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It’s here. Tonight’s the night. After roughly three months of officially dating and three months of getting to know each other, Lila and I will sit down at a casual yet tasteful restaurant and break bread with my parents.
I’m not really sure how I feel. Well, that’s not true. I can name six emotions off the top of my head that can describe how I feel (anxious, terrified, nervous, excited, happy, proud). No, it’s there feels like there’s a weight attached to this one. You see, this is my first relationship out of college, and Lila and I didn’t have any mutual friends before we met so that takes away any idea of social padding that I’ve had the luxury of in past relationships.
More than anything, this feels like a weight has been lifted. The initial meeting with the parents is always most stressful, and we’re in the home stretch. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and man, is it sweet.
Before I start celebrating, though, we have to make it through the dinner. Sure, it’s not like we’re both going to forget how be human beings and start throwing shit across the room, but there are still a few things that I’ve had on repeat all week.
Are we rushing into this?
No, not our relationship. I mean literally, are we rushing this dinner. My dad texted me on Saturday morning and told me that I owe him for my car insurance bill, and also that he hoped Lila and I were putting together a plan on how to introduce her to my parents. Also that he enjoys my writing, but we’ll touch on that later. Either way, I jumped into action and started looking for dates that work for both of us, and lo and behold, this Friday was the best for both of us.
In the past, I’ve always had weeks ahead of time before introducing my girlfriend to my parents, which makes me wonder if we planned this too soon. But at the same time, it’s not like my parents are monsters and I like to think that if my girlfriend makes me happy, it’ll make them happy. Plus, like, I already met her parents, so this seems like something I’m overthinking.
It’s not a matter of if PGP comes up, but when.
All parties involved in this situation know that I write for PGP. My girlfriend and I met through PGP. My parents follow me on all social media platforms and decide which columns they want to read based on the titles (probably a smart move). So, it’s going to come up in some capacity. I’m reading through my past columns right now just to double check and make sure there’s nothing that I wrote for the internet that I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about over dinner. As of right now, I’ve counted four in the last six months. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
What’s going to happen if they don’t get along?
Let me be clear up front: this is not a scenario that I see happening. However, it’s something that you have to take into consideration at some point. It’s not like we’d break up, right? Like, I don’t think my girlfriend will ever put me in a position where I have to choose between her and my parents, and if she did, I would probably choose my parents. That is, unless, the reason that I was in that position was because my parents literally tried to murder my girlfriend, in which case there would definitely have to be a dialogue before any decisions were made.
I really hope we didn’t botch the restaurant.
When planning this, my parents had two requests: the place we went had to have a good beer list, and it had to be casual. I pitched five different spots that I thought would match the description, and the place we landed on was a brewery. Now, my parents are very, very laid back people, but at the same time, “casual” means different things to different people. The last thing I want is for my parents to roll up to a bar and think that I don’t know how to hold my own in an adult restaurant. I mean, they’d be right, but I don’t want them to know that.
I’m sure it’s going to be fine. I’m sure it’s going to be a pleasant time; we’ll part ways and laugh about how nervous we were. But in the meantime, I’ll be on edge and trying to think positive thoughts.
Wish me luck. Cheers, y’all. .
So basically you’re hoping your parents read this beforehand to ease the tension.
How drunk are you guys going to get at Revolution?
Hey, he could be going to Goose Island (killer nachos btw)
You’re going to Revolution brewery aren’t you?
Didn’t refresh and see this was already brought up I deserve all the down votes
Brewery is always a great selection. Gives you the option to upgrade a setting for post dinner drinks at a nice bar or something more high energy.
Lol your dad pays your car insurance still? PGP
Apparently not hence the text and dinner
T&P good luck!
I was just in the exact situation a few weeks ago. I had already met his sister and brother in law and their kids but not the parents, it went great but I was still really nervous. She sounds like a cool girl and like you said if she makes you happy that’s all they’ll want to see. Good luck to Lila!
You remind me a lot of Ted Mosby
I concur
My mom still calls and asks me “meet anyone cute yet, in school, at work,… in your apartment complex.”
Good luck! My now-wife met my parents at Thanksgiving breakfast.
Who has thanksgiving breakfast?
You should eat breakfast every day whether it’s thanksgiving or not
A family tradition.
Whatever brings family together
Some things are better left unsaid, my friend
I’m determined to meet you next time in in Chicago to see if you’re really this shit. When I was there last I saw Duda juul in a restaurant, so I know he’s as bad as he seems.
Was this on the bar crawl? I don’t remember ever Juuling in a restaurant but it’s entirely possible
There’s a chance it wasn’t you, but I swore it was you because you gave that look like you knew why I knew who you were even though we’ve never met. It was at The Dawson
No shame in Juulin and boolin’, Duda. It’s your natural state.
Please report back. He’s so bad and so consistent that I’m thinking he’s a troll of sorts…
I still think it’s Dave Ruff trolling us so that we’re not mean to actual commenters.
Also I would have come to the big meet up when the guys were last in town but I was really short on cash. But that was the old “financially irresponsible” me.
LOL…I don’t know who Dave Ruff is(I do follow one on Twitter) but I don’t care who you’re “mean” to including myself. I’ve been on various message boards for over a decade. I don’t agree with people here sometimes but c’est la vie.
YOU’RE KILLING ME SMALLS!!
This guy can’t be real, right?
How precisely does one “troll” a site called “post grad problems?” I made an account after I saw DeFries’ article on engagement photos, and decided to read TGDAD and the insufferable wedding announcements religiously. Maybe it’s because I’m 31 and I’m not the party type, but I’m certainly not a troll. And my last name isn’t Ruff.
I’m in Aurora and my twitter handle is the same here, so hmu.
“Hey, Wayne’s World was set in Aurora! They decided not to film it in Aurora. This is pretty much everything you need to know about Aurora.” -Thrillist
I grew up in Chicago and the south suburbs, moved to the west suburbs and moved to Aurora primarily because it’s where my wife works. It’s really just until we can move back to Wheaton, which is a lot nicer.
Isn’t everything a lot nicer than Aurora?
Did you prepare them a nice floral arrangement after their engagement at the bean?
No, I don’t do the arranging. I just sell them.
you’re the worst man