by Relationships with siblings can be complicated. No one is able to push our buttons and support us quite like our brothers and sisters. But not every sibling relationship is civil—some sibling rivalries from childhood continue well into adulthood.
Meet Meghan Reynolds
Meghan Reynolds was born in a small town in upstate New York to Gail and Dylan Reynolds. The second child and the new baby of the family, Meghan was treated like royalty from the moment she was born. She was her parents’ little princess, and it didn’t take long for her to get used to the attention.
Being the baby of the house had its perks—she was pampered, adored, and often got her way. To her, it felt natural, like it was the way things were supposed to be. But things weren’t always easy for her older brother.
The Older Brother
Her older brother Frankie didn’t appreciate the shift in attention. He was five years older than Meghan, and for those first five years, it was just him, soaking up all the love and attention from their parents. He was their world, and as any young child would, he loved every minute of it. But everything changed when Meghan came along.
Suddenly, the spotlight wasn’t his anymore, and their parents seemed to focus all their energy on his baby sister. The tension between them was undeniable, and it was about to get even worse.
Sibling Rivalry
Meghan and Frankie were never close. As Meghan grew up, she continued to get most of their parents’ attention. It wasn’t her fault—her parents just seemed to dote on her more, worrying about her safety in a way they never did with Frankie. But instead of blaming their parents, Frankie directed all his frustration at Meghan.
They fought constantly—or worse, he would ignore her entirely. Meghan grew up knowing her brother hated her, though their parents seemed oblivious. Then, one day, Frankie left for college, and everything changed.
Radio Silence
Life became easier for Meghan once Frankie went off to college. The constant tension was gone, and for the first time, the house felt peaceful. But for her parents, it was the opposite. They missed him, and it showed.
They talked about him all the time, wondering why he never came home for holidays or breaks. Frankie always had some excuse to stay in his college town. Slowly, they began to question why their son didn’t want to see them anymore. Then, the final straw hit—the moment that changed everything.
The Graduation
Four years had passed, and the Reynolds had barely seen Frankie at all. They knew nothing about his studies or life. One day, while checking his university’s website, they stumbled upon the date of his graduation—something Frankie had never mentioned. They immediately called him, demanding to know why he hadn’t told them. That’s when it all came out.
Years of pent-up resentment poured from Frankie over the phone, and Meghan watched as the color drained from her parent’s faces. It was as if something inside them shifted. Somehow, Meghan knew that a switch had been flipped and that things would never be the same.
Making Up For It
That next weekend, the Reynolds attended Frankie’s graduation, and Meghan stood off to the side as her parents and brother shared a tearful reunion. Her mom, through sobs, kept apologizing for everything—every mistake, every time they had neglected him. She kissed Frankie’s head, over and over, promising to make it up to him for the rest of their lives.
It should have been a heartwarming scene, where a whole family came back together, but Meghan wasn’t involved in this embrace. As she watched from a distance, her eyes met Frankie’s. He didn’t cry or soften at all. Instead, he smirked right at her, a look that sent a chill down her spine.
A Scheme
Meghan’s mouth hung open in shock. Frankie’s smirk told her everything—he thought he had won. She knew they had never gotten along, and she genuinely believed their parents should make more time for him, but this was different.
Frankie’s expression made it clear that he saw this as some kind of victory, as if he had been playing a game she wasn’t even aware of. Suddenly, a sinking feeling settled in Meghan’s stomach. Things were about to shift.
Big Change
Overnight, her parents were calling Frankie every other day, chatting with him about his life and planning trips together. It was like Meghan had become invisible, despite the fact that Frankie didn’t even live with them. Her school events went unnoticed, and they barely showed up to her high school graduation—rushing in at the last second.
It felt like whiplash, going from being the center of their world to being completely ignored by parents who once monitored and celebrated her every move. Going off to college was her opportunity to get some space. While she hoped things would go back to the way they were, they were about to get much worse.
Taking the Hint
As Meghan’s time in college dragged on, communication with her parents dwindled. They stopped inviting her home for holidays and breaks, even when she reached out to ask if she could visit. Each time, she learned they were off visiting Frankie or planning trips that coincidentally fell on the same dates she wanted to come home.
Over the Break
Meghan sat alone in the common room of her dorm over Thanksgiving, absorbed in a movie on the television. She barely registered when someone entered and asked if they could join her. With a half-hearted wave, she gestured for them to sit.
The two watched the movie in silence for an hour, each lost in their own thoughts. When the credits rolled, Meghan finally turned and realized it was a boy she recognized from the dorms. He introduced himself as Zach and asked what she was doing there over the break. An easy conversation started—and continued on effortlessly for hours. Zach was about to change everything.
Open Ear
As they talked, Meghan opened up about her family and why she was stuck at school over Thanksgiving. Zach listened without judgment, his expression warm and understanding. He explained his own family dynamic. Hours passed unnoticed and they got deeper into each other’s lives. It wasn’t until light began to spill through the windows that they realized how late it had become.
A Relationship
Before long, Meghan and Zach were officially dating, and it felt like the world had finally aligned for her. With both of them staying on campus during breaks and holidays, they had plenty of time to explore their connection. Late-night talks turned into shared meals and spontaneous adventures around town.
The Ceremony
Nearly two years had passed since Meghan had last seen her family, and the thought of her graduation ceremony filled her with a sense of curiosity and dread. She considered confronting them, much like Frankie had five years ago, but she couldn’t muster the energy—especially when they seemed so preoccupied the whole time they were at the ceremony.
She could deal with the lack of excitement and interest in her life. After all, she was used to it by now. But the final straw came when she introduced Zach to them—a moment that she would remember forever.
Proper Greeting
After three years together, Meghan had hoped they would be interested in meeting her boyfriend, but their reaction told her everything. When she introduced him, they barely met his gaze, exchanging only polite smiles before scanning the crowd for Frankie.
Meghan was silently fuming, but Zach remained calm, offering her a reassuring look that said he understood. They had both anticipated this kind of treatment, yet it didn’t lessen the sting. Still, it almost felt like closure, like a final goodbye to the life she once had. When she said bye to her parents that afternoon, she never expected things to get worse.
Deeper Bond
While she grew further and further apart from her family, she and Zach grew closer. She made several attempts to reach out—calling her parents to invite them for dinner, suggesting they spend the holidays together, but there was always some elaborate excuse, some plan involving Frankie. Meghan couldn’t shake the feeling they were just making it up.
Each rejection stung, but she tried not to let it show. Through it all, Zach was her rock, always there to lift her spirits. Then, one day, when she least expected it, Zach had an important question to ask her.
A Surprise
It happened unexpectedly, a magical moment when Zach and Meghan were surrounded by close friends and a few family members in the cozy backyard of their house. Candles flickered, flowers adorned the scene, and Zach knelt down with that beaming smile she adored.
Meghan couldn’t contain her joy, tears of happiness streaming down her face as she said “Yes”, pulling Zach into a tight embrace as cheers erupted around them. But as they celebrated, something nagged at her—she couldn’t shake the disappointment that her parents and brother weren’t there. She wondered if it would ever get easier.
Planning the Wedding
Meghan had always heard that planning a wedding was stressful, but surprisingly, things came together without much trouble. They found a venue, picked a cake, and hired caterers—everything they needed for a beautiful yet affordable ceremony.
Of course, she knew her parents wouldn’t be offering any financial help—they hadn’t even answered her call when she tried to share the news about her engagement. Still, there was no way they’d miss her wedding—would they?
Getting Closer
As the wedding started to get closer, an idea started to take shape in Meghan’s mind. Maybe her parents would eventually come to their senses, maybe they wouldn’t—but she knew she’d regret it if she didn’t at least try to get them there.
Big Day
Though they never responded to the mailed invitation, Meghan knew her parents had saved the date. That was confirmed when her phone rang that exact morning. “Sweetheart, we’re at your brother’s launch event,” her mother chirped. “What launch event?” Meghan asked, her heart sinking. “He just invented a self-flying drone!” her mother exclaimed, full of pride.
“Mom, my wedding is in an hour,” Meghan said, her voice barely holding together. “Can’t miss his big moment!” her mother replied. Meghan couldn’t help the sob that ripped out of her as she hung up. She wiped her tears and felt a smile come to her face. This was exactly what she’d planned for.
I Told You So
She went to Zach, and he pulled her into an embrace, gently wiping away her tears. They were both still in their pajamas. Meghan sniffled and giggled at the absurdity of it all, explaining her parents’ decision to attend Frankie’s launch instead.
Zach listened, not surprised in the least. “So, everything’s in place then?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. Meghan’s eyes sparkled through her lingering sadness, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Oh, it’s definitely in place,” she responded.
Few Texts
Meghan’s plan worked—she tricked them—the wedding had been planned for a day later than her parents thought. That morning, before she started getting ready, she sent her father a text: “Guess what, Dad? I just talked to Frankie, and he told me about a gala event he’s invited to tonight. I was surprised to hear from him, but he asked me to let you know where to go. Dress nice.”
Then she sent a similar message to her brother. Satisfied with her plan, Meghan got in the car and drove to the venue. She hoped things would go exactly the way she’d planned.
A Blur
The entire day was a whirlwind. After sending follow-up messages to her parents and brother, Meghan directed her attention to the task at hand. Makeup and hair artists arrived, transforming her into the bride she’d always wanted to be.
As the final touches were applied, she caught her reflection in the mirror and turned to her friends—who had become her true family over the years—with tears glistening in her eyes. “Let’s do this thing,” she said, her voice surprisingly steady. With a deep breath, Meghan stepped out, ready to see her husband-to-be.
The Big Moment
The moment had finally arrived. The bridesmaids and flower girls walked down the aisle ahead of her. Then, the doors swung open, and Meghan saw Zach at the altar, a radiant smile lighting up his face. All she could see now was her future with the man she loved.
She took a deep breath, willing herself not to glance at the crowd in the pews, focusing solely on Zach. All that mattered was this moment and the love that awaited her at the end of the aisle. She wasn’t prepared for the interruption that would break her out of her spell.
An Interruption
As Meghan reached the altar, she grasped Zach’s hands, and for a moment, everything around them fell silent. It was just the two of them and her heart swelled with joy as she realized she was standing next to the perfect guy. Just as the officiant began to speak, the doors burst open.
Heads turned, and Meghan’s breath caught in her throat as she saw her mother, father, and brother stumble into the venue, looking flustered and out of breath. “What is this?” Frankie blurted out.
Please Be Seated
Zach turned to the officiant, asking him to pause before striding over to Meghan’s family. “We’re so glad you could join us! Your seats are right up here at the front,” he announced, leading them up the aisle. “But… but I thought your wedding was yesterday?” Frankie stammered.
“Ah, Frankie, this is your sister’s wedding. Pull it together, will you?” Zach replied. Meghan’s parents and brother sat down in stunned silence. Zach rejoined Meghan at the altar, before turning back to the officiant. “You can continue now,” he said with a smile.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was breathtaking, filled with tears and laughter as vows were exchanged. It was everything Meghan had dreamed of, and before she knew it, they were slipping on the rings and being pronounced husband and wife. Cheers erupted from the crowd as they made their way down the aisle.
In the midst of the excitement, Meghan almost forgot her family was present—until she spotted them a little later, sitting stiffly at the reception, looking awkward. Taking a deep breath, she approached them.
Let’s Talk About It
“I’m glad you guys could make it to my wedding after all. I know you actively tried to avoid it,” Meghan said, trying to keep her voice steady. “Honey, how can you say that? We wanted to, of course, we just…” her mother’s voice trailed off as she registered the look on Meghan’s face.
“It’s been a long time since we saw each other, though not for my lack of trying. I just thought you’d regret missing my wedding, so I sent you the invitation with the wrong date. Luckily, you guys did exactly what I expected you to. Hey, I’m just glad you answered my texts,” she said. The weight of Meghan’s words hung in the air. She watched her parents exchange uncertain glances.
An Apology
“Meghan, I’m not sure what to say… I’m not exactly sure when our family became like this,” her dad admitted. Next to him, her mom’s eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m so sorry. We never knew how to balance the needs of both children at the same time,” she muttered.
Then there was Frankie—silent, as usual. It was clear that coming to his sister’s wedding hadn’t changed the aversion he’d had towards her for as long as she could remember. “I’m glad you all came. I’d love to have a relationship with you, but that has to come from you,” Meghan said, forcing a smile. “Enjoy the evening,” she continued. With that, she turned and walked away, determined to find her husband and celebrate their big day.
Looking to the Future
When Meghan’s parents were planning on missing her wedding, she could have let it ruin the most important day of her life. We’re glad she found a way to have her family there with her.
