! Should I fly out to meet my boyfriend's family?

[Jayelle]

My boyfriend wants to take me back to his hometown to meet his whole family in May. They live on the other side of the country. I am very excited and nervous about this idea. But I am wondering if we should be engaged before I journey all the way over there to meet them. We have been talking extensively about becoming engaged, but there's no ring yet.

I am wondering how his family will react to me as "just his girlfriend". Will they not take me seriously? I have already met his mother, and meeting his extended family feels to me like something that should be done after we have an official commitment to eachother. Am I being silly? Should I just go? What is your opinion on this?

 

By the way, I am 23 and he is 26.

[bab]

How long have you been dating? I wouldn't worry about his family "accepting" you. They'll see that you are excited about the possibility of being part of the family. I met my now fiance's extended family about 1 month after we started dating. I got to know them, and really liked them. I also went to there Christmas gatherings a year later, and two years after that. Now were engaged, and they are all very excited about it because they already know they llike me, and I like them! They know I'll make a good addition to their family. In short, I think you should go. Good luck!

[Jayelle]

To answer your question we've been exclusive for 8 months.

I think the reason I am a little hestitant to go meet his family before we make a solid commitment, is because I've done all this before. I dated a man for 4 years before I met my boyfriend. I traveled to meet his family and we were very serious but obviously it didn't work out.

I guess I just want this time to be special. Showing up as my boyfriend's fiance instead of his girlfriend would show his family how serious we are.

 

Thanks for the advice.