I will never forget the first time I met my boyfriend’s family. I was sitting in the drive way of his home struggling to catch my breath because of the mini panic attack I was experiencing. I was so terrified that I wouldn’t be accepted. I was scared that they would think I wasn’t good enough for their sweet son. I remember getting of my car and feeling huge butterflies floating around my stomach as I walked to the front door to ring their doorbell. I remember the door opening and I remember the hug that I was embraced in. Looking back, I can’t help but laugh at myself for the nerves I was feeling three years ago as I approached his home. I had absolutely nothing to worry about. I was welcomed into a home full of unconditional love that has continued to be in my heart over the past three years.
While I thank my boyfriend on the daily for the wonderful things he has done for me and for our relationship, I realize that I haven’t done the same for his family. They made him into the amazing man he is and for that I am eternally grateful.
To my boyfriend’s father: Thank you for being a steady figure in his life. Thank you for teaching him how to be a gentleman and for raising him in a God-serving home. Thank you for teaching him to always to his best and for pushing him to ensure he achieved it. Thank you for all of the hilarious stories about his childhood. Thank you for all the wonderful meals and accepting the fact that I don’t like pie. Thank you for playing games with us and laughing with us in everything we do.
To my boyfriend’s mother: Thank you for all of your encouragement. Thank you for the sweet gifts on the holidays and my birthday. Thank you for being like a second mom to me. Thank you for the sweet texts and all of the laughter. Thank you for teaching your son compassion. Thank you for always asking how I’m doing and making me feel loved every time I step into your home.
To my boyfriend’s siblings: Thank you for rocking out with me in the car to literally every kind of music. Thank you for making me feel like part of the family and opening up to me when you just need someone to talk to. To the oldest-thank you for always giving him someone to look up to (even though he’ll never admit it). To the middle brother-thank you for always cracking jokes with your brother and constantly keeping him laughing. To the little sister-thank you for idolizing your brother. You’ll never realize how much you mean to him.
To all of you: Thank you for always opening up your home to me. Thank you for including me in all you do and making me really feel like part of your family. Thank you for being nonjudgmental from the moment we met. Most importantly, thank you for supporting the relationship I have with your son and brother. I am grateful to have been accepted into your family with such open arms. I promise to always take care of him. I promise to always ensure that he is being the very best man he can be and I promise to love him unconditionally.
