How do I let her know that I don't want to marry him?
@mildredtabitha (16412)
Nairobi, Kenya
March 23, 2025 12:17pm CST
My neighbor has been very kind and generous to me. I always appreciate her everyday and she is aware I am grateful. She likes me a lot. I don't know why. Recently she told me that I'm like her daughter and that she will always see me as her daughter. She is always happy to see me. She trusts me with her house keys and she has currently made me in charge of packing the items she sales and making sure they are safe.
Well, Saturday morning there were some women who visited her. I was in the extra house counting the items she was planning to sell. I heard her tell them ," I want this girl to marry my son who is in highschool". I thought to myself that I hope she is not talking about me but then she shouted, " isn't it Mildred, you will marry my son". I was shocked and you couldn't imagine the look and disappointment on my face.
Last week she had jokingly told me that she will give me as a wife to his firstborn child but I told her that he was like my younger brother. Then she said she was joking. I told her that I knew she was joking. I assumed it ended there until her Saturday morning confession to the other women. Her second son is in highschool. I am 10 years older than him. He is my younger brother to me. He is in highschool in a neighboring country.
Two months ago her second son was in Kenya for the holidays. Every week he kept telling me to be his girlfriend but I insisted that to me he is like my younger brother but he never believed. Frequently I kept praying wondering how I would convince him to see me as his elder sister. So around four weeks ago when he was about to leave and go back to highschool outside Kenya, I got an idea.
So I showed him my highschool ID card which thankfully had my year of birth and date of admission. All of a sudden his eyes lit up. He couldn't believe it. He started seeing me like his big sister and completely stopped his relationship requests. He even started advising me and saying that I'm late for marriage and that I should try get a child. I was happy he could finally see me as his sister and he travelled back to school happily.
The problem now is how do I tell his mother that I don't want to marry her younger son? I tried but she said age is just a number. I don't know how to make her abort that idea from her mind without it affecting our friendship. What do you think I should tell her?
I don't want to be rude. I'm trying to avoid curses.
The image is of the chicken I am eating this Sunday night. I bought it for only half a dollar. It is fried and tasty.










9 people like this
10 responses
@snowy22315 (186815)
• United States
23 Mar
I would say that you don't believe in arranged marriages, and want to pick your own pArtner
3 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
23 Mar
That sounds perfect. I hope to find her in a good mood before I drop that to her. She is always busy and I don't know how she gets when she is angry. May God help me
Thank you

2 people like this
@snowy22315 (186815)
• United States
23 Mar
@mildredtabitha It'll be OK, she likes you..

2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144474)
• United States
23 Mar
Just tell the mother that you aren't interested in her son as a marriage prospect and you see him as a younger brother.
I hope telling her straight out that you aren't interested will make an impression on her. If not, you might have to be rude and hope she understands you won't marry him.
Good luck with this!
2 people like this

@DaddyEvil (144474)
• United States
24 Mar
@mildredtabitha You're welcome.
Sometimes saying something straight out is the best way to make someone understand when they don't want to hear what you're telling them.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
@DaddyEvil okay. I will do that.
I'm glad she hasn't brought up the topic in two days now. But I will do this before end month.

1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Mar
Thank you.
Well I did and she said age is just a number. Now I need to try say it again perhaps I might need to wear a serious face while talking again. I hope she will understand.
Being rude is my last option.
1 person likes this

@kaylachan (76370)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Mar
Just be honest and tell her the truth. That the joke has gone to far, and her son isn't interested you in that way. Feelings might get hurt, but that's how you make friendships stronger, by being honest even if it might hurt. She'll get over it, especially when she talks to her son.
1 person likes this

@kaylachan (76370)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Mar
@mildredtabitha You're welcome. At the end of the day it's the best. You're not doing the relationship between you any favors by suffering in silance. It's already putting a strain on you.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
@kaylachan I will make sure to remember this. It's really hard to practically do it.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Mar
Thank you very much.
Hurting her at her older age is the last thing on my mind. But I might need to do so soon before the idea gets deeply engraved in her heart. Thank you.
1 person likes this

@rakski (134948)
• Philippines
24 Mar
sounds like your neighbor truly values you, but she has gotten a little carried away with her affection.
You’ve already been kind and clear with her son, and it worked.
He now sees you as an older sister. That was a wise approach!
Now, with his mother, you need to be just as clear but gentle. Good luck!
1 person likes this

@rakski (134948)
• Philippines
24 Mar
@mildredtabitha yes, that is very tricky and some can blackmail you emotionally
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
@rakski I also don't like blackmails. If she attempts it I might need to move to a new place completely.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Mar
The gentle part is a little tricky and hard currently but I sure will know how soon, hopefully. Thank you very much. 

1 person likes this

@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Mar
Wow! This is very easy. Maybe I should start with this first. I should find a way to contact her son although he is now in boarding school and might access his phone in April.
I'm sure he will be able to convince his mother to drop that idea. Thank you very much.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (349339)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Mar
@mildredtabitha Don't get into a discussion with the mother. Keep saying calmly and politely that you don't want to marry her son. Don't into why or why not. Just keep saying 'no'.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
@JudyEv yes. I have really avoided such a discussion and I'm glad she has not brought it up again for two days now. If she does it again I will continue refusing her suggestions.

1 person likes this

@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
26 Mar
I'm so glad she has not brought up the topic for three days now. I don't know how long before she starts again but I'm preparing myself for a good answer. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
29 Mar
@grenery8 alright. I will stay strong
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (15203)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
28 Mar
@mildredtabitha i hope she sensed she went overboard. stay strong and welcome

1 person likes this

@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Mar
I will. Thank you 
I need much grace to know how to say it.


1 person likes this
@aninditasen (16893)
• Raurkela, India
24 Mar
You have already made it clear to her son so no point in picking up the marriage topic in front of her. Just avoid when she picks up the topic.
1 person likes this

@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
Alright. Thank you for the advice. I will do so

1 person likes this

@sw8sincere (5548)
• Philippines
24 Mar
That’s such a tricky situation! You clearly appreciate and respect her, so maybe just be firm but kind. Let her know you see her son as family and that your feelings won’t change. You could also say you value your friendship too much to let this create any awkwardness. Hopefully, with time, she’ll understand and let it go.
1 person likes this

@sw8sincere (5548)
• Philippines
24 Mar
@mildredtabitha That’s a big step! Hope you find the right moment and it goes well for you.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
@sw8sincere thank you. I hope so too.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
24 Mar
I hope before the end of this month I will have already found the perfect time to confess this to her. Thank you. I hope the same too. 


@pitsipeahie (5123)
•
24 Mar
Just be honest and tell it up straight. No one can convince or force you if you do not want to.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16412)
• Nairobi, Kenya
25 Mar
Yes. I cannot be forced. I just don't want her to entertain that idea in her head.
1 person likes this
