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Graduating from college should be a proud moment.

The following story is about a young woman who graduated and was the first in her family to earn a degree.

Her father, however, repeatedly dismissed her associate’s degree and complained about attending her graduation.

After the ceremony, he became angry when she planned to leave with her cousin and accused her of wasting his time.

Read the full story below for all the details.

AITAH for refusing to apologize to my father first?

About three weeks ago, I (21F) graduated college with my associate’s degree.

I’m the first person in our bloodline, and it’s massive to have obtained any degree other than a high school diploma.

Grandma from both sides had 6+ children.

My father (54M) made it his life mission to make sure and tell me that my degree was nothing serious because it wasn’t university.

This young woman felt hurt that her father didn’t care about her graduation.

I had asked him to take me to my graduation because it was in the city and difficult to navigate.

Apparently, that was too much to ask for.

He kept reminding me that my achievement was nothing serious.

And that he shouldn’t have had to miss work because of it.

I had wasted his time when he could’ve been at work making money.

Her father yelled at her when he learned that she would go shopping with her cousin.

Towards the ceremony, we’d gotten over the little dispute.

But after the ceremony, walking back to his truck, I had plans to leave with a cousin of mine.

We would go and shop for necessities for the graduation party I was having the next day.

Apparently, this derailed him, and he started yelling and cussing at me.

He was saying, why did I make him come if I was just going to leave with someone else.

And that I made him look like an idiot wasting his time there.

Her father stopped talking to her.

He didn’t even bother waiting to make sure my cousin was there to pick me up.

He just sped out of the lot without a care in the world.

He ruined the day completely for me when it was something I should’ve been proud of.

He made me feel like all my hard work meant nothing, all because I asked him to be there for me.

We haven’t spoken since that day, and we live in the same house.

He won’t speak to me. He won’t even look at me.

Now, her mother is convincing her to apologize to him.

Just recently, he had a medical condition where half his face is paralyzed.

And the doctor said it happens from extreme stress or anger.

Now, he probably blames me for that too, and hates me.

My mother says I need to apologize and put away my pride because one day he could randomly pass, and us not have spoken.

So, AITA for refusing to put away my pride and apologize first?

I honestly feel bad for OP. She worked hard for an achievement that meant a lot to her family history.

But her father didn’t seem to care, and instead chose to make the day about himself.

His health problems may be frightening, but I don’t think she was responsible for what happened to him.

Let’s check out the comments of other people on this story.

This user shares their personal thoughts.

Here’s another honest opinion.

Don’t let them mess with you, advises this one.

This one is congratulating her.

If you enjoyed this story, check out this post about a woman who finally blew up after years of being treated as the second-best sibling.

Finally, people are saying the same thing.

Sometimes, the graduation cap deserves more respect than the family drama.