I only introduced my son to two men I've dated. The last relationship I was in, for 7 months. And now this current relationship, which is at 6 months. I did the introduction with my current boyfriend earlier than I have in the past. I saw a future with him, and I really liked him. I wanted him to meet the love of my life early on, so if he wanted to bolt (like they've done in the past) he would do it before I'd fallen for him.
He didn't bolt. He's sticking. :) AND he *gets* my boy. Like, REALLY gets my boy. Enjoys spending time with us, and asks great questions to try to understand my son's special needs. It is something to behold. I've suffered multiple heart explosions ever since, and I don't see that ending any time soon.
One of my favorite things about this man, is his love and dedication to kids. His career is kid-central. He coaches a high school team, and both of his son's teams. He has full custody of his boys. He is a wonderful person, and he loves kids.
During the parenting class I took before my divorce was final, they taught that kids shouldn't be introduced in every relationship. That introductions should be saved for serious, long-term relationships. I took that to heart. And honestly....most of them weren't worthy of knowing my kiddo.
Fast forward to last weekend. I've met my boyfriend's sons. We waited until they started asking to meet me, so it was on their terms. I met them at one of the games he coached, and it went very well. Last Friday, his youngest asked for me to sit near them for the final game of the season, which was HUGE. I sat near them, but stayed outside their bubble. I didn't want to overwhelm them. Within 15 minutes, the youngest had sidled right up to me, and was sharing photos on his phone.
Sunday we took the monumental step of me joining them for a Super Bowl party. I picked them up, and had hot cocoa waiting in the car. (Hey. I'm a mom. I know the value of a good bribe.) We had a great drive there, with lots of laughs and jokes. The event itself went fabulously well, and by halftime, the youngest was sitting half in his dad's lap, half in mine.
And the final hurdle; introducing my son to my boyfriend's boys. I left the viewing party early to pick my boy up at his father's and brought him back. They all did VERY well. A's boys had previously asked many good questions, so they knew he wouldn't be able to communicate the way they were used to, and they fully embraced that he is made differently than they are. We all rode home to their house together, and had giggles the whole way. When I dropped them off, the boys both doubled back to hug me. I wasn't expecting that, at ALL, and it was fantastic!
This part of our relationship moving forward couldn't possibly have gone better than it did. Truly. When Braeden and I got home, I asked him via IPad how he felt about it, and he said "good! Fun!". The happy tears have been flowing freely.
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