Letters to the Editor

• Can't force it

  [Read the article: Monster-in-law?]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  When I married 27 years ago my wife was desperate for me to love her family. I told her it can't be forced simply because we signed a piece of paper. I married her for love. We'll see about the others. I love some members of her family, not so much others. I am cordial to all and would help any of them in a pinch and have.

  My mother and father welcomed my wife into my side of the family with just a little reluctance. My mother's resistance was subtle. She would refer to my wife occasionally as my "girlfriend." I pulled her aside one day and told her, "Mom, she's my wife, not my girlfriend. Is there a problem with that?" She never said it again.

  A marriage throws two groups of strangers together with the unreasonable expectation that there will be immediate affection. Human relationships don't work that way. It takes time for people to get to know each other and decide if they dislike, like or love each other.

  Permalink Thursday, October 18, 2007 12:32 PM