M-I-L

pretty accurate depiction, down to the stylish wind jacket

I survived Christmas.  It sucked.  And it sucks having to tell everyone who asks, "how was your Christmas?" that it sucked.  Not gonna lie.  Bah humbug.

Why did my holiday suck?  Well...Christmas really highlights an aspect of marriage not many eager brides consider.  This wild card is called the mother-in-law.  Let me tell you, dear Lauren, she can make or break you.

You will see your mother-in-law all the time, have to spend holidays with her and share really important moments in your life with her.  Even if she's not that nice and you really don't care to have her around.  It's all built into that little package called marriage.  And if you marry a mama's boy, good luck with that.
 
You can't ever really get rid or her or her opinions.  Her thoughts and ideas will get back to you, even if they aren't said directly to you.  Her whole way of life will make its way into your life--in the form of how you do laundry, how you cook potatoes, when Christmas presents should be placed under a tree.  Forget about making your own traditions!  It's over!

But I digress...maybe you will be one of the lucky few who get a dream mother-in-law who only supports you and what you do and is evolved enough to let you have your own life with her son.

So, in review, I think a huge part of getting married, dear bride, is knowing not only who you are marrying, but also what kind of family you are marrying into.  Because, for better or worse, you are marrying them also.