing to take me in. through our church. I am terrified, and so I'm leaving. I've got some money saved up, a good amount,

and I'm leaving the country. I found a job that lets me work remote doing freelance design work and I've had my passport since I was a kid because of our family vacations overseas. I'm taking nothing other than a change of clothes, my laptop and important documents I took out of my father's office. I booked a flight that leaves in five hours and I'm never coming back. I'm not even going to take my phone. I'm not even going to take my phone since I'd need to get a new number anyway. My best friend, God bless her, had been the one booking things and getting everything ready since I couldn't tip off my parents. She's also smuggled some of my more important things I can't take to hold onto for me. She's parking down the street and I'll leave with my smallest suitcase to meet her.

I don't know how they'll take this. I'm terrified they'll find a way to drag me back or track me down. They went to bed over an hour ago, but I'm too anxious to sleep. I don't know if I'll have any updates, but I just hope they don't stop me. Update 1, wow, so much has been happening lately that it's kept my head on a swivel constantly. I'll start with the good part of the update before moving on to the less. Happy Bits So, I was advised to remove the location destination from my post, so all I will say is that I'm in South Africa right now and it's amazing. The food is astonishing and a poster here messaged me to recommend that I try Bunny Chow

which is actual authentic curry in a bread bowl, it was phenomenal. I got to chatting with one of the hotel staff, she's about my age and we really hit it off. She went with me to a local shopping center to get some new and better clothes. At least I'm used to wearing dresses, so that doesn't phase me and they're very lightweight and breathable unlike a lot of U.S. dress fabrics. She also told me to always shake out my shoes every morning just in case.

I've started apartment hunting, and it's well within my budget. like super low compared to how sky high it is in the U.S. It's honestly jaw-dropping, like $81 for a studio apartment with a loft and kitchenette. So yeah, housing won't be an issue, and it is a bit odd to be house. Shopping? For myself when I've always lived with my parents. Now on to the less pleasant bits. I finally opened the emails, deciding it was best to probably get it over with.

My father's email was filled with anger, there is no other way to put it. He said that by taking off irresponsibly like I did cost them the friendship of someone they'd planned on introducing to me. He never admitted that it was the 53-year-old they basically sold me to. Father stated that because of the social relations that had been damaged and impacted by my actions, I owe them approximately $85,000 in reparations. He also claims that he will be taking me to court if I don't pay it in full within 30 days and return home as I obviously cannot be trusted. I plan to ignore that as I believe him to be bluffing. He ended his email slash rant with you belong to me, and I won't tolerate such defiance when we've

put a roof over your head and taken care of you for your entire life. You were never the child we expected. It's time you make up for your deficiencies. I expect you home within the next two weeks. Yeah. No. My siblings were basically copies of my father's email, admonishing me for throwing the efforts of our parents in their faces before running off like a coward unwilling to face the fallout of my actions. I skimmed them honestly, before just deleting them. It's nothing I didn't expect. However, my sister-in-law, she's married to my eldest brother, sent her own email before asking me not to reply as she would be deleting every sign she sent it from her end. She congratulated me on stepping out on my own and getting away from my parents

and their demands. She said that she herself hadn't been strong-willed enough to stand up to her parents when they basically betrothed her to my brother, which makes sense as I remember that they met and then married within six months, and even then I thought that was a bit strange. She pleaded with me not to return and not to reply. That was it. It was a bit unnerving honestly, as I do believe her, and I'm sad that she is stuck the way she is. The last email was from my best friend. She said that the morning after I flew out, my parents had been on their doorstep demanding to see me. Apparently they believed I was hiding with her. They refused to leave, screaming for me to stop pretending I wasn't there. It caused enough of a scene that the police were called, but they only

talked to my parents briefly and let them leave. It really angered my friend, who'd wanted them arrested for threats and trespassing. The police only claimed that there wasn't a pattern of behavior that would warrant them being arrested and charged before just leaving. She didn't know when they realized I wasn't there at her house, but they didn't come back, thankfully. However, word has spread of me fleeing the safety of my parents' home and how they wanted me to return as they were concerned and fearful of what may happen with me out on the streets alone. The church ward has actually done searches of the area trying to find me.

I don't know what they'll do from here, but they have no idea I left the country, let alone the state. My friend has no plans to say anything, and neither do I. As far as I'm concerned right now, they can live with that state of wondering for the rest of eternity. I don't think I will renounce my U.S. citizenship, as there may come a day when I need it and it's better to be safe than sorry. But I have full plans to gain dual citizenship as soon as I am able to. That's it for now, no other parts yet, but if anything changes I'll let you know. I want to thank you all for your comments and private messages. It feels like I've got friends and family on my side and I cannot tell you how much that means

to me, truly, thank you, all of you. Update 2, so much advice and support from everyone, I cannot thank you all enough. I thought with all the comments and questions I thought I'd answer here and explain what's happened since my last post. Ironically, my use of maths instead of just math comes from my mother who was British and met my father in England when they were 22. So I do come by it naturally and my siblings say it that way as well. People questioning why I chose South Africa and Johannesburg of all places because of how dangerous it can be. I do understand the risks, but there is nowhere on this planet that is inherently danger-free. Africa is massive and incredibly diverse, finding someone would be very

difficult and because those videos got so much attention I have left Johannesburg sadly. I'm very far though obviously still in Africa. The area I'm in now is incredibly safe and came highly recommended by several people. Settling here will be very comfortable and the people are wonderful. I may even attend the university here and get a degree. I haven't replied to the emails, but I have saved them and printed copies and laminating them just in case. I will not be renouncing my US citizenship and my passport is good for another eight years.

I don't hate religion, regardless of what it is. In my eyes, a person's relationship with God is incredibly personal. If a person connects with them via camping or walks, long drives listening to music, acts of service, that's their choice and it's just as valid in my opinion as sitting in a pew is. Possibly more as they're at honest with themselves instead of just putting on a false facade for the public eye. I plan on ignoring any further emails from my family, other than printing them out just in case. They've made several phone calls to my friend who said fun with them. The first time your father called yelling that I hand you over I pretended to be cowed and gave him your location, it took him to a strip club.

He came back screaming at how I had embarrassed him, I just hung up on him honestly. She did that each time they called, giving a different location each time. Her favorite was sending my parents to a nudist retreat. My mother passed out apparently. My friend is looking to move and eventually plans to join me but will jump around a bit so that they don't follow her to me. I did finally read my uncle's email, but it was just a copy of my father's with the added comment that he and his fellow cops would be looking for me to bring me home safe before I got myself in trouble and hurt. I am being watchful, and I know better

than to wander into dark alleyways and abandoned places. That's all I've got for now, if anything changes I'll let you all know. It's heartwarming seeing and reading how many people are on my side and in my corner. I've actually begun printing out of the way. I've actually begun printing out everyone's messages and comments to put in a binder I can look back on later. Truly, thank you all, I mean it. Edit. On being forced to marry even though OOP is an adult, op, pressure via local church wards, it is easier to move on when I don't have them standing over me forcing their choices in place of my own. I honestly don't know if I'd be strong-willed enough to stand up to my father in person just yet. Maybe one day in the future when I know who I'm outside of what I've been

forced to be. Update 3, hello everyone. It's been a while since my last update and a few things have happened that I was told by my friend that I needed to share since everyone was still clearly rooting for me. I have settled in a bit here and am now enjoying the fun of paperwork. Oh, so much paperwork. I have secured an apartment, and while it's two bedrooms, one is for my friend when she comes to join me. I've made a few acquaintances here locally and am beginning to stand on my own a bit. My biggest challenge has been dealing with feeling uncomfortable because I don't know all of those unspoken rules the way I did in the U.S. As such, I'm constantly second-guessing myself but hopefully that will fade with time. So, family. My family has learned I left the state,

how they did, I'm not sure. They do, however, seem convinced that I am still in the continental U.S. My friend works as a cartoonist, and while she doesn't make a large amount of money, she makes more than enough to live comfortably. She's getting ready to leave herself and decided to send my parents a farewell gift. She didn't tell me about this until just a little bit ago. She spent a few hours carefully drawing my parents as they visited each location she sent them to, including their reactions and all scenes were ended with the phrase a bit, a bit, a bit that's all folks. Sadly, while I've never seen Looney Tunes,

As she named it, she said she portrayed my dad as similar to a coyote. I'm still not a 100% sure what that means, but she said everyone else would. Before then ordering me to watch it. Maybe one day. She should be joining me around October 9th, after country hopping several times. All the things she hasn't sold are in a secured storage unit, including the things she's been holding for me. The biggest revelation came after my father. Well, he had a meltdown apparently after I never responded to him. He got into a fight with my mother in church, and many things were said.

Among those, according to several that my mother had cheated on my father, which, well, led to me, which is why she never liked me, I guess, as I just reminded her of her mistakes. My father took her back in spite of that, but well, there it is. It caused a big stir in the ward, and meetings were held, though I obviously don't know what was said or done. I may never know honestly. I am trying to move on and am even contemplating getting a tattoo. Part of me really wants to, while another points out that if I, change enough and father finds me,

he won't want me then. That's all really for now. I'm not sure if I'll have anything else to share, but if anything happens I'll let you all know. Thank you for all the messages and comments. I do read them all. And it means more than you'll ever know. Update 4. Hello everyone.

Sorry this update has taken so long. Once my friend arrived, things got really hectic. She's been settling in well, and it has been a huge relief to have her here with me, as it gives me a sense of security that I didn't really have before. We've been taking time to build new routines, finding a new normal I guess that works for us both. It's been a challenge, but at the same time, everything has been so different one day to the next that it's kept the days from seeming boring or blurring together. One of the elderly neighbors I've been talking to a lot since I moved here has also invited the both of us to spend Christmas with her and her family.

They're going to have a goad as the main meet, which is different, but I'm excited to try. It's odd to not see Christmas trees everywhere, but that's still a new thing so it's not common here. But her granddaughter is teaching my friend and I some of the dances will be doing, as Christmas celebrations here are more like a festive party and gathering rather than a slow day spent with its odd, as even in my family we'd only ever be given three gifts. One for our body, one for the mind and the last for the soul to honor the Trinity according to my parents. Last year I think I received a new Sunday dress, a set of physics textbooks and a new log journal for my scripture reading. After gift openings we'd each retreat to our rooms and remain there until dinner was ready usually made by mother and myself. Yet here, they're planning on doing our hair, having dances and music with food and laughter.

Gifts are still given obviously but the day is spent more with those around you than on material things. I'm excited. I've decided to ignore my family for now. I've gotten a lot of questions on why I didn't report them or confront them and the answer is easy and may seem a bit childish, but the thought of facing them like that terrifies me. I just, I don't want to be around them, talk to them or think about them. I'm genuinely scared that trying to bring justice will only drag me right back into the mess

I ran from. I'm 22 and yet I'm terrified of my own family. So that's why I'm not doing anything to them, I just want to pretend, even if only for a bit that my life isn't messed up and freakish, if that makes any sense at all. I don't know where I will be a year from now, but somehow, the thought doesn't worry me. I'm, I'm happy, genuinely happy, and excited to see where things will go from here. Thank you everyone. Really, I mean it.

Looking back, it's mind-blowing how things have changed, and there is still so much I get to do. I know there are people here from all over the world. I'd love to hear your holiday traditions I don't care if it's not Christmas. I just love to hear what you do this time of year and your traditions. I'm trying to figure out my new normal and what I like so I'd love any suggestions be it food, music, dances, anything really. Next story. Ex-boyfriend kicked me out when I got pregnant, then showed up with baby gifts two months after I me carried and his mom called me a liar. So my 26M, ex-boyfriend and I, 22F, were dating for about three years until I found out I was

pregnant. That's when he decided things are moving too fast. I don't want this to make a long story short he wound up kicking me out of our apartment. I moved in with my mom and blocked him on everything and I started contemplating abortion. I was just thinking to myself why bring a child into a broken homeique. Why would I want my firstborn to have a father that never wanted them? But when it came down to going through with it, I just couldn't, I'd quite, I can't explain the feeling I had, but I decided I'd keep it. This all happened in May. However, on June 11th I miscarried. I don't want to get into the details of the miscarriage, but I had an ectopic pregnancy.

When this happened I did consider calling my ex to let him know but I was afraid of the response because I knew it would be along the lines of bullet well dodged so I just didn't. My thought process was he didn't want it anyway, why would he care? I stayed with my goddess of a mom and she helped me through everything because she said miscarriages as well and knew everything I was feeling I love her. Fasting forward to two days ago I got a call from an unknown number, I didn't pick it up. But it called two more times and then stopped. I didn't think it was him, but I never pick up unknown calls.

Last night the number texted me, hey, it's XBF name, can we talk? I didn't text back and this morning he showed up at my mom's home when I wasn't there. I texted him back and said, yeah, we can talk, but don't just show up to my mom's house call or text before you do. We set up a meeting and when I came he had a gift bag. This is the convo summed up, him, why you look great you won't even look pregnant. Me, I'm not anymore him. T.F. do you mean? Did you get an abortion without telling? Me, nope, I miscarried him, and you didn't think to tell me me, no, why would you care him? Because that's my effing kid to me, you didn't want him. I do, that's why I came to see you,

but whatever F you he left me with a gift bag and it was baby stuff. I felt really bad. I'm assuming he told his mother because she called me going off about how bad of a person I have to be from hiding this and she also insinuated that I'm lying and aborting it. Rubbed salt in the wound. I'm hesitant to tell my mom cause Lord knows she'll fight that old lady for talking to me crazy and I don't want any extra drama. But I do feel bad because having a baby is a big deal and not everyone is ready for it at first so my thoughts are everywhere all at once. So does anyone here have any opinions am I wrong or was I valid in how I felt? and edit, thank you to everyone giving me their condolences it means a lot to know that I'm valid and how I feel. I will be telling my mom as many of you said and I will donate the baby items.

I appreciate everyone trying to help but please stop commenting by saying be glad the baby is in heaven and you're not tied to them or anything else it's really insensitive especially since my fertility as a whole is at risk with what happened. Idkif I'll update but I might if anything else happens. Update, July 3, 2024. Thank you so much to everyone who gave advice good or bad. It helped me balance how I was feeling it meant a lot. I also took almost all of the advice I received. Starting with my mom, I told her about the phone call I received from my ex's mom, who for the sake of confusion I'll just call

Sarah, and I showed her the post. I did ask my mom to not say anything back, but in her words it's best to not bow down to people like Sarah, when you let them get away with talking crazy once they're going to do it again. I really didn't want to talk to Sarah or my ex, so I just let my mom do it. It gets childish to have my mom fight my battles, but I can't take any more stress right now. My mom understood and texted Sarah. This is the message, sorry if it's hard to read I had to try and take out or change the names. Hi, Sarah, this is, my name's mom. I was just made aware that you made a call to my daughter, called her a liar, and accused her of secretly getting an abortion. First, I want to say that this situation is none of your business, and as a mother,

you should know better than to slander a woman who has just lost her child. You of all people should be the last person calling others evil considering the son you have raised. Were you aware that when, my name, found out she was pregnant your son decided three years was too soon for commitment and told her to leave their apartment, or do you just not care? We don't owe you an explanation about, my name's, pregnancy, but I will give you that courtesy and send those hospital reports, but once I do, if you continue to disrespect us, my son and I will be seeing you and yours I can promise you that.

I thought this message would be the end of it because hours went by without any word. They can't reach me because I blocked them but my mom was waiting for a reply back. Until again my ex showed up unannounced with his mom this time, which really pissed my mom off, rightfully so. Sarah said they just wanted to have an adult conversation but my mom told them to leave and come later because we were busy. This was a lie she wanted to wait until my brother got home, just in case. When they came back, Sarah surprisingly made my ex apologize. She was apparently told a way different story. She was told that when we found out I was pregnant that my ex was

really excited and I was the one who didn't want a child. When he told me that abortion was out of the question I flipped out, left the apartment, and blocked him on everything. Then I contacted him months afterwards asking to meet, he thought I had a change of heart, which was why he bought the baby clothes in order to celebrate. The emphasis on abortion in his story is why Sarah believed I lied about the miscarriage. I couldn't help but chuckle at this because what a liar that man is. This must have triggered something in Sarah because she started back up again saying like, but, I still feel you owe my son an apology because you still pretended like you were pregnant knowing it died. You could have at least told him but you let him on.

I had to put the caps on Dye because she did have a condescending tone in her voice and she put so much emphasis on that word it pissed me off but I didn't say anything I just went to my room. Like what happened afterwards I heard everyone yelling at each other but I just tried to drown it out and I can't lie I just cried until I slept LOL. Sorry to the people who wanted to read about a big rumble but this is where we are right now. I wish the rumble happened too she really needs the dentures knocked out of her mouth but I just want to move on now. There is no reasoning with those people. Ending on a good note I found a women's shelter to donate those baby items to and I'm probably going to look for a therapist. Again, thank you to everyone who gave me tips on coping or advice on what to do I didn't expect any more than 10 people to see this LOL. So thanks to everyone who validated how I felt it's great to know you're not the insane one's smile.