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.
Janice & Luke
Janice was bringing Luke up all by herself. There were days when she was struggling, and not everything was easy for the two, however, he was her world, and she loved him dearly. She did everything she could to provide for him, and Luke had everything he possibly needed.
Janice and Luke lived in a small town on the outskirts of Wisconsin, and they led a simple yet loved life. They were happy and grateful for what they had. Little did they know that their life was about to turn upside down with an astonishing discovery that was not going to leave things the way they were.
Morning Drop Off
Janice and Luke had a regular morning routine. She would drop off Luke at school and then head off to her job at a small local bookshop. When Luke would return home from school, she would already be waiting for him, eager to hear about how his day was.
On this specific morning, Luke had a different look on his face. He was happier than ever, and she could see the spark in his eyes from a mile. He ran up to his mom and excitedly announced that he had found his identical twin. Not just someone who resembled him but someone who was the spitting image of him.
An Imaginary Lookalike
At first, Janice thought her son was just having a laugh. She thought it was just child's play and that his imagination was working extra hours. Luke insisted that the new boy he had met was not imaginary and that he looked exactly like him.
He kept on saying that they had the same hair, that they walked the same way, and that they even liked the same things. They had the same favorite color and wore their clothes in the same particular way. Luke said that he had found his identical twin brother as if they were separated at birth.
It Was Not His Imagination
Janice did not want to upset her son, so at first, she supported what he shared with her, however, soon after, she asked him again if it wasn't his imagination going wild. She accepted the fact that some people can look the same, but Luke was describing this new boy as a twin.
He described him as someone who looked exactly like her son, and naturally, that was impossible for her to accept. Luke insisted that this new boy looked exactly like him, and he even asked the teacher to take a photo for his mom to see. Janice couldn't wait to see what her son was going on about.
Same on the Inside
She waited patiently for her son to show her the photo of him and this lookalike boy. When she saw what Luke was holding, she immediately froze. This was too much too soon for her to take in. The photo was of Luke and another boy, about the same height, wearing the same shirt; however, he was black, and Luke was white.
Janice realized that Luke must have probably found someone he had a lot in common with and was able to see beyond the obvious appearance differences they had. He didn't see that they were different in color, and as far as he was concerned, they were twins.
Deep Connections
The two boys obviously had a deep and strong connection, and Janice wanted to do whatever she could to help Luke preserve this special relationship. She decided to meet the boy's family and arrange an extended playdate. Luke was excited, and Janice was happy she made her son so very happy.
What Janice didn't know was that this coming day was going to bring back her very uneasy past and place her in a position that made her very uncomfortable. What should have been an innocent afternoon with new friends would turn into a life episode that has been lingering on for way too long.
School Suprise
On a later day, Janice visited Luke at school. She felt this would be a great opportunity to see the new friends and family close and in a natural environment. In the back row of the class, she suddenly saw a little boy who really did resemble her Luke. Not the kid from the picture Luke had shown her. This time, the resemblance came down to a lot more than a matching shirt.
Could this have been the twin Luke was going on about? At first, she couldn't believe what she was seeing. This other boy was shy and quiet. Janice felt the best thing to do was to ask the teacher who this boy was. She was hoping she could get some more information about him and to better understand how one boy looked exactly like hers.
There Was More Than She Thought
Luke's teacher was more than happy to help. She told Janice that the shy boy from behind was named Leon Martin and that he had been adopted. Janice couldn't just leave it at that, and she decided she had to find a way to connect with his adoptive family.
She didn't want to disturb anyone or make them feel uncomfortable, however, she had to get to the bottom of this. She respected their privacy, but they deserved to know the truth, too, and there was more than just one family involved in this. She was determined to discover everything she could about Leon's family.
Glass Differences
Luke attended dance classes, and Leon, who looked very much like Luke except for having glasses, attended those dance classes too. One day, Janice decided to join Luke in his class so she could have a closer look at Leon. She had planned to approach him at the end of the lesson, however, there were so many people around, and too much was going on, it just wasn't the right time.
Janice was back at square one and knew that the school would be the only source willing to help her. To her surprise, the school was all in and was willing to do whatever they could to help Janice on her mission.
Unexplained Magic
Janice knew deep inside that the wonders of this universe were what brought them together; how else could you explain that out of all the schools and classes in the world, Leon ended up in Luke's class? It was destiny, and the powers of nature have always proven to be stronger than us.
Luke, like most kids his age, was innocent and wasn't aware of what was going on. He realized obviously that there was a kid in class who looked just like him, however, he didn't understand how unlikely this could be if they were not related in one way or another.
Could She Keep This to Herself?
On one hand, she felt that Luke had the right to know about his past and history and that if he really did have a twin brother out there, it was now time to reveal the truth. On the other hand, she wanted to avoid any heartache or disappointments, and she felt she was obliged to protect him from the truth.
Janice had to work on a plan, and she had to do it fast. She found herself asking questions no one could answer about Luke's past and the possibility he had a twin. Was this the truth? Was there anything else she wasn't aware of?
The Past Was at Her Doorstep
Could they have been separated at birth? How could somebody do that? She couldn't stop comparing Luke to Leon and hoped she would see such a difference between the two that would make all these speculations crumble down. Unfortunately, she didn't, and they still looked like two peas in a pod.
Janice needed proof, and the best proof was DNA. She managed to get some hair off of Leon's hair and sent it together with Luke's sample to a laboratory to be tested. Was this finally going to bring the story to an end? Was Janice about to receive the news she was waiting for?
How Long Could This Go on For?
The next few weeks were a nightmare for Janice. She found herself waiting for the DNA test results and not thinking or doing anything else. The days passed and still no answer. Janice began wondering if she would ever get to know the truth about Luke, Leon, and their birth story. One thing Janice didn't think about was the day after.
How would she cope after discovering the truth, no matter what the answer was? Then, one afternoon, an envelope was delivered, holding the truth she was waiting for. Janice opened the white letter and found herself reading the printed words over and over again.
Laboratory Results
She sat there and read the DNA results for more than two hours. She could not believe her eyes. Whatever the letter said didn't make any sense to her. Nothing was adding up. She knew that if she wasn't careful, her realization and this piece of paper she was holding could cause a lot of harm and unintentionally hurt a lot of people.
Janice found herself in a position she had never been in before, and she was sure what the right thing to do was. Janice had a past and history of her own, which held some secrets, too.
It Was Her Life Secret
The fact that Luke was adopted, too, was a secret Janice kept close to her heart for years. No one knew about it, she felt others might judge her for her decisions, and she felt the time to share this with the world had come. Before Luke was born, Janice was pregnant, however, she tragically lost the baby.
So when she decided to adopt one, people just assumed Luke was her birth child, and no questions were asked. Janice was happy with the fact that everyone thought Luke was really hers, however, now the echoes of the past had returned to haunt her.
What Should She Do?
The decision-making wasn't easy. Was there such a thing as the right thing to do? And what about Luke? How would he take in all of the news? And Leon? And his parents? There were too many people involved. It wasn't just her.
Janice forced herself to believe that Luke would be happy by discovering a new family. He would embrace his new brother and never think of judging his mother for the decisions she made so many years ago. No matter what the outcomes of this ended up being, Janice knew the clock was ticking, and within no time, the truth was going to be out there.
Was It Decision Time?
There it was, black on white. There was no arguing with it. Luke and Leon were identical twin brothers who were presumably separated at birth. Now, she had to see how to handle this big issue and what to do next. She couldn't do this alone, so she decided to contact the adoption agency for some guidance.
They would be able to give her the tools to assist her. She already knew the truth and felt that she could not keep this a secret from Luke anymore. It was time he knew where he came from and, more importantly, that he had a twin brother. A real twin brother.
It Was Time for Luke to Know the Truth
One evening, she sat Luke down and tried to gently explain what had happened many years ago. She explained that he was chosen and that she did not want any other child but him. That he was always wanted and always desired. She prayed his little heart wouldn't break after hearing the big news and that he wouldn't be traumatized by all that had happened.
As expected, Luke was shocked. His eyes widened, and he didn't say a word. Janice assured him that everything she had ever done was because she loved him and that everything was in his good interest. Luke asked to meet Leon.
There Was More to Come
As Janice and Luke were not the only people involved, she wasn't sure Luke could meet Leon so easily and wasn't sure his request could be answered. Although she didn't know if the two boys' meeting would ever happen now, she assured him that they would meet. She didn't want to disappoint him anymore.
Janice had no idea if the big reunion was really going to happen, but she knew she was going to do everything in her power that it would. She knew that Leon's parents might not be very open about the adoption issue, and she knew that maybe they had no interest in reuniting the brothers for whatever reason.
His Long Lost Brother
Luke always wanted a brother, and now he was about to get one. She didn't want to get his hopes up, but she had a strong feeling that this episode was going to end with tears of joy. Meanwhile, Janice tried to get more information from the DNA labs, like a last name or someone else who might share the same DNA, too.
She wanted to get all of the information she could before approaching Leon's parents. It was hard enough as it was, and she needed something to make it a little easier. This news was going to be a life changer for everyone.
It Was All They Could Give Her
Unsurprisingly, the DNA laboratory had no more information to give her, and there were no records with the same DNA. It was a long shot, however, it had to be done. Luke and Leon had parents, and these parents must be listed somewhere. Janice had to find them no matter what.
There was no way she could carry on living her life knowing that somewhere out there, there was another boy, possibly with no siblings, longing to meet his brother. And not just any brother, a twin brother. It was now time to say goodbye to the life she was going to leave behind and embrace the new truth, no matter what the consequences were.
A Life Project
It was now time to contact the adoption agency and see what information they had to share with her. She knew that not everything would be out in the open, but she prayed that whatever they had to give her would help. The agency was very supportive and understanding of Janice's situation, however, it explained that as these are very old records, it would take them some time to find anything.
Janice had to be very patient. The agency ended the call by saying that whenever they come across any bit of information that could help her, they will contact her. They often destroyed old files that no one had any interest in, so they couldn't promise anything.
The Worst She Could Expect
The worst news Janice could expect knocked on her door. The second family involved asked to remain anonymous. However, the agency was willing to help her and offered to pass them a letter from her. She accepted the offer and poured her heart out on a piece of paper.
She didn't spare any words and expressed her deep feelings and concerns. Now, all she could do was wait. Were they going to reply? Was this letter going to reunite Luke and Leon once and for all? Was this the end, or was it only the beginning? So many questions, yet so few answers.
It Was for Luke
As the days flew by, and there was still no response from the other family, Janice began to lose her patience. She wondered if the family had ever received the letter at all. All of this changed when, one day, a parcel addressed to Luke arrived at their front door.
This parcel was about to be the turning point and the first step for Janice, Luke, and so many others, a new beginning. Was this everything they were waiting for? It was from Leon's mother. She expressed that, at first, she did not want anything to do with Leon's past family, however, after reading Janice's letter, she had a change of mind.
It Was Time to Come Clean
Now, Leon's mom knew it was time for them to put their past behind them and finally meet with Leon's biological family. She also included a photograph of their extended family. Janice showed the photo to Luke. He stared at it for several minutes and didn't say a word.
He looked at his mother and then turned to the photo again. He was overwhelmed, and it took him a while to express what he was going through. He then took a deep breath, looked deep into his mother's eye, and said with a choked and broken voice, "I know that boy."
The Reunion of a Lifetime
Leon's family agreed to meet. This was everything Janice was waiting for. The two families decided that meeting at the park and letting the boys run around would be the best first date for them all. Although Luke knew Leon from dance lessons, they never really communicated. Luke was amazed by how alike they both were.
The more he looked at Leon's image in the photo, the more he could see the similarity and couldn't understand why they were separated when they were born. He began asking Janice all sorts of questions, and she didn't have answers for almost any of them. Janice assured Luke that the day would come and he would get answers to all of his questions.
As If They never Separated
The big day came, and the two families met at one of the local parks. As expected, Janice was very nervous and Luke was very excited. The minute he spotted Leon, he ran over to him, and they both hugged as if they were long-lost brothers who hadn't seen each other for a very long time. As if they were separated at birth.
They embraced one another and held on tight for a few long seconds. Everyone was emotional and couldn't keep their tears away. The sight of the two boys together was overwhelming to all. The two families ended up spending the whole day together, acknowledging that this was the first day of the rest of their lives.
Traveling Down Memory Lane
They shared childhood stories and filled in on so many gaps both families had. The boys were raised in two very different environments but still shared many things and remarkably resembled one another. As the conversation went on, and they continued to dig deep into the past, it was revealed that the twins had a rough start to their life.
Luke and Leon were born premature and spent the first few weeks of their lives in incubators before being adopted. Janice felt it was now time for her to be honest about her past and share her story with Leon's family.
There Was No Hiding Away
She told them about the time she was pregnant and lost her baby in the most tragic way. She continued by sharing how her husband left her straight after, which was then followed by the adoption process. Everyone was sure that Luke was the baby she had lost, and she never told them otherwise.
He was her savior and it was because of him that she managed to pull through and get back on her feet. He was her entire world. This day at the park was the beginning of a beautiful new (or old) relationship. It was the first step into a wonderful friendship between two brothers who never met.
As If It Never Happened
The years flew by, and the family became closer and closer. Luke and Leon naturally grew closer and closer until one day they felt as if they were never separated. They created many new memories together and tried to close the gap and make up for all of those lost years.
Janice sometimes felt like she had gained another son, too, and her heart burst with happiness. They were all so very fortunate to have each other. This was now a relationship that would last a lifetime, and no matter what they would go through, they both knew they had each other.
What If....
Janice couldn't help but think what their lives would look like if they had never got back together. Would they have carried on with their lives as if they knew about a lost brother somewhere out there? What would have happened and how different of a person Luke would have ended up being if he hadn't met Leon?
Luke, Leon, and both their families never got to find out why they were both put up for adoption, however, the more they thought about it, the more they realized that it didn't really matter. They were both lucky to have such warm and loving families that did everything they could to get them back together again.
What was keeping Luke and Leon apart finally came to light and now all the secrets are out in the open, leaving the two families with an incredible story. Here are some more family secrets that maybe should have stayed stowed away forever.
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.