My Mom Had High Standards for My Dates—Until One Surprised Her

My Mom Thought No Man Was Good Enough for Me Until One Invited Her on a Date — Story of the Day

I believed I could date in peace at 37 until my mother interrupted dinner with a set of restrictions. and inexplicably found myself going out with my guy.

I was always aware of my mother. However, there were moments when I thought my mother was my entire world. Despite the fact that I was 37, she continued to question me daily:

“Are you wearing warm socks?” Alternatively “Are you sure he looked at you with respect and not… interest?”

I had two degrees, lived in my own flat, loved art history, worked in a museum and had a bank account. However, I automatically straightened my posture as I saw “Mom calling” on my phone.

Everything was under her control. Everything from nail colour to when I should go to bed.

She called 20 minutes after I placed an order for salmon delivery.

“I witnessed him enter your home. Was he there?

“Mom, are you spying on my house?”

“I simply sat in the nearby car. in the event of any questionable activity.

She was carrying binoculars. A notebook, too. It was referred to as “just in case.”

It was cute as a kid. By the age of 20, it became bothersome. By the age of 30, I started to wonder about our “normal.”

I met Theo when I was 37.

For the first time in my life, I held off on telling her.

It was my very first adult secret. It lasted precisely three days, of course. Until Mom spoilt it all.

But in a moment, I will tell you that.

I was getting ready to have supper with Theo. Instead of using Mom’s holy recipe book, I made a pie that I discovered online.

Even if the chicken was a little dry and it came out a touch browned, those were my faults. My life.

I could already picture my mother’s reaction if she saw the food; it would undoubtedly blow her mind. As I examined the candles, I silently grinned to myself.

“I want to meet him,” she said a week ago. in person. at my residence. at the table. With my enquiries.”

“For once, Mom, let me act like an adult. I’ll choose when to present you.

For once, she took a step back. I didn’t give it much thought, but it felt strange. A huge error.

Theo visited for the first time that evening. He knew I was exhausted after work, so he brought non-alcoholic wine, tulips, and a cake from the bakery I typically stop by for lunch.

His expression said, “I just wanted to get everything right,” as he arranged the plates.

“Theo, with you, it always feels right.”

A peaceful, comfortable feeling blossomed in my chest. We spoke for hours. I laughed. had a dream.

“Imagine… a little house by an old lighthouse,” remarked the man.

“And in the basement — an archive of old love letters.”

“You’d preserve them, and I’d write new ones.”

There were low-burning candles. Softly, music hummed. He made contact with my hand.

“I believed that nothing would ever happen again after all the heartaches. Then you appeared.

And right then and there…

“ACHOO!”

out of the closet. We stopped.

“You’re not alone?” Theo gave me a glance.

I stood up. The wardrobe was opened.

“Mooom?!”

In the dark, she sat. while wearing a headlamp. A thermos, too.

“What… what are you doing?!”

“Hey, hello! Without even attempting to sound credible, she muttered, “I was just making sure you’re keeping items in your closet without lavender.”

“You broke into my flat?!”

“I wanted to be certain. listening. Assessing. I didn’t get involved.

Somehow, Theo was still able to grin courteously.

“Good night. My name is Theo. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

“Theo. Short. Mom sat on the couch and replied, “Like most male patients.” “Take a seat. Let’s learn more about one another.

I was itching to run. However, Theo took a seat. Courageous.

The questioning then started.

“Do you have a job?”

“Yes. I’m a literary instructor.

“Do you work 9 to 5?”

“Flexible hours.”

“There is no structure, then. I understand. Are you an alcoholic?

“A glass of wine, sometimes…”

“Sometimes means regularly.”

“Mom…”

“Eliza, please be quiet. “I’m asking.”

“How many women before my daughter?” she asked him again.

“I… excuse me?”

“Are you deaf?”

“No, I just think that’s a bit…”

“You should always be thinking. prior to making a meaningful move to a woman.”

Theo gave me a glance. “Is this a joke?” he asked.

“No,” I attempted to communicate with my eyes. This is my life.

Mom got to her feet. “Now, a test.”

“What?” each of us asked.

“Clean the table. utilising a sponge. Not a single streak. You’re not for her if there’s even one mark.

“Mom, enough!”

I was furious and desperate. To my utter surprise, however…

Theo got up, walked to the kitchen, located the sponge, and proceeded to wipe. It was flawless. She ran her finger over the surface to verify it.

“Well. made it through. For the time being.”

Then Mom gave Theo a document in a dramatic manner. He glanced at it with a smile, then scowled slowly before giving it to me.

“I believe I ought to leave. I’ll give you a call.

He went out. As simple as that. The letters she drew in strong black marker caught my attention at last.

DATING GUIDELINES FOR MY DAUGTER

Get a job.Recognise that I dislike you.

I am everywhere.I make YOU cry, and you make HER cry.

Arrive home half an hour early.

My princess is her. Not your victory.

I have no problem going to jail. Daugter. Using a typo.

That was it. “Mom, it’s time for you to go.” “Oh, sweetie,

if he leaves at the first sign of trouble, is he even a man?”

“He stayed with me. He promised to call. “Same thing.”

“Maybe he just didn’t enjoy being around you?” “You’re overreacting.”

“Mom, you went too far! Leave, please. I want to be by myself.

Mom’s words kept repeating in my mind. Is Theo truly gone—for good? It was three days later.

Don’t text. No phone calls. I gave in and wrote him a brief note:

“I apologise for the way things turned out. You weren’t worthy of that. observed. No response. After that, there was a knock on the door. With my pulse pounding, I opened it. He was there with flowers, and it was him. “Come on. I have scheduled a date for you and your mother. I blinked.

“What?” “Just trust me.” My mother was picked up by us. She began her regular comments as soon as she climbed into the car. “Where are we heading? The freezer has to be defrosted. “Surprise,” grinned Theo. The initial stop?

His talk. I sat in the back with Mom. Theo spoke on love in literature while standing in front of a packed classroom. “It’s not always poetic to be with someone.

However, it’s always worthwhile. “Oh, I might fall asleep here,” Mom said in a low voice. “Mom. Keep quiet. “If he’s trying to seduce us both with lectures — he failed.” I looked at her. But I waited. I was aware that Theo had other plans. A boat ride is the next stop. Tea in a thermos, strawberries, and a checkered blanket on the lake. (Yes, Mom’s favourite tea.

(He recalled.) Mom whispered, “Yet another romantic coma,” but this time she was laughing. Theo turned to her tenderly as we floated. “All right, Barbara. What pastimes do you have? She arched an eyebrow. Hobbies? suspicion. Steer clear of scammers.

When I can’t sleep, I do crossword puzzles.” “I bet you’re good at them.” “The New York Times had three errors that I once discovered. wrote a letter to them. And you failed to locate one. “You planted that typo?” “Of course, sweetie — it was a test for your Theo.”

“A test? Regarding spelling? “He’s a professor at a university, Mom!” She smirked and said, “No, more like a test for politeness,” “He passed.” She then bent to go nearer to the edge. and slipped. SPLASH. She plunged directly into the water. I let out a gasp. She then burst out laughing, and I almost followed in. “ARE YOU LAUGHING? I might drown.

Without hesitation, Theo dived in. rushed over to her, gave her a hand, and covered her with a blanket. Soaked, shivering, angry, yet inwardly moved. She was preparing to stomp back on land. “I must return home. I’m finished. “There’s a sports store nearby,” Theo stated coolly.

It’s time to update your wardrobe. He vanished. returned with two sports suits that matched five minutes later. I’ll take one. For Mom, one. She regarded hers with suspicion. “How did you guess my size?” Simple. Your physique is ideal for a medium. Classic and athletic. She grinned. Seldom. Silently. However, I did see it. She cherished being noticed. We evolved.

The climbing wall came next. “Last challenge, I promise,” stated Theo with a smile. Climbing the wall. One holds the rope while the other climbs. Exercise in trust. “Oh no. I’m sixty years old. “Exactly. ideal age for exploration. Mom went first, which completely shocked me.

About halfway up, she yelled: “THEO! I will haunt you if I fall. She stayed upright. She made it to the summit. Her eyes were shining when she descended. “All right, professor. Not too awful. “I would like to prepare dinner for you both as a way to wrap up the day,” Theo added.

“My place.” Mom gave me a glance. “I’m at a loss. I must view this man’s residence. Perhaps I’ll find his hidden hideout. Theo had a lovely home. tidy. Warm. It had a cedar and citrus scent. It was the first time I had gone there. And I was taken aback.

“Did you buy this on a teacher’s salary or rob a bank?” Looking into the kitchen, Mom enquired. “In high school, I began saving. In addition, I occasionally offer online courses. Hard labour is rewarded. “Well, look at you,” she said in a whisper.

Then, with greater volume, “Does the fridge clean itself, or are you just this weird?” Theo merely chuckled. On the terrace, we took a seat. As the sun sank, Theo grilled steaks close by. Mom reclined. In fact, I was at ease.

“You know… he’s not so bad, honey.” “Really? Whoa. You’re on fire today, Mom.” “I was overly suspicious. due to the fact that your father departed. Additionally, I didn’t want you to suffer the same burns that I experienced. “But it’s my life, Mom. I must learn from my mistakes.

Follow my own path. “Theo is amazing. He clearly loves you. He saved his future mother-in-law by jumping into a lake, after all. We both chuckled.

Additionally, he had the option to drop me on that climbing wall. However, he didn’t. It takes nerve control. Theo came over with two platters. “Hungry?” “Always,” Mom replied. “Even for this? due to the fact that I have another course.” Theo dropped to one knee. “I’ve had the best three months of my life, Elizabeth. Everything now has colour thanks to you.

And your mother—we’ve become pals.” “Almost,” Mom said. “The rule list wasn’t enough to frighten me away. I want to share my life, my house, everything. Yes, you should see your mother, but just twice a week at most. He chuckled.

I let out a gasp. “Will you marry me?” I blinked. Heart pounding. Mom said, “Sweetheart,” and pushed me. “I’d have said yes already.”

“Yes. “Yes, of course!” Mom changed. We stopped living in a co-dependent cycle after she began Pilates and purchased her first flowered swimsuit. Despite our separation, we were always family. At last, our coffee dates resembled conversations between long-time friends.

She informed me about her exercise course. I explained to her that Theo had neglected to take out the trash, referring to it as a “creative delay.” At last, I was myself.

And I believe she did, too. Share this story with your friends and let us know what you think. It could give them motivation and make their day.