How a TikTok Trend Really Lead to My Divorce

A woman, who did not give her name, sent us a letter. She shared a story that left us a little confused. It all started when her husband made a mess of a relationship trend on TikTok. From there, things went from bad to worse, and now she is on the verge of a divorce. Let’s find out more about what happened between the two of them and how a harmless trend turned their marriage on its head.

Their relationship has been going through a rough patch of late.

My husband (34M) and I have been married for twelve years, and things have been a little rocky lately. We decided to spend more quality time together in an attempt to reconnect and perhaps inject some fun into our relationship. So, we were out when some popular content creators with their cameras approached us, asking if we’d be willing to participate in a relationship test. We agreed
only to discover that he doesn’t know anything about me.

I took the lead in starting the test. It turned out to be quite entertaining. They were firing questions about all sorts of details — not just the basics. I easily navigated through details such as my husband’s date of birth, the names of his childhood friends, the place where we had our first date, the title of his favorite childhood book, and even the quirky nickname he had for his favorite stuffed animal as a child.

Her husband responded to the questions with little enthusiasm.

Later, when it was his turn, things got a little shaky. I couldn’t help but notice that my husband’s answers were lackluster and, in some cases, way off. When asked about my birthday, my husband of 12 years admitted to having saved it on his Google Calendar but confessed that he couldn’t remember it. Similarly, he struggled with my maiden name and even got our anniversary date wrong. I was shocked, hurt, and embarrassed by his lack of knowledge about some basic aspects of our life.

After my husband stumbled through his round, I was beyond angry. It was disheartening to watch him struggle with questions that should have been a cinch. But the real blow came when the video was uploaded online and the comments section became a battleground of hurtful remarks. When the TikTok started trending, my heart sank with every negative comment under the post.

People were saying things like, «He doesn’t even know her birthday, what’s he doing?» and «She obviously cares more than he cares. One person actually said, «Imagine being married and not knowing these basic things. Yikes.» It felt like every comment was a jab at our relationship, like they knew more about us than we did.

He put it down to his having a bad memory.

When I confronted my husband, he blamed it on a lousy memory. «What can I do? I have a terrible memory?» He said he still cared, but that didn’t make the comments any less painful. I begged the content creators to take the video down and spare us the ongoing drama. At first, they were stubborn, claiming it was one of their most popular TikToks. Finally, after much begging, they agreed to take it down.

Even though the video is gone, the damage has been done. Those comments planted seeds of doubt that just won’t go away. So, faced with the mess and the sinking feeling that our connection might not be as solid as I thought, I’ve decided to call it quits and file for divorce. The public embarrassment and the aftermath were just too much for me.

I filed for divorce and moved out. Now my husband tells everyone that I overreacted and that I’m the one who ruined our marriage. But I feel I did the right thing.

We suggest our anonymous reader consider the dynamics here.

The scenario you’ve described, which began as a seemingly innocent encounter, spiraled into a distressing situation for you and your husband. It’s disheartening to read about the unintended consequences of what should have been a light-hearted activity. Your decision to file for divorce after the fallout is undoubtedly significant and deeply personal. But it’s important to reflect on the dynamics at play here.

First and foremost, it’s important to recognize the emotional toll that being under the public microscope can take on any relationship. Even the most intimate moments can be laid bare for public consumption in an age where social media amplifies every aspect of our lives. The hurtful comments that you received on the TikTok video have undoubtedly made the situation worse, adding an external layer of stress and embarrassment to what was already a fragile moment.

Try to understand the complexity of human memory.

But it’s also important to recognize the complexity of human memory and the individual differences that exist in every relationship. While your ability to recall intricate details about your husband’s life is commendable, it’s unfair to equate his struggle with memory with a lack of care or commitment.

Lapses in memory are a common aspect of the human experience, influenced by various factors such as stress, distraction, and neurological differences. Your husband’s admission of having a «lousy memory» should not be dismissed lightly, but rather approached with empathy and understanding.

Let your feelings be known.

Communication is paramount in situations like this. Confronting your husband about how hurt and embarrassed you feel was a necessary step, but it’s important to foster an environment of open dialogue and mutual support.

Seeking professional guidance or couples counseling could provide a constructive space to address underlying issues and rebuild trust, rather than assigning blame or resorting to ultimatums.

The decision to file for divorce is a deeply personal one, and it’s clear that you’ve carefully considered your options. However, it’s worth considering whether this decision reflects a genuine irreconcilable difference or a knee-jerk reaction to external pressures. Divorce should not be seen as the only solution, but rather as a last resort after all avenues of reconciliation have been explored.

Ultimately, relationships are complex, and navigating them in the midst of public scrutiny can be extremely challenging. As you move forward, we urge you to prioritize self-reflection, empathy, and open communication. Whether you choose to reconcile or go your separate ways, may you find peace and fulfillment in the journey ahead.

What side are you on? In your opinion, should the wife have some leeway with her husband, or was her action justified? For example, there’s another woman who wants to get a divorce from her husband because of the children of his sister.