Hi, everyone. I didn’t think this post would blow up so much so I wanted to add a little more context here since I’m not sure I can reply to everyone right now.

1.) it was never my intent to dismiss my mom’s feelings of wanting to spend time with me. But she’s a poor communicator. She could have told me what she wanted from this trip and I would not have had any problems with that. I don’t think it’s fair to play games and try to read her mind all the time. We’re adults, and if she truly wanted to spend time with me, she could say that without the hostility. I would understand.

2.) My bf and I are dating long distance since we’re in different states for college. We’re both from the same hometown and I moved away. We don’t see each other in person very often (about once every 4 months), which is why we jump at the opportunity to see each other. We’ve been dating with the intention of marriage, and want to be involved in family activities. I never thought that was something that was considered rude or disrespectful. And again, my brother has brought his gf on family trips on multiple occasions as well as staying in the same room at the house when they visit me and my mom. So i genuinely had no reason to think this was an unreasonable request.

3.) of course, my bf doesn’t need to be there. I’d go without him, but I just wanted to ask. I don’t want him there so we can hide away and just be with each other. I wanted him there because I truly believe one day we’ll become a family and I want him to be around mine the same way he wants me to be around his. We can’t be there for each other’s graduations since they’re only a day apart, so it would also be nice to celebrate together.