Older family friend kept calling a 5-year-old his ‘little girlfriend’ and saying he’d marry her when she grew up — her savage response shut him down
We like to hold onto the childhood memories that make us smile. However, a few occurrences stay with us because they made us uncomfortable and are difficult to forget. An Instagram creator, Jihan, who goes by @jihanessentials, shared a similar unsettling instance from when she was 5 years old. In her video on Thursday, August 13, 2026, she explained how an older family friend repeatedly used to tell her that she was his "little girlfriend." While sharing about the experience, Jihan said that even at that age, she knew exactly how she felt about it, and her response was far more blunt than he probably expected.
In the Instagram post, Jihan recalled that the man would greet her with lines like, “There’s my little girlfriend,” and tell her, “I’m going to marry you when you grow up.” Although she was only five, she remembered feeling uncomfortable whenever he said it. One day, while they were at a pool and he repeated the same thing, the then-little girl finally decided she had had enough. She looked him in the eye and said, "No, you're not." When he asked why, she gave him an answer that left no room for debate. She said, “Because when I grow up, you'll be dead.” She then swam away. The moment stayed with her because it showed her who she is. Even today, sees herself as someone who speaks up, tells the truth, and says difficult things when necessary.
While recounting the experience, Jihan connected that instinct to a bigger question: “Who were you when you were five?" She wondered if growing up and being influenced by others can change who we naturally are. But that incident gave her the answer — No. “You are who you are even when you are small," she confidently said. Interestingly, research also suggests that our traits during childhood can be carried forward into adulthood. A 2026 longitudinal study found clear links between childhood temperament and adult personality. The researchers said that some initial factors could predict parts of a person’s adult values and features by 12 to 14 years, while other traits stayed fairly stable over time.
Some characteristics do change with age, with self-control increasing and negative emotions and outgoingness generally decreasing. The study suggests that while we change as we grow up, some parts of who we are can stay with us. Many internet users also found Jihan’s story relatable. @tunbridgehillfarm shared, “I read my report from pre-school, and it describes me now still. Those teachers know." @sweetpeabshiee added, "I'm 34. But my inner voice still belongs to my 5-year-old self." @cre8tivespirit applauded her comeback, saying, "That was amazing."
For more of her content, follow @Jihanessentials on Instagram.