Why would my son's newly engaged ex-girlfriend randomly text him a photo of her wearing an engagement ring?

[Anonymous]

They broke up due to living on opposite coasts. According to him it was pretty mutual. Sad but not messy. They have not communicated since Christmas 2023. He randomly got a photo text from her over the weekend with no caption, just her hand showing off her engagement ring. What motivates such a text from a 27 year old woman and what reaction is she looking for?

[Anonymous]

She looking for him to text her “Congrats! Wish you the best!” (Or rather, if he’s normal that’s what she’s looking for bc that’s how a normal person would respond. )

[Anonymous]

She's looking for attention

[Anonymous]

She probably got drunk and said “this’ll show him.” If she has any sense she cringed in embarrassment when in a sober state. Sad!

[Anonymous]

Her intent doesn’t matter. He can ignore, block, or text back “Congrats!” . Anything more than a cordial reply is inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she’s just sharing her news. Sometimes when something big happens to someone, like an engagement or a pregnancy, they think it’s as monumental to the rest of the world as it is to them. Or maybe she just thinks he’d care to know she’s engaged and would wish her well.

Sounds like YOU are having feelings about this, OP. Why?

[Anonymous]

What does it matter, OP? He can send a quick, “Congratulations, wishing you all the best!”

Instead, he…ran to Mommy?

And you…ran to the Internet?

[Anonymous]

Either she considers them friends and is sharing good news, or she considers him her one true love and is hoping he'll show up and OBJECT on the day, or he's lying about the mutual but messy and she's showing him that she's moved on better than he has because it was not mutual and/or acrimonious.

Not enough information to be sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does it matter, OP? He can send a quick, “Congratulations, wishing you all the best!”

Instead, he…ran to Mommy?

And you…ran to the Internet?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does it matter, OP? He can send a quick, “Congratulations, wishing you all the best!”

Instead, he…ran to Mommy?

And you…ran to the Internet?

How about "Good for you."?

[Anonymous]

You're so cringe, OP. Surely you understand that she wanted to share her good news? And vis-a-vis the ex, it's also a slight dig, but not that terrible of a dig? He has to be a big boy and congratulate her, you know that, right? Does he know that?

Maybe the reason they broke up was that you and your son are just too stupid.

[Anonymous]

You want us to say that she's a terrible person and is looking to twist the knife or something?

There might be a tiny bit of that going on (which would be entirely understandable), but mostly she's just happy and wants everyone to know. That is perfectly normal.

Your son sends back congratulations and stops thinking about it. And you should stop AGONIZING.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s really weird that he shared that with you. Most guys that age would just ignore and not mention it to anyone. Especially not their mom.

[Anonymous]

She's bragging. Let her live.

OP you mind your business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want us to say that she's a terrible person and is looking to twist the knife or something?

There might be a tiny bit of that going on (which would be entirely understandable), but mostly she's just happy and wants everyone to know. That is perfectly normal.

Your son sends back congratulations and stops thinking about it. And you should stop AGONIZING.

I posted this because I am old and out of touch, so I'm crowd sourcing on here. I don't know if this is common or strange with kids this age. My gut reaction was this is rude to her fiancé, but again, I'm old.