She got it from her mamma

So this whole dating experience has been quite interesting for me. Not only do I have a lot to learn about myself, but I have a lot to learn about my expectations as well. It's not as easy as I thought to love unconditionally as well as feel deserving of the adoration I receive. This past Sunday we took a giant step, not necessarily for him, but for me. I introduced him to my family. Disclaimer: I haven't introduced a boyfriend to my family since high school.

Before I begin with details I would tell anyone that the biggest challenge of this relationship is the way we view life. We both believe in God and love others as Jesus did. I always worry what people will think and in doing so I act like the person that I feel everyone will respect. He's more carefree and more genuine when it comes to personality. So if we were to make a comparison, I am the 'good girl' he's the 'rebel'.

We decided mothers day was the best time to make the introductions. Both of my sisters and their families were coming into town and my grandparents would be at my moms as well. His sister and her family were planning dinner at his moms, so needless to say we both ate a lot on Mothers Day! We got to my moms house around 12:30 or so and the drinking began. Laughing, drinking, horsing around with the kids, belittling each other, just being the typical family I've always known. He was pretty quiet, probably just observing. (Definitely made a good impression on my mom by talking History with her..) All in all, I was happy with the introduction.

We left to go to his mom's house where I wasn't quite sure what I'd find. We walk out back and his mom, sister, and brother in law were playing cards and drinking lemonade. They immediately welcomed me in and got to know me. We all set the dinner table together, shared laughs and afterwards played cards again. His mom was showing me scrap books and including me in all the stories they were sharing. As we left his mom hugged me and welcomed me back anytime.

It caused me to really think about my perspective of who I am and where I came from. I work so hard to have people see me with my 'shit together'. Yet I fall short of loving people and being who I know I should be all the time. This guy loves people and would do anything for anyone and clearly gets his sincerity from his supportive family. I kind of felt like it should have been flip-flopped; he came from my family, I came from his. All this to say, I am continually learning more about myself than I ever thought I would from a guy whom I wasn't going to give a chance.