Families can come in all different shapes and forms. Some are as small as two humans and a dog, or a human and five cats (we don’t judge!) while others could be as big as a tribe of 30.
When it comes to this bizarre family secret, we are not sure what’s more upsetting: the number of siblings the grandfather has or the fact that 11 of them were a result of a father having an affair with his son’s girlfriend. We bet family dinners get really awkward for them.
Katie's World
If you would come across Katie Page down the road, you would think that she had everything going for her. She was beautiful and charismatic and looked as if she had no worries to her name. Things, however, weren't quite like that. At nearly thirty years old, she was already divorced, and the path life had taken her wasn't the one she wished for. She was about to turn over a page and start a brand new life.
Katie was very easygoing and willing to accept anything. She was very open-minded and decided to flow wherever life took her. Most of all, she wanted to be a mother. As she had no partner at this stage, she decided to become a foster mom. Little did she know that not only would this make her dream come true, but it would also bring many unexpected surprises.
She Had to Move
Katie lived in a small town in Alabama where everyone knew everyone and everyone knew everything about everyone. This wasn't the right place for her, and she decided to move. She moved to Colorado and knew that this was the beginning of the rest of her life. She was about to make her dreams come true, but how prepared was she for her new reality?
After house-hunting for a while, she finally found her new home. It needed serious renovation. Katie wasn't alarmed as she had great DIY abilities, and besides, what could be better than giving your new home a personal touch? After a few days of renewing and improving, she realized the house was way too big for one single person. She was heartbroken after a difficult divorce, and the last thing she wanted was to feel as lonely as she did.
This Was Not What She Expected
The life she was living wasn't how she imagined her 30s would look like. She would very often break down in tears and she was very unsatisfied with the way things were going. She moved to a new state and into a new home and found it very hard to remain optimistic and believe that good things were on their way. All it took was one email to change things around.
It was one Sunday when she received an email from the church she attended, inviting her to an event that would change her life forever. It was a meeting about foster children and parents. This was her calling. And just like that, something within her changed. Suddenly she was able to see some light in the distance, and although she was a divorcee with a much-too-big house for one person, she had a feeling that things would work out eventually.
Mom to the Rescue
Katie was too tense to go to the meeting alone and she asked her mother to join her. At first, her mother wasn't so keen and didn't understand why her daughter was suddenly interested in fostering. Later on, Katie's mother would come to terms with the fact that her daughter was fully aware of what she was doing, and anyway, she was her mother and wanted to support her no matter what she chose to do.
Katie and her mother both walked into the church, not knowing what to expect. With all that was happening in Katie's life, this introduction to the fostering world was exactly what she needed. She couldn't get her eyes off the presenter, she was taking in all the information that was given and the entire experience was terrifying yet, enlightening and thrilling.
It Wouldn't Leave Her Alone
The thought of fostering a little boy or girl ran through Katie's head day and night. No matter how hard she tried not to think about it, it was haunting her. She felt she couldn't ignore this, however, the thought of being in a new town, in a new house, being a newly single person, and becoming a foster mom on top of all that, was too much to handle.
The days passed and the thoughts of becoming a foster mom only enhanced, and it became clearer for Katie that this is what she wanted to do. She cleared all the bad thoughts in her head and decided to follow her heart. She was now preparing herself to become a positive influence in some lonely child's life, hoping to make a difference and hoping to make a change. Not only to the child's life but also to herself.
What a Mother's Day
Her application for becoming a foster mom was handed in on a very significant date. Katie's application was ready on Mother's Day 2015 and she was more eager than ever. She let life takes its role and the only thing she could do was hope that she had chosen the right path. Katie had no idea how many changes her choices were about to bring with them.
It wasn't long before her application was approved and she became a full-fledged foster mom in no time. She was the happiest she had been in a long time. At first, all sorts of children were sent into her loving arms. Some were more challenging than others. There were children who came from neglected homes and some who came with a bag full of infancy trauma. It wasn't easy.
A Special Need
Every child had its own special needs and everyone needed something else from Katie. She had to learn how to divide her love in the most efficient way. The most astonishing thing that happened was that she suddenly realized that she wanted something more permanent. Her maternal instinct was screaming from within and she couldn't believe what was happening to her.
After having a few children under her wing, Katie felt it was time to shift into the next gear. Life was short, there were many things on her to-do list and the time was right. She wanted a child that she could love forever. She didn't want to get attached to someone and then heartbrokenly, let them go. Soon enough, an opportunity of a lifetime was about to knock on her door.
She Was a Pro
Katie had gained so much experience with the children she fostered, and now all these new skills she had were about to be put to good use. They were about to be put to the test. The local social workers were on the phone. Katie was already caring for one little child when she was asked to take in another newborn baby. This was very challenging but also exciting.
The little newborn baby was abandoned in the hospital just a few days after being born and was in desperate need of love and a stable home. Even if a temporary one. Not only that, the newborn's mother was probably hooked on illegal substances which potentially made the baby a newborn addict. The baby had to go through several checkups before being given the all-clear and permission to leave the hospital. Was Katie up for this?
How Could She Refuse?
Katie couldn't say no. Although she already had a toddler at home, who was a handful in his own right, after hearing the bad start to life this baby was given, her heart couldn't refuse. She knew it was going to be extremely challenging. There was no doubt this was going to be a life changer for her, for the little boy at home, and of course, for the new baby. She also knew who to call for some backup.
Just like Katie, her mother couldn't find it in her heart to refuse and she agreed to move in for a few weeks, just to help out. Before she knew it, Katie found herself with a newborn baby and an extended family. One thing Katie didn't expect was naming the baby. As the baby was abandoned, he wasn't even given a name. She chose Grayson, as he came into her life with the grace of God. If only she would have known that Grayson's former life would soon sneak up and affect their home forever.
Her Full Family
Katie's family seemed to be complete. She had a toddler running around, a newborn baby by her side and her dear mother to help clean up all the mess. Katie was finally content and felt her life had meaning. Over time, the little toddler was moved to a permanent family and Katie was left to bring up Grayson. During all of this time, the local authorities tried to find Grayson's biological family or some other connection to his past.
The only information they had was the biological mother's first name and date of birth. Everyone was doing their best and really going out of their way to find some more information, unaware of what was about to happen. Sooner or later, Katie and the social workers came to terms with the fact that Grayson's mother was nowhere to be found. Perhaps she didn't want to be found. Katie was heartbroken for the baby.
Split in Two
On one hand, she was thrilled that Grayson was still with her as she loved every moment of being with him. However, on the other hand, she was devastated for him. How could anyone abandon such a small precious baby? Why should Grayson deal with rejection at such a young age, and with knowing that his mother didn't want him?
Grayson was not like all the other foster children that came under Katie's roof. He made her a different woman, and for that, she had a great connection with him and she cared for him dearly. Katie needed him just as much as he needed her. She knew deep inside that it was their fate and that she was intended to be Grayson's mother. But how could she make this official?
Officially a Mother
Just before Grayson's first birthday, Katie received the biggest gift of all, and her dream of becoming a mother, and an official one, now came true. It all happened on May 25th, 2017 and Grayson was now Grayson Page. This was a new chapter in life both for Katie and her boy. She was thrilled and Grayson felt loved and secure. Katie felt this was not a good time to welcome any more children and wanted to strengthen the bond with her son. Boy was she wrong.
Katie was full of love to spread around and she could embrace others if needed, however, she wanted to take the time and give all the attention she had to Grayson. Because of his condition following his biological mother's habits, he was fragile. She enveloped herself around him, secured and assured him that she will always be with him no matter what. And then her phone rang.
Here Comes Number Two
There was another child in need. Grayson's adoption papers had bearly gone through and now there was another baby that needed a foster home. It was a little baby girl and the authorities knew Katie was fit for the job. Ironically enough, this little baby girl was suffering from the same symptoms Grayson had when he was born following the habits his biological mother had.
Although Katie wasn't very keen on bringing a new child into her family, she found it very difficult to refuse. She knew that if the authorities were nagging her and pleading for her help, the poor little baby was obviously desperate. She knew what was the right thing to do, but she couldn't stop thinking about the challenges that would come her way having two children under the age of two in her home. Saying all that, she agreed to take the baby in.
It Was No Suprise
Katie knew what to expect. She knew what it meant to have a newborn with the same symptoms Grayson had and she didn't feel threatened or scared. A lot of the baby's behavior was very familiar to her and there was something else that was very familiar too. There was something about this little baby girl that wouldn't leave Katie alone, but she couldn't put her finger on it. A few days later, it finally hit her. It was the baby's birth certificate.
Katie remembered that when she reviewed the baby's papers, the biological mother's name seemed familiar. And it was. It was the same name as on Grayson's certificate. What were the odds that Grayson's birth mother and the little baby girl's mother had the same name? To double-check herself, Katie decided to find Grayson's birth certificate, not knowing that she would discover some more unreal details.
Was It an Innocent Mistake?
At first, Katie thought it was a typo or the ink had smudged but then she realized that there was only one day apart between the mothers' birth dates on both birth certificates. The truth couldn't be clearer. How on earth could this be true? Both children had the same mother. Was this for real? Katie immediately shared her thoughts with a local social worker but she instantly stopped Katie.
Katie wasn't going to just let it go. She found too many similarities between Grayson and the little baby and knew that they were related in some way or another. She was ready for the next step. After days of banging on tables and making phone calls, Katie managed to track down the baby's biological mother. Not only that — the mother agreed to meet with her.
Confession
The birth mother confronted Katie and shared her life story with her. She told her about her disturbing habits, and about her last pregnancy and she also shared a dark secret from the past. She confessed and said that a couple of years back, she left her newborn baby boy in the hospital and disappeared. Katie sat there, not believing what she was hearing. To top it all off, Grayson resembled his birth mom tremendously.
Even after sharing the story with the local social workers, they still weren't convinced and said that the chances of something like this happening were slim. Grayson and the little baby were too much alike and Katie couldn't ignore it. She knew she had to get to the bottom of this and needed the social workers on her side. What happened next would change everything for Katie and everyone around her.
The Social Workers Were in Disbelief
"Katie, I think you're right," the agency said from the other side of the phone. After having a face-to-face meeting with the biological mother, the social worker realized that what Katie had said, was the truth and not a bizarre theory. "Her story breaks my heart, and I can't believe it, but I am 90% sure you're right, and this is a miracle," the social worker said to Katie. It was not long before the social worker rang again, and had more news to share.
Unknowingly, Katie opened her heart and embraced a brother and sister into her home. This was overwhelming and for a moment too much to handle. How mysterious were God's ways? Katie felt blessed. More than that, she was thrilled for the children that although had a rough start to life, were able to be given a stable home, together.
Black on White
Katie had a DNA test done for both siblings, just to clear any speculations. And indeed, it was black on white, Grayson and the new baby girl were brother and sister. Katie knew what she had to do next. Katie felt the same way toward the baby girl as she did when Grayson first arrived at her home. She named the baby Hannah and on December 28th, 2018 she legally adopted her too.
Within no time, Grayson and Hannah became inseparable. Katie was a proud mother of two and felt her life was complete. However, this was not all and there was more to come. The children's birth mother gave inaccurate information on the birth certificates which made it almost impossible for the authorities to track her down. Luckily enough, Katie was determined and followed her strong intuition.
Number Three
When Katie met with the mother, she couldn't help but notice that she was pregnant yet again. What was fate planning for this unborn child? Was it about to be as lucky as its siblings? Just over a year after Hannah was born, Katie was ready to accept a new baby into her world. It was Grayson's and Hanna's baby brother.
She wished she could adopt him as well, assuring all siblings were together under the same roof. So, a short while after he was born, he joined the life of Grayson his brother, and Hanna his sister. In Katie's eyes, it seemed like the right thing to do. She couldn't think of some other family taking him in. On June 25th, 2020 Katie legally adopted Jackson. The now mother of three was overjoyed and delighted.
There Were More
Katie discover later on that her three children had two more siblings — two older sisters. Taylor and Eadygrace. The two sisters were adopted by another couple from Florida. Within three years, Katie went from being a single divorcee in a new town to a proud mother of three beautiful and loving children. They gave her all the love she ever longed for.
With the love of the children came the love of a man, and shortly after adopting Jackson, Katie met Joshua, an army veteran. It didn't take him long to fall in love with her three children, and soon enough he became part of the family.At first, it was believed that Katie had found her place of peace and that now she could live a quiet and stable life, however, this was not the case.
Her Door Was Left Wide Open
Katie kept her door open for more foster kids to find, even just for a short while, a place of security filled with love and serenity. She knew it was going to be rough, however, she knew this was her calling. Katie can't answer if she will adopt any more children in the future, and she cannot say how many children she will foster over time, however, she does know that she is not getting any younger and sooner or later, she won't be able to bring up any more. No matter how hard she tries.
As for today, she doesn't have a moment of peace and her house is active 24/7. She fosters children of all ages, embraces those who need love and care the most, and fulfills her days with the purest moments in life. Just when she least expected it, her life turned upside down, and as she intended to change these babies' lives by taking them into her home, they unknowingly changed hers.
They say that happy families are all alike and that every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Now, let us add on to that — every family has its own dark, dirty little secret, and each secret is, well, revealed in its own unique way.
Reddit users from all over the world shared with us classified information about their relatives they were either told too late or had to find out on their own. Get ready to read stories that will make you appreciate how unexceptional your nutty family actually is.
Passing Judgment
We all have that one person in our family, the one who likes to judge and give advice no one asked for. You'd assume the person who feels so free to talk about other people's lives would at least be someone who makes sure they do everything right.
Well, there are expectations and then there's reality. Apparently, this person's aunt shouldn't be the one to talk about anybody's life... but she does.
Mysterious Money
Money, money, money, it makes the world go round, it must be funny in the rich's man world and so on and so forth. But, sometimes it can just be the only evidence left from an unsolved mystery. Such is the case in this story.
This family secret is so secretive, no living person knows the answer to it. When you don't know your mind can run wild and imagine the craziest things. Well, guess they can use all these coins to hire a private investigator, right?
Guess Our Secret Is Out?
Every family has a secret recipe, a meal so special that its formula has been passed down for generations, carefully kept and handed down. But what happens when you learn that the delicious dish you thought your grand-grandparents developed is as widely known as pizza, pasta, and croissants?
To his embarrassment, this guy had realized way too late, and in public, that he has been lied to his entire life. At least it was a funny family secret and not a bleak one.
Second Time's a Charm
Back in the day, people didn't use to discuss their past at length, especially if that past included a divorce. Before the new millennium, the word was considered dirty, illustrative of the divorcee's immorality.
Out of all the ways one could discover that their grama tied the knot with someone else before she met grandpa, an unfamiliar album in the attic has to be the best one. Imagine the grandkid's surprise!
Nanna, The Criminal
Two short sentences, yet we feel like a whole book could be written about this funny yet tragic family secret. Of course, a large portion of parenting is about protecting your children from knowing the harsh realities of adult life. Nanna going to jail is exactly the time to whip up your best fable.
But was fat camp really the greatest lie they could come up with? And why did grandma go to prison? Did she steal some hair dye or denture glue from the grocery store?
Out of Wedlock
Have we already mentioned people used to have different morals and rules about what is acceptable and what isn't? Some had to go to a great extent in order to hide what was perceived as a shameful occurrence in the past. Today this is just not that big of a deal.
Lying about your special day might prove problematic if those who attended the wedding remember the event. But hey, guess they wouldn't dare to suggest you got your own anniversary wrong!
All in the Family
We are not sure how to respond to this one, firstly, because of the weirdness of it all. Secondly, because of the sheer chance.
How has such a scheme lasted for so many different generations? Will it continue on forever and ever? Who be will the family's black sheep, that one person who'll choose to marry someone who isn't some type of relative?
Have You Heard of Confidentiality?
You'd expect a trained therapist to know how to keep a secret, right? Isn't confidentiality, like, the first thing they are taught at school? It should be!
Just like fight club, the first rule of therapy is that you don't talk about it, especially not to the patient's children! Luckily, this guy is just a marriage counselor and not an FBI agent.
Eloping Without Your Fiance
Looking back, we tend to think that life in past decades and centuries used to be a lot simpler. People were nicer, no one strayed, cheated, or caused unnecessary drama, right? Wait until you hear this juicy story about a great-great-grandma who didn't play by the rules!
The most awkward part, we think, is that the original fiance still had to attend family dinners with his brother and stolen bride. And you thought your get-togethers were awful!
Changing It Up
We are not sure what is the purpose of this practice. Is this some old family tradition we've never heard of? Are the girls in this family perpetually confused about who their actual parents are?
Honestly, while we can't fathom any benefits of giving your children away for a couple of years (or any reason why it would only be the girls), we do think this might make for a tight-knit family where everyone is as close as they could be.
Can't Take the Heat
Kids will believe almost anything you tell them and sometimes won't revisit the belief your lie created in their minds for years and years. Such was the case for this Reddit user, who was told at a young age it was smoking that had split his aunt and uncle up.
While we do have to admit that it can be very hard for a non-smoker to date someone who enjoys fuming, it is hardly a reason for divorce!
Stealing the Secret
This story isn't really about the actual secret, but about how to cunningly learn the family secret even though grandma tells it only to the married. (Preferential treatment, much?) Sure, we would have loved it if the person shared the actual recipe with us, but this story is priceless regardless.
We believe in equal rights, and everyone deserves the opportunity to try and make nanna's delicious cake.
The Secret Is a Secret
Just tell us! We're dying to know what the secret is, there's just one problem, it is still secret! Was this family member trying to tease and create a fight between this Reddit user and their mother? Or is there something more here?
This user must be the world's most incurious person, as they apparently just decided to pull an Elsa and let it go and never ask anyone anything. Well, they have been living with the uncertainty of not knowing what was hidden from them for over fifteen years, and it seems like they are fine with it.
Rockstar Dad
It's an age-old story, one we mostly encounter while watching outlandish TV shows with unbelievable plotlines. You find out your dad isn't actually your biological father. Instead, it is a glamorous rock star you've admired all your life!
Is this a dream come true, or a nightmare? Depends on the star, we guess. In this case, the actual child is still in the dark.
The Holy Grail of Secrets
Some users on Reddit just like joking around, which is what we assume this user is doing. Otherwise, he and his family are holding some valuable information. How have they maintained this knowledge?
Do they hold the Holy Grail at home, hidden in a safe behind a picture? Will we ever know the truth? No? The suspense is killing us, as this is one mystery everyone would love to solve.
'Tis I
While many chose to share information they have learned about their relatives way too late in life, this poster was herself the secret that was kept from everyone.
Both her conception and existence were kept so quietly that only nineteen years later when she contacted her mom, did everyone in her family finally find out about her, imagine that! How did the mom hide the pregnancy from all of her family members, though?
What Would Jesus Do?
Someone's baptism is a big day, not one they'd want to have overshadowed in any way. Well, this Reddit user had their thunder stolen by a fire! But, not only that, the fire was planned and executed by no other than the poster's family!
We are just speechless, though you do have to admit a baptism is one of the best alibis out there. But maybe, just maybe they should have asked themselves what would Jesus do? Well... not that.
The Old Lady Who Faked Her Own Death
This sentence could turn into a very successful book serious, "The Old Lady Who Faked Her Own Death," would fit right next to "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," don't you think?
We'd love to hear more details about this one. Why did she do it? How did she do it, and how did her relatives find out? All these questions will forever remain unanswered! One thing is for sure, it must have been a lot easier to fake your own death before cameras and traceable phones!
The Arson Uncle
It seems a lot of family secrets involve relatives engaging in criminal activities in one form or another. Do we really need to mention that arson is a felony?
It is always cool to learn that your family members are a part of history and were involved in events people study about in schools. We're assuming he was never caught, otherwise, it would have a different story entirely!
The Pianist
Many secrets are kept hidden because they are, or were shameful in some capacity, but keeping cool things that could have been inspiring as secrets? Not cool, grams!
Maybe the parents didn't want this kid to have what they'd call "unrealstic dreams" but, hey, if nanna did it, why couldn't this guy? All we're saying is, don't conceal cool facts about grandparents.
The Naked Truth
Being in public in your birthday suit could really get you into some unnecessary trouble. Still, many high school and college kids find showing off their hips, well, hip! (See what we did there?) What we didn't know is that the tradition of running around naked is as old as our great-great-grandmothers!
Could you imagine a good Christian girl doing something like that in church? No, huh? Well, they thought so too, which is why she was banished for life.
Puppy Love
We believe this is the type of family secret that could lead to some serious marital problems. Let's hope the mailman knows how to keep a secret. It is a long-known fact that some people just adore their pets, while their partners usually find themselves feeling like they were put on the back burner.
Imagine losing your wife to a dog named Chi-Chi for Christ's sake. It's a full-on tragicomedy at this point.
Dough for Days
Most of the things families chose to keep under cover tend to be on the morbid side, this story, on the other hand, makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside! Learning your ancestors had dough for days is cool enough, but learning they used it to promote a good cause, i.e. helping a public library? Perfection.
Seriously, could you imagine having enough extra cash to just be able to casually give away a couple of millions? Honestly, neither could we.
Butterscotch chips
Imagine this person's surprise when they learned they have been lied to for so long about such an important issue. It's very likely that their world crumbled into little butterscotch chips pieces.
If there's something we have learned in life it's that behind every renowned family recipe there's always a simple ingredient, one that can be found in every supermarket. The funniest part is that this person refused to eat anything made with butterscotch chips, thinking there's no way they'd enjoy it.
Oopsy, Your Secret's Out!
You know that saying about being careful with what you wish for? Well, apparently you should also be careful with what you joke about, cause it just might turn out to be true. What started as a fun, light joke turned out to be the one thing everyone in the family knew but the jester.
While an uncomfortable situation for those involved, it sounds like the type of thing they'd get to laugh about again someday. Or maybe just never mention it. It could go both ways.
The Adopted Dad
There's nothing like learning what drives people and makes them tick, what causes them to behave in one way and not another. We all know things that happened in our childhood have a huge impact on who we become later in life.
This is the case with this Reddit user's dad, who appreciates the kindness of his adoptive parents and wants to show the same love and care for animals and people alike.
Fourth Time's a Charm
They say marriage is for life, but this dad didn't get the memo, as it seems he has treated marriage like more of a sport. We get walking down the aisle and regretting it the first time, maybe we could even conceive of realizing it was a mistake the second time, but the third?
And then marrying again for the fourth time after all that disappointment? No wonder the groom's mother refused to show up, she probably ran out of "mother of the groom" dresses! What can we say? We're glad the last one lasted
Smoking Out the Secret
If there's one thing we are sure everyone hates equally it's gotta be being the last person to discover something. The more obvious the information was, the more oblivious and foolish the person who didn't know feels.
In regards to smoking, there are usually really clear tell-tale signs, the most apparent one being a certain smell that tends to linger. Well, this nanna must be an expert at keeping secrets and she'd make a great undercover agent.
Catfishing Your Kid
Boundaries. Sometimes it feels like large portions of the population have never heard anything about them. Our moms usually want what's best for us, but they tend to have some difficulties when it comes to learning the difference between being caring and being creepy.
This mom probably missed the day at school when they were learning about privacy, which resulted in her crossing the line and setting up the ground for a very awkward relationship with her kid.
Big Families, Small Towns
A small town or a big city? This is the type of question we all have to ask ourselves at one point or another. Some like busy urban environments while others prefer living in the countryside, where everything is green and quiet.
One reason as to why you might wanna go with living in a big city is that small places can prove to have a lot fewer options. Food and entertainment are something one could comprise on, marrying family members on the other hand...
Grandpa, Who Are You?
Confessions are dramatic by nature, but there isn't a more dramatic time to confess something than right before you're about to kick the bucket. If you're about to exit this world, at least make a show out of it!
A show with an open ending is always guaranteed to stay in our minds longer. What did that great great great grandfather do that justified creating a whole new identity? We hope the family figured it out.
Mother-Naked
We have all heard of the term "mother-naked" but we have never thought we'd have to think about that saying, well... literally.
This poor soul has had the misfortune of learning the thing that is passed down in his family isn't a tasty recipe or a useful skill, but rather the tendency to enjoy being in the nude around others. Listen, we don't judge, but also, we kinda do judge, you know?
Beyond the Grave
Funerals are never easy, but this Reddit user attended the world's most awkward, bizarre funeral, and it was his grandfather's! Imagine wanting to peacefully say goodbye to your beloved grandfather when all of a sudden, his second family shows up!
Discovering that someone is cheating and has another family never ends well, but what if you only find out about it after everything ended? It has to be the most inopportune time to find out.
The Coolest Nanna
We are sure your nanna, as well as ours, are angles that have no skeletons in the closet. Actually, we assume all grandmas are sweet old ladies who enjoy baking pies, sewing, and being with their grandchildren.
But this grandma has a different hobby altogether and it looks like her grandson approves of it. As long as her family is still proud of her, what else does she really need?
Brand Loyalty
Loyalty is a very important quality, one we all look for in partners and friends. But, we are not sure this girl's ancestor really got what it meant. Sure, he waited for each wife to pass before he moved on to one of her... family members... that's a sentence we never thought we'd find ourselves writing.
At least this Reddit user could find the humor in her family's weird history. And hey, it was back in the 1800s, so maybe this was cool back then? (It probably wasn't.)
The Mafia
Don't you just love it when someone manages to completely blow your mind in one single sentence? This is the type of hidden info that should not be taken lightly. We have all watched enough of "The Sopranos" to know we really, really don't want to mess with the mafia.
We hope, for this user's sake, that their relatives are on the mob's good side! We also hope they didn't find out about the mafia connection the hard way...
Family History
One of America's most important, proudest moments was when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Could you envision one of your very own founding fathers signing it? You know, that little document Mr. Thomas Jefferson wrote, no biggie.
Of course, everyone knows the best way we can all celebrate our independence today is by posting our opinions online. We are sure this person's ancestors would have been pleased with him.
As Bald as a Coot
While we would never judge anyone for figuring things a little bit too late, we thought it was common knowledge that at some point during their lives, most men lose their hair.
To the grandkid's defense, it seems like the grandfather was pretty good at hiding the truth, until one day he wasn't. But really think about it — the family's darkest secret? Grandpa is blad!
What Happens in Vegas
Vegas weddings are usually a bad idea. They are cheap, far from romantic, and mostly, probably done in secret, which isn't a good start for marriage if you ask us.
Honestly, up until now, we assumed Vegas wedding chapels only existed for teenagers who elope, but we guess there was one point in which everything spiritual idealistic grandparents wanted was for Elvis to wed them.
The Rodent Who Lived
During our childhood, we have all asked our parents for a dog. Most of them got us something lame instead, like a fish, or in this guy's case, a.. gerbil. When the pet passed away, we had a burial ceremony, in which we gave a nice eulogy and allowed everyone to say goodbye to Goldie the goldfish.
But this girl's mom and dad had a brilliant idea. Just replace the pet! Sadly, it seems they couldn't tell the difference between a hamster and a gerbil, a fact which definitely blew their cover.
The Silent Treatment
Communicating isn't the easiest thing to do, and sometimes, ironically, it becomes harder the longer you know a person. We all know at least one person or even were the person who just gave their significant other the silent treatment for a couple of hours to teach them a lesson.
Now, envision that method on a much, much, much larger scale and you get the above story. How did these two manage to go two decades in the same house without talking to each other?
23&Me
If you don't know what 23&me is, where have you been? It's one of these genetic testing companies that allow you to learn where your ancestors are from.
Many have already complained that the rise of ancestral examinations has actually made it a lot harder to keep family secrets. We bet their mom had a lot to explain. We wouldn't want to put ourselves in her shoes!
A Special Friend
As kids, we sometimes don't really understand things that seem obvious to adults. This can lead to hysterical situations, like with this little girl, who never understood why her aunt always got to bring a friend to family dinners while she couldn't.
Luckily no one actually has to spell this secret out for her, as when she was a teenager she finally put two and two together!
From Rags to Riches, to Nothing.
What's worse, to never have something in the first place, or knowing you almost had it all, just to have it taken away because of a technicality? The second one, duh!
A lot of the actions people try to keep undercover are cheating-related. Sure, deception isn't the most ethical thing to do, but really, great-great-grandma? Couldn't you have kept your transgression to yourself? This affair cost all of your offspring a lot of money.
A Foxy Nurse
There is a lot to unpack here, don't you think? Whether the fact that uncles sometimes go to these sleazy bars is a secret or not, that depends on the family. But if it was, well, it's the most unfortunate place to have an unexpected health issue in.
But, in a twist of fate, Mr. Uncle actually was lucky to be in that despicable place, as the kind lady who danced with him was also a nurse. Maybe there's a moral to this story, somewhere? Honestly, if there is we couldn't find it.
A Forgotten Secret
Is there any chance you'd forget whether you ever shared very secretive, crucial information with someone or not? Yeah, we wouldn't lose our memory about such a topic either, but Reddit users are here to prove anything can happen!
Having everyone learn your secret is one thing, misremembering if it was ever told is another. There really isn't a way out of this situation at this point.
CIA Grandad
Out of all the things one could learn about their father's father after they have already passed this is one of the most thrilling ones. Who wouldn't enjoy learning they had their own version of James Bond in the family?
Sure, the signs were always there, but it's not every day that you get your little conspiracy theory confirmed by government documents! We think CIA grandad would make for a great TV show.
Mom's Little Helper
Being a perfect housewife is hard. No, scratch that, being any type of housewife, perfect or otherwise, is really, really, hard. We really do understand why sometimes (or always) moms would just prefer to serve a pre-made meal.
How ironic that the kids enjoyed the boxed meal a lot more than the mother actually expected? This just proves there really isn't any point in cooking, especially for children.
The Other Woman
When we're young we think our parents and grandparents are perfect, moral humans who couldn't hurt a fly. Then we grow up and we learn that grandparents are people too and they can engage in shady behavior as if they were silly little teenagers.
Up until now, we thought the safest thing was to keep affairs on the down-low, not to have them come to family functions. Somehow, they did manage to keep it a secret for over 20 years. So... good for them, we guess?
Bad Credit
Being married is not a picnic, but an obstacle course. One obstacle could be falling for someone who, god forbid, has really really bad credit. Such was the case with this user's dad.
His parents were not going to let that stop them from buying a house, so they got a divorce and stayed together until they did. At which point they were already divorced! Are you following? It was hard for us to grasp too.
Two Peas in a Pod
If there was ever an ingenious plan as to how to have an extra-marital affair, this must be it. Cheating with your partner's identical twin can prove to be handy in several different ways.
Firstly, one can always pretend to be so clueless that they didn't notice it was the twin they were hanging out with all along. Also, if the twins share the same DNA, would it even be possible to prove which one is the actual father?
A Sweet Secret
Most family secrets seem to be on the dark side. Someone did something behind someone's back and years later a family member finds out by mistake and everyone's life is ruined.
Not this one, here the secret was kept due to modesty and humility, and not because of shame and guilt. There's nothing sweeter than realizing your grandfather spent his entire life anonymously giving to others.
Hidden in Plain Sight
As far as reasons to be away from home go, a career in the military is one that usually makes family members proud. This means that the U.S Army can actually be used as a great excuse hiding the real reason as to why a family member hasn't come home in a year.
But there's another secret hidden in plain sight - what was he even arrested for?
A Gold Mine
A mystery within a mystery within a mystery! How did grandpa get all of the silver and gold in the first place? Was he involved in some shady business, or did he just want to keep some of his assets out of the bank?
Where exactly did he hide them? And most importantly, who were the family members who found the secret stash first and took all the inheritance for themselves? We wish we could be there to hear the rest of this story unfold.
A Win-Win Situation
Many parents say that the day their first kid was born was the happiest day of their lives. Now, picture this: the day you welcome your first kid into your life is also the same day you welcome your first grandkid. Sounds impossible? While it is insane, it is actually possible!
This grandpa didn't even know he had a daughter until she came by to introduce his grandkid. He gained them both on the same day.
The Point of No Return
Our parents usually want what's best for us. When they disapprove of something we do, it can be hard to follow through with it. This is especially true when it comes to choosing life partners. Marrying someone your parents openly dislike can be complicated.
Still, it doesn't get more complicated than having your own parents try to get you to be left at the altar. We really can't see how a parent-kid relationship can recover from that.
We Were On a Break!
There's nothing more unlucky than realizing that a one-night fling you never told your wife about (you were on a break!) ended up in a pregnancy.
Oh no, wait, there is something more unfortunate - having your wife and kids find out the whole thing. Will this Reddit poster ever get to meet his half-brother? If it's up to his father, probably not.
Sweet Vengeance
They say revenge is a dish best served cold, but it sounds like this act of revenge had to be pretty steamy. This one was a double whammy, a two-in-one if you like. Not only did he get back at his wife, he also got back at the man who facilitated his wife's infidelity.
This probably wasn't the way to rehabilitate the marriage, but it doesn't sound like this is what the grandfather was looking for.
There's No Law Against It
We have all heard stories about people getting married for very practical reasons, and it usually sounds like a bad choice.
Needing a legal way to stay in the country, this person's mom asked a man she had only known for one week to marry her. He agreed, and then ended up falling in love. Kinda sound like a plot for a Netflix Rom-Com. We'd definitely watch it.
Good Things Come at a Price
They say that having children is one of the most fulfilling things a person could do. They also say it is one of the most expensive things a person could do. Parents usually have to spend an insane amount of money just to make sure their offspring is fed, happy, and healthy.
But, when you promise your child a college fund, you better deliver. In this case, the parents delivered a total of $148.74, which isn't much of a fund, isn't it?
The Black Sheep of the Family
There's a lot to unpack here. We can't be exactly sure what the times were like when this person's great-great-grandfather was alive. Maybe resorting to sheep-stealing was the only way to survive back then.
But you gotta know how to do it. Getting caught and completely banned from Missouri? This ancestor sounds like an amateur. Luckily, it doesn't like getting banned from this specific state is much of a loss.
Thank the Troops
Troops do a lot for their country, they put their lives at risk in order to protect others. In this case, the troops took it a step further and helped an orphaned baby.
But, that didn't stop there, the guys kept in touch with the kid and helped him in any way possible. This is such a sweet heartwarming story to hear about your very own uncle. Probably made his family very proud.
OBG Why Not?
Affairs happen. Sometimes it is with the next-door neighbor or the milkman. We have also heard of having affairs with your partner's sibling or best first. But the OBGYN who's delivering your first child?
That must be an anomaly, right? But what if it isn't? We really don't want to go there. We at least hope that love letters were fun to read.
The Fried Chicken Family
When you think of fried chicken, you think of KFC. That's how strong this brand is. This Kentucky resident learned that his great-great-uncle was the person who founded this delicious fast-food restaurant.
Not only that, since it was discovered, it is no longer a buried, hidden, secret but a source of pride! Imagine the look on peoples' faces when they are told the person standing in front of them is related to Colonel Sanders.
Luck of the Draw
Having a mysterious person paying your college tuition is the type of thing they write novels about. Usually, there's only one conclusion to be drawn from such a situation, someone was doing the dirty with someone else, which resulted in a lovechild. But this story is far more interesting than that.
This Reddit poster's grandpa was a bookie who played his cards right and got Mr. Tony to pay for his grandson's education.
Driving The Drinks
It can sometimes be hard to remember that our grandparents were literally a part of history. This grandma was into alcohol before it was even cool, or well, legal! That got her in some trouble that resulted in a license suspension.
But would she admit to what she's done to get it back? Never! Who needs driving anyway? We bet this gal has already driven enough for a lifetime. After having her fair share of police chases, she probably just wants to rest, you know?
Not So Native
Like many secrets today, this one was released not because of a heartfelt confession, but because of a DNA test. In the past people got them to learn important medical information, today we take them for fun! Boy, how times have changed!
We have questions, so many questions. Like who was the person who told this Reddit poster that their great-grandma was Cherokee? Was it something she herself liked to tell people? How could she have lied like that?
Family History
There's nothing a kid finds more enticing than imagining some unknown relative of theirs is or was an excellent athlete who won fame and broke records.
When this boy had to do a genogram for school, an all-around boring task, he found out one of the coolest things one could find -- his first cousin was a star footballer who has had his fair share of accomplishments!
So Many Siblings
Families can come in all different shapes and forms. Some are as small as two humans and a dog, or a human and five cats (we don't judge!) while others could be as big as a tribe of 30.
When it comes to this bizarre family secret, we are not sure what's more upsetting: the number of siblings the grandfather has or the fact that 11 of them were a result of a father having an affair with his son's girlfriend. We bet family dinners get really awkward for them.
Dating Eminem's Dad
You didn't expect us to get through this list without mentioning at least some type of celebrity right? Usually, anonymous people who have dated celebrities love talking about it.
But here it is the grandmother who dated Eminem's father, back when the two were in school. Spells old news to us, you know? But some families really need a secret, even if it's kind of mundane.
A Salty Story
This Reddit user has been using Morton Salt their entire life, and have never once suspected of the secret history their family has with the brand.
Sure, there's no way of proving that this story is actually true, this means you might want to take this one with a grain of salt. This kind of contest seems to be a win for the brand, which probably secured the family's loyal without having to pay royalties.
Not Your Father
This started out simple: A rebellious teenager felt like they didn't belong. We've all been there, we've all heard it. But this story takes a turn towards the scandalous.
When the 12-year exclaimed that it feels like their father isn't actually their father, the grandma decided to put the cards on the table and admit that it's true! Who would have thought that such a mundane exchange would result in such a revelation?
The Raccoon that Could
This one isn't strictly a secret, but more of an ongoing misunderstanding that has to lead this poor person to believe that their childhood raccoon had died prematurely.
But, the dad was not using any fancy metaphors but was actually delivering the truth. How rare! This truth went over the kid's head, but years later, she got to learn what actually happened to her beloved raccoon.
Something to Write Home About
Family secrets are called so for a reason, most people wish to keep them hidden from both family members and the entire world. But this sneaky grandpa wanted to air all of his dirty laundry outside.
So he did, in the form of a novel that he published. Now anyone and everyone could read about the couple's messy divorce, including the poor children and grandchildren, who've probably realized that some secrets should be kept that way.
A New Identity
Imagine thinking you were of one origin and then learning you were of a different one entirely. This is what happened to this Reddit user, who took a DNA test and learned of his Jewish descent.
But that was just the beginning, he, later on, learned everything about his grandfather's past, and about all of the things he was willing to sacrifice in order to achieve the American dream.
A Family Feud
If you know anyone who has ever gotten a divorce or been through a breakup, you know these can get really messy. So messy that people who once loved each other and vowed to always stay together can end up having heated, petty arguments about who is going to get the sofa. But, maybe it is even worse for those who can't or won't get a divorce.
They might find themselves trying all sorts of creative ways to get their partners out of their lives.
Three's a Crowd
What would you say, is this uncle commitment-phobic, or maybe he's actually a commitment enthusiast? So committed to the institute of marriage that one just wasn't enough for him.
The revelation of this secret got the uncle in serious trouble, none of his children wanted to talk to him, or to each other. Sounds like he bit off a tad more than he could chew.
Water Can Be Thicker than Blood
There's a special place in heaven reserved for men and women who take in children who aren't they own as if they were. In this case, the grandfather did it in order to save the child.
Not only was he kind, but also humble, not telling anyone that the kid is not his child. This story shows that sometimes a choice to be there for someone can be stronger than a biological connection.
Breaking the Bank
We thought the bank robbers only existed in the movies, but this guy learned that his ancestors were real-life rebels who stormed banks in their free time.
There's a great chance he even has some money-taking skills in him that he is yet to discover. But alas, since all of the crooks of the family have already passed away, this guy will have to figure it out all on his own.