"My Parents Are Driving Us Apart!"

His Turn

"My in-laws mean well," said Todd. "But they can be so annoying. Marilyn, my mother-in-law, doesn't invite us to holiday dinners; she subpoenas us a year in advance and gets upset if we decide to celebrate with my family instead. If Mindy mentions that we're going out to dinner, Bernie, my father-in-law, will tell us what restaurant to choose and what to order.

"Their generosity is a double-edged sword. They provide us with things we otherwise couldn't afford -- but not without holding it over our heads. Frankly, I'd rather forgo new furniture if it meant that they'd stay out of our business.

"I'm also troubled that Marilyn accuses Mindy of being ungrateful if Mindy doesn't do what she wants. Then when Mindy complains about her mother, I can't resist bashing Marilyn, too, in support of my wife. But that only puts Mindy on the defensive. We're stuck in a never-ending argument about my in-laws.

"I grew up in a loving, middle-class family. I was the second child of a nurse and a retired accountant. Money was tight, so while my younger brother and I never lacked for any essentials, we didn't receive a lot of extras. I'm still close to my parents, who are good listeners and whose opinions I value.

"When I met Mindy at the dance, I immediately fell for her. She's in good shape with long, straight blond hair, sparkling blue eyes, and an adorable dimpled smile. She's also intelligent, outgoing, and funny. Once we started dating, I knew we'd get married someday.