(Day 111/122 of the experiment)
Today is a special day. Tristan is going to introduce me to his parents. I am very nervous about this. Because Jensen's mom played a significant role in our relationship. I hope Tristan's parents are good people. Because it just can't be otherwise – they raised two wonderful sons.
All day, I imagined a family dinner. While I was working out in the gym, while I recorded the last lessons for the course, and while I went live on Instagram. How will everything go?
A simple black dress, shoes with a small heel, light makeup, and I am ready. No red lipstick or aggressive colors today – I don't want to draw too much attention, which there will be enough of anyway.
On the way to the gathering, we bought Antonina Hennadiivna a small bouquet and Stepan Semenovych a bottle of his favorite cognac. With each passing minute, my heart beats faster, and fear pierces every cell of my body.
A beautiful two-story house just ten minutes away from the city. The air in the yard is fragrant with shish kebab, and there’s a laid table in a small gazebo. And by the door to the house stands Lilia with Ivan. Fortunately, they also came! I really need the support of close people right now.
“Hi, hi!”
We all went into the house together. Tristan's parents greeted us with warm hugs and gave me a lovely bouquet of roses. They asked me to call them simply “Antonina” and “Stepan”. Well, so far, everything is going well. I don’t feel any tension; the atmosphere is genuinely family-like.
All my fears completely vanished when after a couple of hours, Stepan and his sons went to check the temperature of the sauna, and Antonina suggested we make mulled wine using her special recipe. We chatted about lipstick, femininity, friendship, and love. About everything I have never discussed with my mom and Sofi.
We collectively decided to stay overnight at Tristan's parents' house. Antonina made up a bed for us in the bedroom on the second floor, and after the sauna, we fell asleep like babies.
(Day 112/122 of the experiment)
The morning started not with a walk or a run. But with the extraordinary aroma of syrniki that Antonina prepared. We lingered in bed for a while and decided to get up. Tristan secretly told me that his parents are just thrilled about me.
We had breakfast together in the kitchen. A real family breakfast, where everyone discusses their dreams, who enjoyed the sauna yesterday, and what the plans are for the weekend. And again – I felt like I was in the circle of my own family. We drank coffee, and I offered to help with the dishes, but in response, I heard, “Cinderella, our home is a place for our children to relax. I'll clean up, don't worry.” And it was said not with reproach, as is usually the case in such situations, but with immense love.
Then we went our separate ways – the guys went to look at the grapes, Stepan's pride, Lilia practiced yoga in the garden, and I decided to just read a book outdoors. To breathe in the air and relax. I don't want to admit it, but I was a bit tired from preparing for the course and the frantic pace. Yesterday and today, I’m just breathing deeply and spending time in nature.
The day flew by very quickly, but without a delicious dinner, the parents wouldn't let us go. So, after enjoying the grilled fish that Stepan caught early in the morning, we returned to the city.
- So how do you like my parents?
- Tristan, I'm thrilled! I felt so comfortable with them, as if we had known each other my whole life!
- See, and you were worried. They liked you a lot, and they wish us happiness.
- I'm very glad about that.
We spent the evening on the couch with Richard, a new French comedy, and popcorn.