People rally around parents having unexpected reactions to 18-year-old daughter's engagement

We all have seen and heard about people’s different reactions to the same situation. It can evoke different responses based on varied factors. For instance, getting engaged can be a joyful celebration in some cases, while in others, it may be a disappointing occasion. A young woman, Hailey Brown—who goes by @haybray06 on TikTok—shared a video revealing she was engaged. The 18-year-old wanted to surprise her parents with the news. For several reasons, the parents didn’t seem as delighted as one would be. On the contrary, they were at a loss for words. Though Brown was dissatisfied with their reaction, people sided with her parents, deeming their response valid. 

Brown had decorated the kitchen countertop area and placed a cake on the table. The young woman showed off her ring to the camera but didn’t say a word. She kept her phone to record and called her parents to break the news. “My heart is racing,” she exclaimed. Her parents sat by the kitchen and waited for Brown to share what she had to say. “I made something for everyone,” Brown said, hinting towards the cake covered with a cloth. “It says surprise on it,” the 18-year-old added. Brown was nervous but proud and wanted to share the moment with her parents.

“I don’t know how you guys are going to react, but this is important,” she said. After a few seconds, Brown lifted the cover for her folks to read what the cake said. “We’re enraged? Why are you enraged?” the mom said, startled by the cake. The dad looked on silently, trying to understand what the scenario meant. After a few seconds of silence, the mom understood what Brown was trying to convey. She asked, “Okay, who proposed to whom?” Brown mentioned that her partner had proposed to her. “Are you going to say anything?” Brown asked.

Her parents, shocked yet blunt in expression, had no idea what to say. Her mom joked to break the awkwardness and said, “Why are you so enraged?” The parents shared basic congratulations with their daughter but were still at a loss for words. Contrary to the wholesome and energetic reactions people usually had, the parents responded blandly. “When did this happen?” the mom asked. Brown shared an inaudible response, after which her mom asked her whether she was happy. “We just want you to be happy,” she explained. Brown assured them she was happy and her mom replied, “Then that’s it. We’re happy for you.”

Toward the end of the video, the mom asked her daughter to give them time to take in the news, “We just have to let it sink in. You just turned 18.” Though Brown titled their reaction “fake” in the caption, many supported her parents and said they had every right to be astounded. @marasheaxoxo said, “One day, you will understand why your parents reacted this way. Trust me.” @jessie_knowsbest wrote, “If you’re more nervous than excited to tell someone news like this, your heart knows why.” @cuzcate remarked, “If I’d pulled this when I was 18, my parents would have a heart attack. Yours are better than most.” @gabriellag_az added, “I was so nervous to tell my parents at 18 but not when I was engaged again at 27. It all makes sense down the road.”

You can follow Hailey Brown (@haybray06) on TikTok for more content based on lifestyle.