Does borrowing money from family always make things awkward?

I’ve always hated asking people for money, even when I know they’d help me without thinking twice. As a single mom, there have been a few times when an unexpected bill hit at exactly the wrong time and I had to swallow my pride and ask a relative for help.

I finally asked one a while back and they turned me down pretty harshly. I understood that they didn’t owe me anything, but the way they said it honestly stuck with me. From then on, I’ve been even more hesitant to ask anyone even when I’m struggling.

I’m wondering how other people deal with this. Have you ever had to borrow money from a friend or family member, and did it make things weird between you afterward?