This happened two weeks ago and I’m still getting awkward texts from relatives.
I (27F) was a bridesmaid in my cousin’s wedding. Everyone was drinking, dancing, emotions were high, you know the vibe. At one point, the groom’s younger brother (early 20s?) pulled me aside to chat. I figured he was just overwhelmed. Weddings are a lot.
Except he unloaded.
I mean full-on therapy session. Told me about his parents’ divorce, his struggle with addiction, how he feels like a failure, how he doesn’t think his brother even likes him. I was like a deer in emotional headlights. I tried to nod and validate and offer comforting words.
Then, and I wish I was kidding, he started crying on my shoulder.
Right as the photographer walked by.
So now there’s a candid photo in the official wedding album of me comforting a crying groomsman while everyone else is doing the Cha-Cha Slide. I’ve been dubbed the “Trauma Sponge” of the wedding.
TL;DR: Gave one guy at a wedding a safe space and now I’m immortalized in the album as the sob-sponge bridesmaid.
Comments
You know June is Mens Mental Health Awarenss Month, so maybe you can take this one as a badge of honour for the month.
OK. So you are a natural empath. And I imagine very attractive. So what if you took some couples counselor classes & became a counselor. Because you seem quite natural at it.
You’re not a Trauma Sponge”. That’s insulting & the correct term is emotional tampon anyway.
YOU are a boy brain mechanic.
This isn’t a TIFU except for the fact that you think it’s a FU and posted it. I hope the person who confided in you doesn’t read this post.