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

At 37, I thought I could date in peace, but my controlling mom crashed my dinner with Theo, hiding in my closet with a headlamp and a list of rules for him. She interrogated him, handed him a typo-ridden “Rules for Dating My Daugter,” and scared him off. I was devastated, thinking he was gone forever. Three days later, Theo planned a surprise date for both of us. He took us to his lecture, a boat ride, and a climbing wall, charming Mom despite her fall into the lake. At his beautiful home,

Mom admitted she was overprotective because of her past. Theo proposed, promising to share his life with me and even tolerate Mom twice a week. I said yes. Mom started Pilates, and our relationship became less co-dependent. Coffee dates felt like chats between friends. I became myself, and so did she.