Now that my boyfriend’s mother has heard it with her own ears, straight from my own mouth that I’m never going to be a religious person… I find myself wanting nothing to do with his family, even though she told me to my face that no one in his family hated me for expressing my obviously extremely different views. At first, it was a bit of an odd feeling — if anything, I had expected to feel immensely relieved that I was no longer hiding that from them, assuming the role of someone who was more open-minded to the idea of baptism and going to church. However, I know that it might have something to do with the fact that my mindset and opinions are so vastly different from Matt’s family’s.

I don’t expect him to choose his family over me if it ever came to that. I wouldn’t want him to, because I wouldn’t choose him over my parents if our positions were reversed. Then again, I’m blessed to be a part of a family that is not controlling and dysfunctional like his is. Speaking of that, I’ve seen my boyfriend attempt to stand up to his mother about whether or not James would be allowed to have a choice in being baptized. And let me tell you, that was not a pretty sight. Had it not been for the look that I gave him midway through the conversation, he might actually have melted into his seat because I guess he’s so used to his mother calling the shots everywhere. Something tells me that as his mother gets to know the real me more, she’s probably not going to like it because I’m not going to respond to her intimidation and thinly veiled threats the same way her sons do. I’m largely indifferent when it comes to her antics.

If I’d known about Matt’s family, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be dating him now.