The Others

I have finally met the boyfriend's family. I received an invitation to break fast with them on monday and so I graciously accepted. My dad freaked out a little and delved into the "you're a girl, and you shouldnt go to a male's house unchaperoned" bit but then he relented because I had already told the bf that I would go and I had to honour my promise. Thankfully, my family was tremendouly supportive after hearing my gripes and worries about making a good impression and bla bla bla. I felt immensely comforted. I love love LOVE my family.

The dinner experience at his house wasnt as harrowing as I had expected it to be long before I actually had a boyfriend. Yes, when I was single, I did wonder what it would be like to have to visit the other side's family. I was expecting a lot of questions but I received only one or two. I was prepared to answer but no, no questions. So I followed the rule of thumb, 'dont talk unless spoken to' and I think it worked.

She was cordial to me throughout the dinner and the subsequent cake-cutting (it was his sister's psuedo birthday) and she insisted that I be in the photographs and even grabbed/hugged my arm so I couldnt run away. Hmm. Hmm indeed.

But then, all the sugar coated niceties (how do you spell it) came to an almost abrupt end...well, not exactly that, rather the sugar coat came off the niceties and then came the frankness in her. She dived into the mother-to-only son's/child-gf talk with utter seriousness that I had to stifle my laughter. Sigh. I understand where she's coming from. I honestly do. She's a practical lady and at some level, I understand her rationale for not wanting her son to date seriously. Ive actually heard her argument in some form or another from another source. My dad.

So I just smiled and nodded my head while in my head, I secretely uttered thanks to my dad and family for training me for that very day. Ive heard it before. I wasnt taken by surprise and better still, I wasnt afraid. After all, if I can survive my dad's version, I can pretty much survive anyone's :)

And so I left his place feeling nothing really. Happy? no. Depressed? No. Im just thankful that Ive formally met her and thats that.

And Ive learnt to appreciate my family more.