Angie Peang and Michael Lee, who were first cousins, got married in 2019. Since their home state of Utah doesn’t allow cousins to marry—it’s actually considered a crime there—they traveled to Colorado to have their wedding.
In Utah, marrying a first cousin can lead to serious consequences like a fine or even jail time. Because of that, their relationship was not accepted by many, including their own families.
Angie says that being cousins made their connection feel even stronger, not in a strange or inappropriate way, but because they already shared a bond and similar personalities. She explained that they didn’t grow up closely together, so the relationship didn’t feel like breaking a taboo.
After getting married, they had a son named Eric. Some people were worried the baby might have health problems because his parents were related, but thankfully, Eric was born healthy. Studies show there is a higher risk of genetic disorders for children of cousins, but Eric didn’t have any of those issues.
Sadly, just a year after their son was born, Michael passed away from a drug overdose. He had been struggling with addiction for years and had been in and out of rehab. Angie says she wasn’t allowed to speak at his funeral, which hurt her deeply. She had hoped to use that moment to encourage their family to come together and support each other, especially for Eric’s sake.
Although Angie is still not close with Michael’s side of the family, she says her extended family has shown love and support for her and her son. They’ve been happy to watch Eric grow up.
After Michael’s death, Angie started speaking out to support changing the laws against cousin marriage. She even started a petition in Utah to try to get the rules changed, but it didn’t pass. Angie also helps run a Facebook group where people in cousin relationships can share their stories. She often shares her journey with Michael to show others that their love was real and meaningful.
