“I get that. I really do…” This is unlike Klair, who usually embodies athe more, the merriermentality. “But don’t you think that’s a lot of pressure to put onto this evening? And a little weird?”
“Yeah, aren’t you already super stressed about introducing your parents to theever-so-dreamynew man in your life?” Peeping his head between us, Dean physically and literally inserts himself into our conversation.I almost forgot he was back there!
“Well shit! I am now…thanks for the reminder team.” The three of us burst out laughing and yes, while I am incredibly anxious about the thought of introducing Graham to my parents, I know they are going to absolutely adore him.How could you not?
We turn down the familiar street of my parents’ neighborhood in the heart of upstate New York Suburbia—a blast from the past, especially with Klair riding shotgun. After graduating high school and college, our professional lives totally monopolized everything else so it seems like it’s been forever since we’ve been home together. Regardless of how long it’s been, pulling up to my family’s modest two-story always evokes the same emotion:Home.
Graham is leaning against his parked SUV as I pull into the driveway, a smile widening across his face when he sees us. Looking at the clock, I laugh to myself, noting that I would be concerned if Grahamhadn’tshown up twenty minutes early to an event I’d invited him to. Even though a small part of me wanted a moment alone with my parents to threaten them with a heads up to behave, seeing him here, looking gorgeous and relaxed, makes my stomach do backflips in the best possible way.
“Well, hello there, handsome,” I say, getting out of the car and looking him up and down—failing to be discreet about it.Whatever.
Graham’s more casually dressed than his typical suit and tie combo in the office, but he’s definitely arrived ready to impress in his form-fitting, dark-washed jeans and a gray sweater underneath a sharp blazer. His eyes are hidden behind black, tinted aviator sunglasses and just when I think he couldn’t get any more picture-perfect in this moment, he runs a hand through his loosely styled hair, flashing me that dazzling smile of his, and my entire body stills.
How is he real?
Pulling me into a bear hug, the intoxicating mixture of his cologne andhimmakes me melt against his strong body. “I’ve missed you,” he says against my ear, his scruff sending multiple rounds of chills down my spine. Instinctually, I wrap my arms around his neck at the same time he grips my hips, pulling our bodies closer together than they already are. Graham plants a burning trail of kisses from my jaw, along my cheek and ever so gently on my lips, eliciting an audible moan from my mouth.
“There’s a one hundred percent chance…my parents are…totally watching from the window,” I say between torturous kisses.
“Good,” he says playfully before giving me another kiss, letting his lips linger against mine for another perfect moment as he wraps his arms around my back. “Hopefully they can see that I make you happy!”
I lean my forehead against his, tapping his chest with my hands. “I thinkeveryonecan see that,” I admit, and it’s the truth. I don’t think anyone haseverseen me this happy.
“Alright, lovebirds…can we go inside?” Dean yells from where he and Klair are waiting in the driveway, causing Graham and me to both laugh.
“Come on,” I say, tugging at his arm. “Let’s get this over with!”
“One sec…” He turns and opens his car door, retrieving a bottle of wine and a gorgeous bouquet of white peonies.Who is this man?
“Did you bring my mother flowers?” I say through a smile so big my cheeks start to hurt.
“Of course…I want her to like me.” He shakes the bottle of red. “Your dad, too.” All of my previous nerves disappear as we join Klair and Dean, making our way to the front door of my childhood home. As if on cue, it swings open, revealing the ecstatic faces and loud screeches of both of my parents as they come barreling at us at full force.
“Ahhh…Will!” my mother half shouts, half cries as she launches herself at me. As much of a scene as this is, there is something so special about a mom hug. I see my dad smother Klair in a tight hug, one filled with affection and familiarity as she spent almost every day with our family growing up, and hear her introducing Dean.
My mother has always been petite in stature but has a larger than life personality, one that has earned her the appropriate nicknameFirecrackerfrom my dad. He’s always said it’s because she fills his world with so much light, but I’m of the belief it’s because she has the ability to put onquitethe spectacle.
She places her hands on either side of my face, and looking into her eyes, I realize she looks exactly how I’ve always known her. Perhaps with the exception of a few wrinkles here and there and some random gray hairs in her dark blonde hair that she’s informed me she’s fully embracing. “It isso goodto see you, son.” I can hear the emotion in her voice as she slams me into another hug.
I give her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so good to see you, too. I’d like to introduce you both to someone…” I say, taking a step back toward Graham as my dad has now joined us. Klair and Dean have kindly stepped inside, giving this introduction some privacy. “Mom, Dad…this is Graham Austin, my boyfriend. Graham, this is my mom, Liz, and my dad, John.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you both, Mr. and Mrs. Cowen. Will has spoken so highly of the two of you.”
Both my parents smile at him, clearly taken by his formality and overall…Graham-ness.
“Oh sweetheart, please call me Liz,” my mom says, giving Graham an equally enthusiastic hug, having to stand on her toes to wrap her arms around his neck. She winks at me from over his shoulder, mouthingOH MY GOD, clearly feeling the strength of his muscles and maybe lingering a little too long.Only my mother.
“And I assume these are for me?” my dad jokes, taking the flowers from Graham and giving his now empty hand a firm shake. “They’re beautiful…you shouldn’t have, Graham.”
“Not as beautiful as you, John,” Graham quickly fires back. Yeah, he’s going to fit in perfectly with these two.
“Oh Lord…please ignore him,” my mom says, swatting my dad’s arm and putting hers around Graham. “Come on in, you two…the food’s almost ready!”
The four of us head inside and the familiar smell of my mom’s favorite sugar-cookie-scented candles greet us as we cross the threshold. No matter how much has changed in my life, coming home is like taking a step back in time. Everything is exactly how I remember it—the antique wooden bench in the entryway that used to belong to my grandmother, the smattering of gold-framed childhood photos, the lightly worn but cozy furniture. I get lost in the comforting nostalgia of it all as Graham and I take off our shoes and join Klair and Dean in the living room, who have clearly made themselves right at home on the overstuffed couch.
“Is there anything I can help you with, Liz?” Graham asks my mom who’s already begun busying herself in the kitchen. As much as I know he wants to make a good first impression,thisis who he genuinely is—always ready and willing to offer a hand.
“Absolutely not, young man,” she says, ushering him out of the kitchen. “That’s why I had a kid, so thathecould help. Go make yourself comfortable, sweetie.”