Tyler’s mother never thought I was the right match for her son—and surprisingly, Tyler agreed. When he called off our wedding, I decided our final dinner together would be something they’d always remember.
Tyler had proposed on my apartment balcony, a casual night with takeout and too much wine. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was us. A ramen bar and a cosplay photo booth were part of our dream wedding plan—simple, quirky, and perfectly “us.” As a freelance web developer and a graphic designer who loved sketching anime scenes for indie comics, I never wanted a fancy life. I just wanted him. Or so I thought.
A few weeks after the engagement, Tyler said it was time to meet his mother, Patricia. I’d heard she had a strong personality, and that she’d once scared off a girlfriend by asking blunt financial questions. Still, I went in optimistic, wearing a nice dress and bringing wine.
Patricia greeted me warmly, all smiles and compliments. Dinner was homemade lasagna, and we chatted about comic conventions and hobbies. I began to think maybe I had judged her too soon.
But later that evening, everything changed. After helping with dishes, Tyler joined me on the porch, visibly shaken. He hesitated, then said, “My mom thinks this engagement is a mistake.” I blinked. “What do you mean?” He explained she didn’t see me as someone who could offer a secure future, and surprisingly, he admitted he’d been thinking the same.
Continue reading on next page…