How to tell friend of 10 years [28F] I’m moving in with soon to be Husband [35M]?

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Under the fleeting shadow of a solar eclipse, a 28-year-old woman’s heart soared as her fiancé, Shawn, proposed during a romantic picnic. The moment, marking eight years since their first meeting at an anime convention, felt like a fairy tale. Now, with a wedding days away and plans to move in together, her joy is tempered by a nagging worry. Her best friend of a decade, Abby, harbors an intense, unexplained hatred for Shawn, casting a shadow over their once-sisterly bond.

This isn’t just about breaking news; it’s a delicate dance between love and loyalty. Abby, who once relied on her friend to step out into the world, now shuts down at the mention of Shawn, leaving the bride-to-be torn. As she prepares to start a new chapter, the weight of potentially losing a cherished friendship looms large, stirring a mix of excitement and dread.

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‘How to tell friend of 10 years [28F] I’m moving in with soon to be Husband [35M]?’

I'm going to try my best here, but I'm a mess. I, 28/F, have a friend, I'll call her Abby, 28/F. Abby and I have been friends since we were both around 18, but we've had a few years' breaks (we've had 2 large arguments where we stopped talking. The first time we didn't talk for 2-is years. Second was only a year.) when we are talking we are best friends.

We do a lot together. Conventions, hiking, going to the park, malls, videogames, etc. we know more about each other than most people know about each other. Less of friends, more of sisters. For a while there, I was the only reason Abby was leaving the house. I started to help her exercise and lose weight (something she wanted to do.

She was on weight loss medicine) while I tried to pack on muscles. I also have a fiance, we'll call him Shawn, 35M. I met him when I was 20. We've known each other for 8 years, dating for 7. I met him at an anime convention during one of the 'no talking' fazes Abby and I had. I love this man with all my heart. I can not tell you how much.

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He's the light of my life. I smile any time I think about him. We better each other. He's helped me get out and exercise more and helped me with my sleeping issues. He works with me on my anxiety and depression. while I've helped him with social queues, and talking to people.

Going into the relationship neither of us wanted children, now we're planning a family. (Just a few examples. There's more, but I don't wanna be here all day). This man makes my heart flutter in all of the good ways. I can't be sad looking at him.

When I told him my aunt had a stroke and wouldn't make it through the weekend he told me to pack a bag for me and a bag for dad, he's be at my place in an hour and a half. He was willing to drive TWELVE HOURS, to a different state, no plan on where we'd stay OR guarantee that she'd still be alive when we got there, just so dad and I could say goodbye to her.

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He was halfway to my place before I called him and told him not to worry about it, we'll do a video call. He loves my dad, my dad loves him, almoaf everyone in my life likes him and I adore his family. Especially his mother and sisters. They are amazing. We get along like white on rice.. Now that introductions are over, onto the problem.

Shawn proposed during the solar eclipse. We traveled 2 hours to the path of the eclipse, spent the night, got to the park early and had a picnic. He proceeded to propose during totality and it was romantic AF. It was also the 8th anniversary of the day we first met. I loved it. I was on cloud nine. Hell, I still am. We wanted a fast engagement.

So we planned for a 6 month engagement. The wedding is Saturday, and we are leaving for our honeymoon that Sunday. I am beyond excited. Problem is: Abby hates Shawn. And I mean HATES. her and her mother are the only two people in my life that doesn't like Shawn. And they refuse to explain why.

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Even mentioning his name, she will shut up and ignore me for hours, to sometimes even days. She won't even go on a hike with me, because I have Shawn's car (mine is in the shop and I need it to get to work, he can work from home). She cut fishing durring father's day short, because my dad asked me a question about my bouquet.

I do not know why, as she refuses to explain why. Before you ask: they have NEVER been left alone. At all. None of us do parties, so they've never been to one together. And she's only hung out with him twice, with me there, and she was practically connected to my hip.

They've never ran into each other outside of the three of us hanging out, because Shawn lives over an hour away from us. (I say this because I can already see the comments saying 'he might have SA'd her. Or been creepy with her. Or something.' There is no way they've ever been near each other without me being there.)

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She expects me to always choose her over him, but refuses to explain anything to me. She is PISSED we're getting married. When I told her she gave me the silent treatment for a week. Shawn and I are also planning on moving in together after the wedding. We have a few apartments lined up already, and all of them are outside of the town I currently live in.

(We are also looking for an apartment for my father, so he's still close; because Shawn knows how much I love my father and worry about him) How do I go about telling Abby that I'm moving? I don't want to lose the friendship we have... Well... Had.

Because she's refused to spend any time with me since Father's day. But I worry that no matter how I approach the subject she's going to explode.. I hope this was enough information on the subject. I'll try my best to answer any questions.

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Planning a move with a partner is a thrilling milestone, but for this bride-to-be, it’s complicated by a friend’s irrational animosity. Abby’s refusal to explain her hatred for Shawn, coupled with silent treatments, suggests jealousy or possessiveness, straining a once-close friendship. The woman’s hesitation to share her moving plans reflects her fear of losing Abby, yet her decision to pull back shows growing awareness of the relationship’s toxicity.

This situation mirrors broader issues of co-dependency in friendships. A 2022 study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that 60% of young adults report challenges in friendships due to unbalanced emotional reliance. Abby’s behavior—demanding priority while shutting down communication—points to an unhealthy dynamic.

Relationship expert Dr. Terri Orbuch, in a 2023 article on Oprah Daily, states, “Healthy friendships thrive on mutual support, not control or ultimatums”. Orbuch’s perspective highlights Abby’s failure to support her friend’s happiness, suggesting the bride-to-be’s instinct to distance herself is wise. Abby’s jealousy may stem from losing her primary emotional anchor, but that’s her burden to address.

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To move forward, the woman should prioritize her well-being and her future with Shawn. A calm, honest conversation with Abby, stating her plans without seeking approval, could clarify boundaries. Therapy might help process the grief of a fading friendship. The situation underscores the importance of choosing relationships that uplift rather than undermine life’s big moments.

Here’s the comments of Reddit users:

Reddit didn’t mince words, rallying behind the bride-to-be with sharp insights. The community views Abby’s behavior as toxic, driven by jealousy or an unhealthy need for control. Many see her hatred for Shawn as a reaction to losing her friend’s undivided attention, with some speculating unacknowledged romantic feelings.

Commenters urge the woman to prioritize her fiancé and let the friendship fade, affirming that true friends celebrate, not sabotage, happiness. These Reddit takes spotlight Abby’s controlling tendencies, reinforcing the need to focus on relationships that nurture growth.

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UsuallyWrite2 − Darling. Get thee to therapy. You have a toxic, abusive relationship with this “friend”. And for some reason you can’t see it. So it’s a “you” problem too.. She doesn’t like your fiancé because she’s resource guarding and you’re the resource.

Specialist-Host-4707 − Abby is incredibly jealous of Sean. I don’t think she looks at you as a partner s**ually but more spiritually, more like her biggest fan and cheerleader and Sean is coming between the two of you. You’ve met the man of your dreams and you want to start a life in a family with him and that’s what makes you happy.

It makes Abby miserable because you won’t be in her life 100% if she wants you to be, but you have to accept is that is her problem. Don’t feel guilty about loving your soon to be husband or wanting to be happy. Abby would be over the moon for you if she wasn’t so jealous but again, that’s not your problem either.

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You just tell her that WE are moving because WE decided to. You are with your husband now and she’s going to have to accept that. Again, if she doesn’t, not your problem as much as it hurts to say or here.

BriefHorror − She's one of those people. The ones that can't stand for people to be content and happy. The ones that need 100% of your attention and affection and on demand responses. You have to mourn the friendship because its dead and buried. I believe you that he's great so she's the problem. I'd pick hubby to be if I were you.

merlinshairyballs − Do you honestly think your best friend thinks you guys are gonna live separately after you’re married? I am so confused as to why this is even an issue.

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MaraTheBard − Damn This sub has given me a s**t ton to think about and bring up with my therapist, since I've been avoiding this subject with her for a while. Thank y'all for opening my eyes to how toxic my friend is, and how unhealthy this relationship is.

This 'friendship' has run its course.... I should have realized a lot sooner, with how stressful it had become to keep her away from Shawn.. From the bottom of my heart, thank y'all.

Chickpea7447 − Gurl - your friend is mentally ill & is obsessed with the fact that your attention is no longer solely focused on her. You need to face the facts that it's a co-dependant & crappy friendship. You need to d**p her. I had this friend. Felt like we dated she was so damn controlling about me. D**P HER. Choose your future self.

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Rip_Dirtbag − The friendship is already gone. You're about to get married to a man she detests (that she refuses to give any reason is all the more insane). How exactly do you intend to keep up this friendship when a huge part of your life is off limits to her? Is there any chance that she is in love with you? Does she have a boyfriend? Has she ever in the time that you've known her?

Labradawgz90 − I think your friend could be in love with you. She might not have admitted it to you or herself but that might be why she's so angry. If she can't explain to you why she hates Shawn, she can't explain it to herself. It seems she barely even knows him. She might not really hate Shawn, she hates the idea of him because it sounds to me, she wants to be the only one in your life.

wheres_the_pie − One of my best friends did the exact same thing to me. She hated my then-fiancé (now my husband) for no reason, and she could not give me a reason. She was bitter and spiteful, just like your friend.

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I dropped her so quickly because I know a real friend would not react this way. And I would do everything I could to protect my husband. Why do you want to keep this person in your life? Things will only get worse for you and your fiancé.

[Reddit User] − Abby is either in love with you or feels your fiancé is 'stealing' you from her.. Either way, she's showing deep-seated emotional immaturity.

This bride-to-be’s story reveals the bittersweet reality of outgrowing a friendship that once felt like family. Abby’s refusal to embrace her friend’s joy with Shawn signals a rift too deep to ignore, pushing the woman to choose her future over a toxic past.

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As she steps into marriage and a new home, letting go of Abby may be the kindest act for herself. Readers are invited to share their experiences of navigating friendships during life’s big changes.

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