Today, I discovered that I'm adopted. How? After a great lunch, I asked my uncle how he'd made the salad dressing. He replied, "Haha! It's a secret family recipe, my dear!" I wouldn't have thought twice about it, were it not for my parents' shocked expressions, and the long, awkward silence. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Same thing different taste
Today, my Dad sat me down and told me that I was adopted. I was unbelievably shocked by this revelation and asked him why he'd never told me this before. His response was, "I didn't know!" FML
Revelation
Today, my Dad sat me down and told me that I was adopted. I was unbelievably shocked by this revelation and asked him why he'd never told me this before. His response was, "I didn't know!" FML
Today, I found out that I was not adopted and in fact my parents are my biological parents. How did I find out? Over dinner. How long have I been believing I was adopted? 22 years. Why did I start believing I was adopted? My siblings thought it would be a funny joke. My mom played along. FML
Breaking
Today, my mom told me that she had great news: we were going to meet my biological parents. I didn't know I was adopted. FML
Today, I found out that I was adopted. I'm 46 years old with 11 real siblings and no one bothered to tell me until I found the documents in my dead adoptive father's house. FML
Today, I overheard my parents arguing over who had to tell me that I'm adopted. FML
That's so sick!
Today, I found out my wife of 5 years, with whom we have three kids, is actually my cousin. At a family dinner someone had pointed out how much she looks like my uncle. We laughed until she mentioned that she was adopted from the same town my uncle's ex-wife had a baby. A few questions and a blood test later, we all learned the sick truth. FML
Today, my mom dropped me off at a friend's house. Upon leaving, my friend's mom said how much I looked like my mother. My mother then replied, "That's funny, she was adopted." This was the first I'd heard of this. FML
Today, I found out the joke I’ve been telling for 15 years is true. I am adopted. FML
Today, I let my step-father know exactly what I thought of him. After a few moments of awkward silence, he leaned towards me and quietly whispered, "Well you're adopted. Your parents never loved you." FML
Top comments
Hiimhaileypotter 53
If I ever adopted children, I wouldn't hide it from them until they were that old :( I'd make sure they knew as they were growing up that I had chosen to raise them, even though I wasn't their biological mommy, because I loved them. I'm sorry you had to find out at your age, OP. I know you must have been very upset.
SweetSora 2
That's a sucky way to find out...
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Comments (186)
BookFeminist 0
Aw
blcksocks 19
"Oh!! Hurry! Lemme type a 2 letter comment so I can be the first commenter. Aw shucks..I am second"
alexup24 13
2- You're way too ******* deep
User57777 13
Such wise words…
starflyer59 17
we have a genius over here!
orange9494 0
Neutral milk hotel!
onealmxwilson 18
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
Well now you know not to eat it.
onealmxwilson 18
Oh I swear I'm retarded sometimes. I realize my comment will probably be buried. Took me a minute to get it...
THE_A_TEEN 28
Now you must suffer the consequences. You are hereby BANISHED to the badlands. May Cthulhu have mercy on your soul.
dead_insects 18
Cthulhu reference FTW!!!
william8691 10
22- you too will be banished soon...
doctorhook86 25
Either I'm missing something here, or the first sentence of this FML is not really connected to the rest of the story...
dead_insects 18
if it means not dealing with you anymore, I would take my banishment happily
gojira666 7
Yea 33 you are definitely missing out on the fact that she found out about her adoption via her grandfather not sharing the secret FAMILY recipe with her
seasonedtoast 19
Uncle
Syneriam 7
Being adopted is not that bad, actually its not bad at all if you have caring and loving parents. I don't think it's easy for a parent to tell their child "you're adopted" it changes everything. I personally would prefer my parents not telling me if I was adopted. That's just me, everyone is different.
dead_insects 18
I love how many thumbs down votes I got for one Cthulhu reference, uppity bunch of ballsacks!! C'Mon, let the hate parade for this comment commence!!
S182 15
76- your assessment of being adopted not being bad is based off of what experience? Im not saying you are wrong, but to make a comment, and then immediately tell the world why you aren't qualified at all to make that assessment seems silly...
Syneriam 7
87, I'm just assuming that if a person has loving parents why should it matter if the person is adopted. I'm not saying adoption is a great thing, but it all depends on the adoptive parents.
ALpein 0
87, it's their opinion. They're not claiming it as fact. But if my parents adopted me, I wouldn't want to know because, to me, it doesn't matter. They love me.
All_I_Need 4
At least if you're adopted you can be sure you're not an accident and that your parents wanted you. Plus, your real parents are the people who were by your side all your life, not those who gave you their DNA so it's not so bad to be adopted, being alone would have been worse.
emilyjgraham 34
I get where you're coming from 108 but you worded that completely wrong. if you're adopted it's a possibility that no they weren't wanted and yes they were a mistake hence been given up for adoption (I said it's a possibility I know some people aren't financially stable and all that) and no it wouldn't be the real parents by their side. I think what you meant was that because they specifically adopted her that she's not a mistake to them and they want her unlike her real parents.
missamazinggg 12
115, 108 said it right. I have a step dad who I consider my real parent because he takes care of me where my biological dad didn't really talk to me until I was 12.
ImaginaryFoe 1
My sister was adopted and raised by people who loved her as if she were their own. My parents spent 30 years looking for their kidnapped daughter. I realise it's not the most common situation but never assume birth parents didn't want their children. Chances are excellent that you don't know the full situation.
Aniki_Sohma 20
It shouldn't matter wether or not you're adopted if your adoptive parents love you, that's all that matters. Some biological parents are truly horrid people, so maybe it's better to be adopted to a caring family, than to be forced into a careless one.
amanda_say_whutt 9
I'm adopted. I've known my whole life I am. For me it hasn't changed a single thing. I love my parents so much. And I'm glad that I am adopted.
PlaySpades 21
For some people it might not matter but to others, the emotional burden of knowing their biological parents didn't want them affects them for the rest of their lives. Everyone is different but the most important thing is that you have at least one set of parents that love you.
ToniTigger 3
124, Your sister wasn't adopted! She was kidnapped! It is not the same and It's offensive that you're implying it is!
redmane 21
My father was adopted. He knew his biological parents and if they had not given him up, he would have been screwed up like the rest of that family. My grandparents, his adoptive parents, gave him nothing but love and kindness. Without them, he wouldn't have been the amazing person he was. Adoption isn't a bad thing.
emilyjgraham 34
I apologise, reading 108 when I just woke up really confused me :- reading it back makes sense haha sorry :)
ImaginaryFoe 1
I specifically said never assume you know the full situation and there you go, flying off the handle. I'm not saying kidnapping and adoption are the same. I'm damn sure not putting my full family history out here but you can be kidnapped and adopted - just think for a minute before you get all butthurt. My point is simply that adopted doesn't mean biological parents didn't want you.
alikayanna 0
Or maybe the sister was kidnapped, left at an orphanage by the kidnappers, and then adopted by a nice family who assumed the people that had abandoned her were her biological parents. Don't you watch Lifetime? ;)
ToniTigger 3
Yes, because that happens soooo often...
ToniTigger 3
165: You already started spilling the tea. By bringing it up you're making it seem like there's a connection between the two, when in fact there isn't.
Jrod85 0
165: Some thoughts just sound better in our minds.
SpriteAndBananas 14
I'm adopted and it's not bad at all :) I've had my moments where I've broken down coming to terms with it but it has made me a much better person.
SpriteAndBananas 14
And to clarify, my birth mom gave me up because she was young and couldn't take care of me and wanted a better life for me. She knew that she could not provide for me properly and knew that a family looking for a kid would be prepared and could take care of me the way she would have wanted for me.
Liammg 12
Hail Cthulhu Hail Cthulhu Hail Cthulhu Hail Cthulhu
SweetSora 2
That's a sucky way to find out...
everydayFML2121 5
Yeah I have no ******* clue how your parents handled keeping that from you all those years when they couldn't even handle a stupid situation like that.
ImaginaryFoe 1
I think what's worse is finding out you're not considered to be a member of the family by some other members. That's a hefty double blow.
icrest80 4
She couldn't figure it out when she was white and her parents were Asian? Two Wongs don't make a white! Ok that was so bad I'm gonna go kill myself now
immaMonsta 8
I'm sorry you had to find out like that OP
nabee26 15
I'm sorry. But am I missing something here??? How does it imply that you are adopted?? Kinda confused here. Someone please explain????
THE_A_TEEN 28
OP is not considered family because the uncle didn't share the family secret recipe for salad dressing, implying only family members by blood can learn this. The awkward silence and shocked expression support this.
B3Y0ND 3
Dear goodness, 62, you only need one question mark at the end of every question.
nabee26 15
So lemme get this straight. Any time someone says "family secret" and there's an awkward silence, someone is adopted? That's f'ing retarded. That in no way implies adopted.
sonuskos 6
99 here. The first sentence starts with op finding shes adopted. Her uncle's remark signified that the family recipe was only for blood relatives. The parents then had a "HOLY ****" expression signifying that op is indeed not blood related. If you still dont understand, i recommend you go see a doctor.
bitch_pleez 10
99, what's retarded is you. The fact that there was an awkward silence was not what means OP was adopted, that's the way OP found out. It's an FML because OP did not know he/she was adopted, and also because he/she had to find out like that. Edit: looks like I was beaten to it. Feel free to ignore me..
emilyjgraham 34
I'd say the uncle didn't even mean blood relatives, he probably meant his immediate family and ops parents were a bit too stupid. you know by the sounds of things I'm a little surprised they didn't accidentally blurt it out whilst drunk!
nevershouttami 11
Comment moderated for rule-breaking.
I don't get it :o
Codezlol 21
I almost missed it too. Just read it again and pay attention to the first sentence :P
dominic1221 6
Uh... what? Even without the first sentence, it doesn't take a genius to figure it out.
immaMonsta 8
OP thought they were a part of the biological family, but when they inquired about the food their uncle told them it was a secret family recipe. That pretty much clued OP in that they weren't related biologically to him or anyone else.
insertnameherr 11
he's saying that it's a secret family recipe so he can't tell him. only FAMILY members can know the recipe. OP not brin allowed to know makes him not part of the family. that's a sad way to find out. ????
ryanf395 1
But just saying it was a family secret doesnt mean she wasnt part of the family. Saying "its a family secret therefore u must not know" would clue her in
emilyjgraham 34
you know, I think the uncle probably meant his immediate family as in his wife and kids. op's parents just made it worse. what a crap way to find out!
uberdubers 3
69 - OP is female. I also just wanted to reply because you're comment #69.
onlychildFTW 34
Well the parent suck at keeping a straight face and acting all cool. I'm surprised you didn't find out sooner. And to be honest I would not have gotten this. I would have assumed the uncle was talking about just his wife, and kids family. Not nephews and everyone else.
sumfan316 4
Which makes no sense I'm not adopted and my family has a secret family recipe for steak marinate that they won't tell anyone.
westcoastkp 13
I dont get it either . just because it's a secret family recipe doesn't mean she's not a part of the family. this fml is stupid.
PlaySpades 21
My family also has a lot of secret family recipes that they have yet to pass down to the next generation. Unfortunately OPs parents weren't good at covering the uncle's slip up.
Blondi315 4
Dumbass.
jonriise18 3
110 is the biggest dumbass in this thread. Sorry.
pexy_fml 16
Op found out he is adopted and he will never know the secret salad dressing
elizabeth713 8
Snooki?
shaunr40k 20
I don't either
Jayms_fml 32
158 - LOL. Give 110 a break, she way only 13 years old when she wrote that comment. :P
tanay97 8
I don't see how it matters. It looks like your parents care about you a lot.
emilyjgraham 34
not speaking from experience but finding out your adopted even by the most loving couple in the world is a pretty big revelation, especially if you have no clue!
Hiimhaileypotter 53
If I ever adopted children, I wouldn't hide it from them until they were that old :( I'd make sure they knew as they were growing up that I had chosen to raise them, even though I wasn't their biological mommy, because I loved them. I'm sorry you had to find out at your age, OP. I know you must have been very upset.
the_anti_hipster 7
I'm adopted and that's exactly how my parents did it. They told me my whole life that they adopted me right after I was born because my birth mom was 15. I grew up knowing and I've never felt insecure or unwanted. My parents told me early to make sure I didn't feel like they were lying to me--OP's parents created this problem themselves by not being open and honest. You're obviously loved though, OP. hang in there!
ebonyirony 29
I'm also adopted! My parents also adopted three other kids. I always knew, too. It wasn't really a secret and I had no problem telling people but I dont like when people said it for me. (ie my dad telling everyone)
TahoeFMler 22
My husband and I gave a child up for adoption when we were 20 and 21. She has wonderful parents that have made sure she knows how loved she is by everyone. While I can't imagine how OP feels, everyone has a tactless family member that is just a dumbass. I hope OP's parents immediately did some serious "family talking."
ebonyirony 29
46 I really hope you didn't give your child up. It's a pet peeve of mine so I need to exploit it. I prefer the phrase "placed for adoption" whenever I hear given up, I feel like the child was unwanted. I had two older sisters in Romania. I'm hoping I wasnt given up, but placed in adoption for a better life.
the_anti_hipster 7
51, I don't think "giving up a child" equates uncaring parents. It's just a common term here and I seriously doubt ANYONE with a conscience doesn't think about their child after they are placed. I like to think my birth mom was in a tight spot and wanted me to have better than she had, just like 46 and her husband.
ebonyirony 29
59- I just think word choice is important.
hatesfate 6
68 - I think their wording was great. When I hear "placed up for adoption" I think of parents who don't care. However when I hear "given up" I think of a parent who cared enough to give that child a chance at a better home. Regardless of whatever expression you or I choose to use, it's not very tactful to correct someone's choice of words who had to make a decision as tough as that one could be.
ebonyirony 29
Well you think differently. I respect that. However I've had 18 years of hearing it. Giving away versus lovingly placing. Again, I respect your opinion and stuff.
B3Y0ND 3
To be honest, I'd feel like I'd be wanted more when being adopted because your parents are wanting a kid to raise and love. Rather than it being an "oops we're financially and romantically stable I GUESS we'll have this kid" situation I was in. I don't know- just my two cents.
iGrassYourSister 6
I think it should be prohibited for parents who use pony avatars in internetz to adopt children
thebeautybleeds 17
96- 7 isn't even an adult. -.-
ebonyirony 29
91- it's my secret to tell. Yes. I am petty. I'm seventeen it's 430am. Let me have my opinion. And I don't care if it's tasteless. You could say the same about your comment; or anyone's for that matter. If you don't like the taste then don't eat it. Obviously mine was just tasty enough to have you want to add your two sense. I wasnt judging anyone or putting them down. I disagreed with something. I'm allowed to do that. I don't think I did it by sounding very nasty. If I did I apologise.
Mahtari 19
I'm going to adopt so many Japanese children. It will be glorious.
Hiimhaileypotter 53
96- I'm 17 and as of right now I'm not planning on having children at all (neither adopted nor otherwise). Whether that changes due to financial/home situation as I get older remains to be seen. I really don't think it's fair of you to make judgements of me based on the picture I chose to share. What do my likes and dislikes have to do with how qualified I am to adopt children later?
penguino530 1
I was adopted and told when I was five it must be better like me than u
TahoeFMler 22
Wow! Pardon me.... I/we PLACED our daughter for adoption. That isn't accurate though. I didn't place her in an anonymous setting. I/we GAVE her to her wonderful parents at the hospital. It was great! I (and my hubby) bawled and had a rough few years. Now, 12+ years later, we are at peace and hope our child is at peace. Again, I'm really sorry for OP to have such a brutal situation for sharing such a personal fact. I hope details were cut from this post.
kittykat1501 31
this is exactly what my mom says she'll do if she adopts.
whostolemylama 12
That's when you bust out the awkward turtle to the rescue. Or be less clever and show boobs. When its awkward, show boobs. Always works. (And jazz hands, but not in this situation)
Rowdey 10
Dude, what the **** are you talking about?
appleshowers3 0
I don't think they even know what they are talking about anymore .
THE_A_TEEN 28
I felt...a disturbance. As if millions of brain cells all cried out in terror, and then it was silent. I feel dumber already.
kotabones 0
I believe it would work its not incest.
The_F3rris 11
I dont know...I might have done the jazz hands.
jewwybeanzzz 10
Aw sad. Sorry OP. But really that is your family since they've raised you and all. Hopefully you'll be let in on these family secrets ;)
Mideoyeo 12
I'm sorry you had to find out like this OP! It was wrong of your parents to hide it from you. I hope you guys talked it out though!