Our daughter is desperate to marry a layabout, and we’re terrified!
In our cosy little town in northern England, where winters are long and people cherish the warmth of family life, my husband and I have always tried to give our daughter the best. But now, our hearts are breaking with worry—our girl is set to marry a man who seems incapable of anything but empty promises and laziness.
My husband, Oliver, and I know how hard it is to find the right person. Years ago, my own parents were dead against Oliver. Mum feared his obsession with cars—he was always tinkering with some old Ford, and she thought it dangerous. Dad dreamed of marrying me off to his friend’s son, a well-off engineer. But I fell for Oliver without hesitation. His kindness, hard work, and devotion won me over, and I defied my parents. We married, and the years proved I’d made the right choice. Together, we raised our daughter, Emily, pouring everything into her so she’d never want for anything.
Emily has always been our pride—bright, driven, full of spirit. Two years ago, she started university in the city and met a lad named Jacob. At first, we were happy for her—young love is beautiful! But the more we learned about Jacob, the more uneasy we grew. Now, Emily’s announced she’s marrying him, and Oliver and I are horrified because Jacob is a true idler, and that’s not just talk.
We’ve seen it with our own eyes, more than once. Every summer, Emily takes jobs—waitressing, office temping—saving up so they can holiday abroad in August. And what does Jacob do? Nothing. In two years, he’s never tried to find work, not even a summer gig. Emily carries everything while he reaps the benefits, acting as if it’s his due. It breaks our hearts—our daughter deserves better!
Once, Jacob’s parents started renovating their flat. Hoping to mend fences, we offered to help. We brought tools, paint, wallpaper, and got to work. And Jacob? He sat in his room glued to his computer, gaming endlessly, not even offering us a cuppa. There we were, strangers sweating in their home, while he, a fit young man, didn’t lift a finger. It hit me like a bolt—is this really the man my daughter wants to spend her life with?
Jacob lives in his own little world. He spends hours gaming, barely interacts with people, and if he does, it’s only to moan about how “everything’s rubbish.” I can’t imagine how Emily could be happy with someone like that. She’s a shining star, and he’s dragging her down into his swamp of apathy. I know this marriage will trap her, but how do I make her see it?
We’ve tried talking to Emily, but she’s in love and won’t hear us. Every word about Jacob feels like an attack. “You just don’t know him!” she cries, tears in her eyes. I see her torn between love and reason, and it shatters me. I don’t want my girl repeating mistakes she’ll regret forever.
Every night, I lie awake picturing Emily, full of hope, walking down the aisle to a man who doesn’t value her or her efforts. I fear she’ll sacrifice her dreams for someone who won’t even get off the sofa. How do we reach her? How do we stop her from a choice that could ruin her life? My mother’s heart screams—this marriage is a disaster—but I don’t know how to save her.
