My mom had always been overbearing when it came to my relationships. She would show up uninvited, track my location, and even hide in my closet during dates. I thought I had found the perfect guy in Theo, but my mom’s behavior was about to put that to the test.
During a dinner date, my mom appeared out of nowhere and joined our table, handing Theo a list of “RULES FOR DATING MY DAUGHTER.” The list was ridiculous, with rules like attending church monthly and submitting his reading list for approval. To my surprise, Theo handled the situation with grace and humor, but ultimately decided to leave.
I was mortified and expected the worst, but three days later, Theo called and invited me and my mom on a date. We spent the day together, debating literature and enjoying a picnic by the lake. When my mom slipped into the water, Theo jumped in to rescue her, making jokes and helping her up gently. That moment seemed to shift my mom’s opinion of him.
Two months later, Theo proposed with a list of his own, titled “REASONS I LOVE YOU.” He wrote that not even my mom’s list could scare him away. I said yes, and our relationship has been going strong ever since.
Interestingly, my mom has also undergone a transformation. She’s started taking Pilates, joined a book club, and even bought a new red jacket. We’ve become closer, but also more independent, and I’m grateful for the change in our relationship [1].
