Caroline is horrified when she meets her son’s new in-laws. While she was a high-class socialite, they came from simple origins with less financial means. She judges them by their appearance, not who they are as people. But when she tries to stop them from attending their children’s wedding, her husband reveals her secret origins. This story was inspired by a reader of AmoMama, where the incident was originally published.
The Bride From a Poor Home
Lydia made a good first impression on Caroline, which was good. First impressions are very important and no one knew that better than socialite Caroline. Her son, Ben, had dated Lydia for a few years, but since they lived abroad, Caroline only got to meet Lydia soon before their engagement. Ben already had the ring, an heirloom from his father’s side of the family, re-sized to fit Lydia. But Caroline didn’t think Lydia could really fit it, a stunning piece with a large centerpiece diamond worn by generations of upper-class women. Meanwhile, Lydia was from a poor home with no significant roots. She was pretty and kind, sure, but she had no status.
Annoyingly, Caroline seemed to be the only one bothered by this. Ben was blind by his love to see the importance of good birth and connections and his father, Collin, sided with him against his wife.
“It doesn’t matter where she comes from,” Collin said. “She seems lovely and she makes Ben so happy.” Outnumbered, Caroline could only silently watch as the engagement commenced.
She tried not to worry about the outcome of this match, not think about how her friend lost status when she married a man of poor stature, or how another friend’s daughter got fewer invitations to galas after marrying a boy with embarrassing and uncouth parents. But her worries peaked when she finally met Lydia’s parents at the engagement party.
Jen and Seth were just as embarrassing and uncouth. They laughed loudly, chatted with people without proper ado, and spoke openly about their laborious work at a fishery. Their appearance screamed impropriety before they even opened their mouths. Seth’s suit was horribly outdated and frayed at the elbows and knees and Jen wore a bright dress with a garish pattern.
The Embarrassing In-Laws
After the party, Caroline couldn’t stay quiet about the matter anymore, telling her husband that she must stop Ben from ruining his status but Collin shut her down.
“Leave them alone,” he said. “They’re good people and they seemed to be well-liked by our guests. It doesn’t matter what they wear.”
But Caroline was convinced people secretly held disdain for Jen and Seth, and by extension Lydia. They were ruining Ben’s potential to climb into high society. Unable to prevent the wedding, Caroline decided to make it the party of the decade. Everyone would remember the event for all the right reasons and it will help her son and Lydia’s standing. So she met with Lydia and Jen for lunch and explained the importance of their appearance at the event. But as she began to list styles that were in vogue, Jen cut her off.
“Thank you for your advice but I already got my dress,” she said. “Besides, I can’t afford the styles you mentioned.”
Caroline was affronted at how easily she admitted not being able to afford something. “Buy something new as my treat. There will be a dress code at the wedding.”
“There’s no need,” said Jen. “My dress will be fancy enough.”
Caroline ground her teeth, but before she could express her doubt, Lydia shifted the topic to her own bridal dress and invited her future mother-in-law to go shopping with her. It was such a delicate way to demure the current topic that Caroline allowed it. At least Lydia seemed to have the wisdom and diplomacy for high society, even if her parents didn’t. Besides, Caroline already thought of a new plan.
“You May Not Enter”
On the wedding day, Jen and Seth arrived at the castle-like venue only to be confronted by a security guard. It took only a single glance at Seth’s outdated suit and Jen’s frilly dress to identify them. He informed them that they were not in line with the dress code and would not be allowed inside. They protested, saying they are the parents of the bride, but he did not budge, saying Caroline had warned him that some distasteful people would try to defy the code.
The couple was shocked and hurt that Caroline had barred them from seeing their only child’s wedding. Fortunately, Collin arrived and learned what was going on. He grew furious, apologizing on behalf of his wife, but still, the guard wouldn’t let him override Caroline’s orders. Caroline herself was not answering her phone and was nowhere to be found so Collin drove the couple back to their house. There, he lent Seth one of his suits and let Jen take her pick of anything from Caroline’s wardrobe. She was more petite than Caroline but eventually found a beautiful gown styled with a belt that fitted her nicely.
They returned to the venue before the wedding was underway. Caroline was in the middle of greeting many high-standing guests when she saw her husband enter with a fancy-looking couple. Then she recognized them. And Jen was wearing the gown she bought for the next charity gala! But before she could say anything, her husband caught her eye. She understood and smiled to welcome the couple. They greeted her with an edge of coldness. They were still deeply hurt but they were determined not to make a scene on their daughter’s wedding day.
Don’t Forget From Where You’ve Come
The peace was kept until dinner when Collin stood up to make a speech. He praised Ben and Lydia and joked that Ben had continued the family tradition of marrying a fisherman’s daughter. Caroline was horrified as Collin told the story of how they met. She was working on her father’s boat while he was vacationing at the harbor. It was embarrassing to think about how she looked then, like a wild child, especially when compared to Collin’s posh appearance. She had tried to hide her past from all of the high-class people in attendance but now they knew the truth.
Caroline wanted to run away but she caught herself, forcing herself to smile as if she was in on the joke, not the butt of it. She was relieved when Collin finally finished speaking and the dancing resumed. She didn’t know what to do with herself but Lydia came over and pulled her into a hug.
“I didn’t know we came from the same place,” she whispered. “I hope I can learn to be as graceful and refined as you.”
Caroline began crying as she hugged Lydia back. “No, I have a lot to learn from you. You are more graceful and refined than I ever was. I understand why Ben loves you so much.”
Lydia smiled and pulled her mother-in-law onto the dance floor. There, Caroline embraced Seth and Jen and apologized for everything she put them through. Then she danced with her new family, ignoring anyone who may judge her.
This story was inspired by an original piece of fiction that first appeared on AmoMama. Any similarities between this story and actual people are purely coincidental.
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