"It's Me or His Mother"

Marnie: When we started planning our wedding I discovered how annoying Elaine could be. She insisted on having her say about every little detail, from who should marry us to what colors the table linens and the flowers should be. I was in tears half the time because I felt like she was implying I had bad taste. And I was too intimidated by her to speak up, even though I really didn't like the idea of a priest marrying us.

John: I know Marnie finds my mom irritating, but I didn't realize things were this bad. I'm usually not around when the two of them are together. Marnie complains endlessly about how my mother is butting in. To me it sounds like she's just trying to offer advice. She's always had very strong opinions about everything and she never holds back from expressing them. When we were growing up, my dad had a T-shirt that said, 'I rule the roost but my wife rules the rooster.' We all laughed about it.

Marnie: When my in-laws visited this past weekend it was the worst ever. I was holding my tongue as best I could, but I finally exploded when she grabbed the vacuum cleaner from me and told me I was using the wrong attachment. I screamed at her, 'I'm not a moron. I know how to clean my own house.' Then I ran to my room and started packing a suitcase. I actually was planning to escape to my mom's apartment, but John pleaded with me to stay. I agreed, as long as he agreed to see a marriage counselor. I'm serious about him choosing between his mother and me. John has to understand how she makes me feel and he has to defend me instead of her. She's a rude, insensitive busybody.

John: Obviously, all of this is getting my wife extremely upset. She actually told me that I will have to choose between my mother and her. This is tearing me up. As much as I love Marnie, I love my mother, too. Isn't there any way I can keep both of them in my life?

Can John have it all -- the caring caress of his wife, and the love and affection of his mother? Will Marnie have what it takes to cut Elaine out of her life, even if it means losing her loving husband John? Can this marriage be saved?