Does Family Matter?

Yes.

I've been contemplating whether beginning and/or ending a relationship can be caused by the family of your partner. For instance, if a member of the family seems to have something against you, or in an opposite case, you have a very strong and loving relationship with the family, if that would effect the vitality of the relationship.

The purpose for dating is to find a future spouse. But more than just a spouse comes with that commitment. You gain another family. 2+ more members enter your life, causing more drama, more love, and a greater adventure. It's not just a few people that you have to be able to talk to on occasion. For me, at least, family is -very- important.

Coming into my current relationship, I knew from the beginning that there would be trials with his family members. I was young, I was loud, and I was different. But, I figured my oh-so 'charming' personality would win them over for sure!

Until I met them and realized that I would need to work a bit harder for their affection. Some of his siblings took to me a bit faster than others (his youngest sister for instance) but even to this day, I find myself struggling for acceptance. For how can I have a 'family' doesn't love me, or one that I don't love?

Maybe it's because of my upbringing. I grew up in a family that was extremely close and loving. So, could that have blinded me to what 'real' families look like? Maybe families are supposed to have some members that just don't mesh. Maybe it's 'ordinary.'

I'm not an ordinary person.


So those are just my thoughts for right now.