r/wholesome

The first time my boyfriend’s mom ever texted me was on my birthday.

She wished me a happy birthday and then asked if I’d be willing to be part of a surprise she was planning for my boyfriend’s graduation. His parents and grandma were all writing letters for him, and she wanted me to write something too because, apparently, she already considered me family.

She asked me to write a little about what I love about him, since everyone would be writing similar things.

Everyone else wrote about a page.

I wrote a fucking book.

I sent her such a ridiculously long message that, compared to everyone else’s letters, mine looked like that long rolled-up letter from Mulan. I was SO embarrassed when I realized how much I had written. I genuinely thought they were going to think I was insane.

Instead, my boyfriend’s dad cried reading it because he said it really showed just how much I love his son.

And honestly, I think that was all it took for them to collectively go, “Yeah. She’s going to marry our son.”

Because ever since then, I somehow acquired nicknames from my future in-laws. Nobody there even calls me by my actual name anymore. It’s either my nickname or “minha nora” which is literally “my daughter-in-law” in Portuguese.

And my boyfriend’s mom does NOT miss an opportunity to show me off.

She’s introduced me to her mom, my boyfriend’s sister, his aunt, and probably half the family at this point, and somehow the introduction is always basically, “This is my daughter-in-law.”

They all think I’m pretty too, so all my insecurities can temporarily leave the building.

And when she can’t do that, she shows them pictures. Sometimes she’s literally out somewhere and texts my boyfriend asking him to send her pictures of me.

And honestly? I love it.

I never thought I’d have this.

I never imagined having a mother-in-law who would be so excited to show me off, who would proudly introduce me as her daughter-in-law, who would want pictures of me just to show other people, or who would make me feel so naturally included in her family.

It’s such a small thing to some people, but it means so much to me. There’s something incredibly special about being welcomed into someone’s family and then realizing they’re not just accepting you, they’re genuinely proud to have you there.

So yes, I’ll happily be her daughter-in-law being shown off to everyone.

I secretly love it more than I’ll ever admit.

My (F26) 9-year-old boy cousin came to stay with us in our city during his school break. He’s such a polite and shy little boy. Spending time with him and seeing the world through a child’s eyes again has been so heartwarming.

​One night, after I tucked him into bed, we started talking about the books he’s been reading. He mentioned how much he loves The Little Prince and pointed out a line from it—how adults seem to completely forget what it was like to be a child.

​That hit home for me because I used to think about the exact same thing when I was younger. I could never make sense of why adults struggled so much to understand kids. My childhood logic was simple: I’ve never been an adult, but they used to be children, so why don't they get it?

​When I told him I completely agreed with him, he looked at me and said, "Well, you haven't forgotten how to be a child."

​My heart melted right then and there. I’m still thinking about that moment, and honestly, I feel a genuine sense of pride knowing I haven't lost touch with that part of myself.