My Son Brought Home His Girlfriend—She Seemed Suspicious A few days ago, my son introduced his girlfriend to our family, and to my surprise, she’s only a few years younger than me—perhaps four or five—not only that, but he’s fallen deeply in love and wants to marry someone almost my age. I was further taken aback to find out she has a young daughter as well. I welcomed them both warmly; after all, my son’s happiness is what matters. But I couldn’t help needing to talk it through with someone, so after they left, I rang my friend—my ‘calming remedy’—who’s always there with wise advice. I shared the story and asked her to help me do what’s right. She talked me through my worries for quite a while, and we’d have gone on longer if my son hadn’t come home. He wanted to speak with me, and I feared another shocking revelation. “Mum, I’d like her and her little girl to move in with us,” he said. Unsure how to react, I agreed, and he rushed to share the news. But doubts filled my mind: Can this woman really love my son? Maybe she knows our house is in the heart of London, that we’re quite a wealthy family—and that’s why she’s latched onto him? I went to sleep with that thought, and dreamt of my late husband, who told me, “It’s all right.” In the morning, I realised my son isn’t foolish—he understands more than I think, and even if he makes a mistake, he’ll find a way to fix it.

A few days ago, my son brought his girlfriend home. She seems a bit suspicious to me. Shes only a few years younger than I am, perhaps four or five years, so it took me by surprise. My son has fallen in love with someone around my age, and now hes talking about wanting to marry her. Thats not allshe also has a little daughter.

I welcomed them politely. Above all, my son is happy, so Im happy for him too, but I just had to talk to someone about it. As soon as they left, I rang up my best friendwho I fondly call my calm in the storm. Shes always there for me through everything, and she offers the kind of wise advice that never fails. I told her the whole story and asked her to help me handle things properly.

She listened for ages, and wed have gone on chatting if my son hadnt come back home. He wanted a word. I was bracing myself for another shock. Mum, Id like her and her daughter to move in with us, my son said.

I was at a loss for words, and simply replied, Yes, let them come. He was clearly thrilled and hurried off to let them know about my answer.

But all I could think was: Theres no way this woman really loves my son. Maybe shes realised that weve got a big house in the middle of London and that our family is rather well-offthats why shes latched onto him?

With those thoughts swirling in my mind, I fell asleep. That night, I dreamt that my late husband told me, Its alright. And when morning arrived, I realised my sons no foolhe understands things just fine, and even if he makes a mistake, hell find his own way to put it right.