Weddings are meant to be joyful, full of love, and a chance for families to get together. But picture being torn between what you’ve always known and what your fiancé’s family wants. In that case, one person found themselves.
Their mom raised them alone and worked very hard to provide for them. It was a simple but good life. After that, they fell in love with someone from a wealthy family. Things got tricky when the family of their fiancé didn’t want their mom to be at the wedding.
Her mother raised her by herself and worked two jobs to make sure she had everything she needed.
A 27-year-old woman named Laura is the hero of our story (note: heroes’ names have been changed). The situation was very tough for her because she had to pick between her family and her love.
She starts her letter by telling a story about her childhood: “After my dad left, my mom raised me on her own.” We were just getting by from pay check to pay check. I remember that even though she was tired from working two jobs, she always found the time to make me dinner and help me with my homework. Even though things were hard, she never complained and always had a smile on her face as she worked hard to take care of us. The woman works hard and keeps her life simple.
He, on the other hand, is from a totally different family.
In her letter, she says, “My fiancé, John, comes from a totally different family.” Since both of his parents are well-known surgeons in our city, they have a lot more money than we ever did. Their way of life is very different from the simple, hardworking life my mom and I have always known.
“When John and I first started dating, his family welcomed me with open arms. But as our relationship got stronger, I picked up on hints that they didn’t like my background.” Even though they never said it directly, the words “refinement” and “sophistication” they used made their feelings clear.
The groom’s family made strict rules.
“Even so, I love John very much, and he loves me too.” His family was very kind and offered to pay for the whole wedding when we got engaged. Given my mom’s financial situation, it was a relief. But their offer came with a terrible catch: my mom couldn’t go to the wedding. They were afraid that she would make them look bad in front of their important guests because she looked “low class.”
“I am heartbroken. How could I leave out the woman who gave up everything for me on the most important day of my life? I didn’t want to tell my mom, but I knew I had to. When I finally told her the news, I thought she would be angry or upset, but all she said was, “I understand, honey.” If this is what it takes to make your fiancé’s family happy, then so be it. You need to do what’s best for your future. It broke my heart even more that she was so calm about it.
Laura had to make a tough choice.
At the end of her letter, she says, “The days before the wedding were a blur of preparations and mixed feelings.” While I tried to enjoy the happiness of marrying John, the thought of my mom not being there made everything seem sad.
“A few weeks before the wedding, I had to make the painful choice to cancel the party.” I realized that if they couldn’t accept my mom, who is a big part of my life and who I am, then they wouldn’t be able to accept me either. I wasn’t ready to give up my family.”
“My fiancé and his family were, of course, very upset.” I chose to put my relationship with John on hold while I thought about whether we should move forward. Maybe some of your readers could help me with my problem.”
