Theo left, and I was left wondering if I’d ever see him again. Three days later, I sent him an apology text. To my surprise, he showed up at my door with flowers, and a plan to get my mom on his side. He took us on a lecture, then a boat ride, remembering all of Mom’s favorite details. At first, Mom grumbled, but by the end of the day, she was laughing, even after falling into the lake and getting soaked. Theo continued to win her over with a mix of charm and persistence, even managing to get her to climb a wall. By the end of the day, she admitted,

“He’s not so bad.” Then, at dinner, Theo surprised me with a proposal. “Will you marry me?” he asked, making it clear that my mom was a package deal. To my relief, my mom had softened—finally, she understood. Afterward, Mom started taking Pilates and even bought her first floral swimsuit. Our relationship shifted—no longer co-dependent, but still close. Coffee dates became chats between friends, and I finally felt like I was truly living my own life. And, I think, so was Mom.2 /