Hey...you! (Part 2)

The meet-the-family weekend has been and gone. It went pretty well, I guess, as these things go. All very friendly. There were a few awkward moments, as expected, but nothing major. D’s Mum, Dad and brother (+ his wife and 3-year-old kid) were there, as well as D’s best friend from her hometown in Mindanao. Her family speaks decent English but I think they were a little self-conscious talking to a native English speaker. They live in small towns in rural provinces and either don’t use English much at all or only with other Filipinos.

D's family was very friendly to me. No questions about my intentions for their daughter (I think D had warned them not to ask) and I think they thought I was a decent person (despite knowing I’m a godless heathen).

However, all that may have been undone last night when D revealed over the phone that we’re living in sin (for almost 3 years now). D thinks they already suspected, but her mum came right out and asked last night. Something along the lines of:

“One last question…are you and SW living together?”
“Yes mum.”
“Are you living as man and wife?”
“Yes mum.”
“Are you living in the same house?”
“Yes mum.”

I guess she wanted to be completely sure. Or thought that if she asked the question differently it might illicit a “no”. Bear in mind that D’s folks had a traditional, conservative, Filipino Catholic upbringing. It didn’t seem to provoke too bad a reaction, though there was quite an intense conversation afterwards. I’m not sure yet what her Dad’s reaction is.

And, in case anyone was wondering, I did manage to get through the entire weekend without once referring to D’s mum and dad by name or title. That alone constitutes success.