Bozictofu's thread got me to thinking about meeting an SO's family. I'm gonna be doing that in about a week and a half with a guy I've been seeing for nearly a year. It's been an LDR, so I haven't gotten the chance to meet any of his family so far, but he's done the rounds with my whole immediate and extended family and they all love him.

It's the first time I've ever had to meet a boyfriend's parents--at least anybody I was really serious about--and I'm getting kind of nervous! His 90-something year old grandmother lives near them, so I'll probably meet her too. From all appearances, they're really nice people (they're taking us to Italy!), but it doesn't stop me from worrying a bit.

Anybody have an stories to share from when they met their SO's family?

Well, heck, taking ya all to Italy sounds great! They must love you already. Just be yourself and do not be nervous. Done this many times in the past.:p

I remember my old boyfriends family taking me to Colorado. I was so nervous, but it was a blast.

I had just one bad experience before because they thought I was a smart ass at first.:D Imagine that.:p But then they got to know me and still love me till this day. I am sure it will be fine for you.

its been almost 4 years, buy my boyfriend's parents who formerly hated me (sabotaged my prom hair, when I asked to help clean up the kitchen asked me to clean a turkey, said I "could be pretty", I'll stop, but lets say its been hell) have finally warmed up to me, and are beginning to be legitimately nice to me. They're cow farming country folks and they were kind of pissed off that their baby boy was dating a vegan city girl.

Anyway, I've been on vacation with them when they were still being passive aggressive towards me and still enjoyed the vacation immensely, so even if they are mean (which they probably won't be) you can still have an awesome time.

If I can make peace w/ possible future in-laws, anyone can :)

You'll be fine! :) I mean, I already -knew- bf's uncle didn't like me even before i met him ;) So, you've got that much ahead of what I did, meaning that they probably 'don't hate you' (i don't think ppl would send others on a trip if they didn't like them :p) and you may be plesently surprised, I was when I met my bf's grandma. I was 'myself' and she ended up really liking me, much to my surprise!
Just be you, if you've been w/ the SO this long his family should hopefuly recognize that you are something specialy. Unless they are crack-heads like some of the members of my bf's family. In which case....just brush them off as being crack heads. :p
Good luck!

I just did the EXACT same thing last weekend Astarte... met my boyfrind's family. Oh how I can relate!

He'd reassured me over and over that things would be fine... But let me tell you, I was a BASKET CASE! It didn't help that it was a 6-hour drive to get there, and by the time we pulled in the driveway I was so nervous I almost threw up on the lawn... PLUS we got there late - after they'd gone to bed.... yeah...GREAT first impression!! Plus I'm older than him, I'm divorced, I have three kids, definitely not little, skinny or cute...I live tousands of miles across the country, I'm one of those weird vegan-types... I figured I had WAY too many strikes against me...
But, as others have advised here, I really tried VERY hard to "be myself" ...but that is SOOO hard to do when you're as nervous as heck...
Over all, I think it went OK though, they were nice people, complimentary, interesting, polite, nice to me, even his 90-year-old (and reportedly VERY outspoken) Grandma ... so, I don't know...I guess they liked me :shrug:

I have no advice or words of wisdom other than Be yourself. Smile and relax. You WILL get through this and it'll all be OK.

I met a good chunk of my boyfriend's family last summer. I was kind of nervous because our cultures are so different and I was afraid I was going to do something totally offensive, but everything turned out fine.

I'm sure they've heard enough about you that they've already formed a positive opinion of you (they are taking you to Italy, after all), so the rest should be pretty easy. Good luck!

I'm sure they will love you! Meeting the SO's family is always stressful the first time. I'm positive you have nothing to worry about. :)

Thanks guys :) I'm sure it'll all be fine too, but still! I'm in Scotland (i'm usually in Canada) right now, and the BF and I are heading down to England on Wednesday to meet his parents and grandma. Then back up to Edinburgh after Italy to meet his sister (and fly back home, sadly..)

Goettling: well, who wouldn't like you? :)

Geez, thebelovedtree, that sounds horrible! That "could be pretty" comment is pretty awful... from your avatar, you look gorgeous!

Bozictofu: I'm pretty sure they're not crackheads :) His mom's a doctor and his dad's a house husband. Which is fortunate because he has absolutely zero preconceptions about "women's work" and cleans up after himself!

Tofu n' Sprouts: Sounds to be about what I'm expecting! Though I hope I won't get that worried on the 3-4 hour train ride. Doubt I will.. I can understand the strikes against you thing. I'm some north american girl he met last year in San Francisco (oh, romantic, yes..) and he's flown over here a few times since then. This is my first trip out here, though I stole him last xmas. I sent back some super tasty canadian maple candies with him for them, I doubt that's much of a substitute for their son. Should be all good, methinks.

Mskedi & Catgirl: thanks :)

Astarte: Could be that they are nervous about meeting you too. So just make sure you are very open and inclusive with them, and show that you're interested in who they are (their interests, hobbies and stuff) without being too nosy of course. That will give you good marks in their book. And smile a lot without looking like a Cheshire Cat.