One of the hardest challenges I believe you face in a relationship is acceptance. When I say acceptance, I don't mean between you and your significant other. That part of the relationship should already be clear. When I mention acceptance, I am referring to the nerve-racking and inevitable moment when you finally meet his or her family.
Family is everything. Having said that, wouldn't you want them to accept those who become a part of your life?
Pictured above is my boyfriend (center) and his four beautiful siblings (try to guess who they are). All of which are very diverse in personality and appearance. This makes for an especially challenging plan when laying down the foundation for connection.
The sports lover who changed his name
Jack is the youngest. John is the youngest. I mean, wait...what? Well, his real name is John, but everyone refers to him as Jack after an older generation of family members called by the same name. It may be confusing, but at least you have two chances to get it right.
Having a sporty background as well, it was easy to find common ground. Not to mention our interest in the strings. My ukulele, which did most of the work, made for good conversation. In conclusion, sibling one, check!
The older but not older sister
Catherine is the second youngest, though she looks older than she really is. Catherine was one of the quickest connections I made when I arrived. It wasn't hard to distinguish her qualities. With her manner of words and collections of classy apparel, she will have no problem becoming independent and individualistic.
Her sophistication reminds me of when I was in high school, and our outlooks are very similar when it comes to independence and self-realization. Sibling two, check!
The "non-stereotyped" blonde
Margaret, or "Maggie" for short, is graduating high school and hopes to pursue a career in working with children. She is actually the reason I came to visit. I would have sooner or later, but this celebration made for a good excuse to finally meet everyone.
Maggie is a very defined voice. She was the one to leave a small note on the table when I arrived, which read, "Welcome Shannon :)" She was also the one who asked a million questions. I love a million questions, so I was eager to answer. Sibling three, check!
The animal enthusiast
Anne was the one sibling I was most nervous about. She is my age, which gave us a little wiggle room for similarities. However, she has a set mind, one in which categorizes new faces without a second thought.
Her passion as an aspiring zoologist is like nothing I have ever seen before. And when it comes to animals, I am all ears, as I once wanted to be a veterinarian. Because her passion is so strong, it was fascinating to hear her story and her plans for the future. However, her love for snakes might be a little too much for me...just kidding, Anne! Sibling four, a hopeful check!
Accepting acceptance
Avoid trying too hard to be accepted. If you do, you will scare people away with a false face. Accept who you are, and the rest will follow. Now it is time for my boyfriend to meet my siblings. This should be fun!
