Meeting your partner’s family for the very first time is one of life’s most nerve-wracking milestones. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or if you’ve lived through decades of experiences—stepping into a room full of people who may soon become your family carries a unique pressure. You want to make the right impression, say the right things, and hopefully find some common ground.
When I first met my boyfriend’s parents, I thought I had luck on my side. The afternoon began like something out of a comforting movie: warm handshakes, polite smiles, gentle jokes passed across the table. His mom brought out a casserole that reminded me of Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house. His dad teased my boyfriend about an old high school story, and even I found myself laughing so hard my cheeks hurt.
