The trip

Time started to fly by as my second year arrived. With the issues with Meg and the new relationship with Aaron my time had been filling up fast. Not to mention a new job as a law clerk and a full time class load.

Before I knew it November had come and it was time for Thanksgiving break. A couple days before Thanksgiving Aaron and I were laying on my couch watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn, when he suddenly said, "you should come home with me for Thanksgiving."

We had been dating for almost 6 months and things had been going better then I could have imagined. I had met his friends and he had met mine. But we had not met each other's parents yet. I knew it would be inevitable, and I knew that both our parents had been asking us about it.

When I heard him say it my heart skipped a beat. "You want me to come home with you for thanksgiving? really?," I stuttered as I turned to face him.

"I really do. I want my parents to meet you. I want them to meet the woman that makes me smile everyday and every night," he said with a little naughty smile. "Well, they don't need to know about the every night part."

"I really do want to meet your parents. But I have to tell you, I am scared to death of meeting them. What if they hate me?"

"A. They know how much I love you, they could never hate you," he said and leaned in and kissed me.

The next thing I knew the popcorn bowl was on the floor and he was over me unbuttoning my shirt with one hand. I had just gotten his shirt off and was reaching for his belt, when his cell phone rang. He swore, and then said he had to get it since it was probably his parents calling to confirm plans for Thanksgiving. I let go of him and let him sit up, but not without giving him a pouty look.

He confirmed plans with his parents, who were apparently thrilled that they would get to meet me, and I had to call and let my parents know I wouldn't be home for Thanksgiving. They made me promise to try and bring him home for Christmas to meet them.

We made plans to leave the next day to his parents house, since the drive was an 8 hour one we wanted to get a head start. I packed the nicest things I could find. I wanted to make a good impression on his parents.

The ride to his parents house was great. We stopped for coffee on our way out of town and picked up some caffeine for the ride. It is amazing how we spend every single day together and still did not have a quiet moment for the whole 8 hours.

As he pulled into the drive way I saw there were at least four cars already there. He must have seen the look of panic in my eyes because he reached for my hand and said, "one is my dad's truck, one is my mom's car, and the other two are my sisters. Honey, you are going to make them fall in love with you."

He turned the car off, walked around and opened my door for me. As he was reaching into the backseat for our bags I saw his mom coming out to greet us. She ran up and hugged her little boy and then turned to me with a huge smile on her face.

"Mom, I would like you to meet A." I reached my hand out to her, but she grabbed me and pulled me into a hug.

"I am so happy to meet you!", she said as she hugged me.

We all headed into the house and the rest of the introductions were made. Afterwards Aaron led us to where we would be sleeping. I was surprised his parents were willing to have us share a room, and we got the guest room to ourselves.

The next day we woke up and got ready and headed downstairs to help out his parents with starting the preparations for dinner. What Aaron had neglected to tell me was that his entire family would be there that night. They were expecting about 15 people over.

The evening could not have gone any better. I was getting along with everyone and everyone was being so wonderful to me. They were hilarious and so easy to get along with. Just as I thought the night could not get any better Aaron's older sister, Bree, pulled me aside.

"I just wanted to tell you A. that you make my brother so happy, and just from these last two days I can see why. Also, just a heads up...we are initiating you into the family tomorrow and taking you shopping."

I was so touched by what she said and even more touched by the invitation to go shopping. Aaron had explained to me that it was a tradition for his mom and two sisters to do the day after thanksgiving shopping ever year. He had also mentioned that no one else had ever been invited to go with them. So, I knew this was a big deal and I was super excited.

Shopping the next day was a blast! We got such great deals and I was able to get some help and pick out some really great stuff for Aaron's Christmas presents. We all had lunch and then I was forced to tell them how we met and about our first date and all about London. After every story there would be a collective, "awww." As we were driving back to their home I felt so at home with them.

We left the next day early and headed back to the city. I told him how much fun I had with his family and how at home I felt. I also warned him and Christmas he would be coming home with him!!!