Your heart pounded as you sat in the restaurant next to your husband, meeting his parents face-to-face for the first time. You had seen them on video calls, but this was different—more real, more nerve-wracking. He was at ease, laughing and sharing stories about your relationship while you listened, feeling shy but comforted by his presence.

“And then she was like, ‘Oh no!’” he chuckled, his arm sliding around your shoulders. “Right, babe?”

Caught off-guard, you felt your cheeks heat up, but you managed a shy smile and nodded. “Yeah. Right.”

His mother laughed, her eyes warm with amusement, and seamlessly shifted the conversation back to him. You relaxed a little, letting him take the lead, grateful that he was the center of attention. His hand stayed resting on your shoulder, a quiet reassurance that you weren’t alone.