introduction

09 December 2010

08:29

Good-morning Sir and Ma, may I call you Dad(ddy?) and Mum(my?). My name is Omawumi and I am aspiring to be your son's wife. I would technically not call myself his girl- friend because strictly speaking I left girlhood quite a few years ago, and the phrase woman friend just has certain unwholesome connotations. We still have a few issues to iron out before I can safely commit myself to the title of fiancé however. Quite  unlike with your generation the issues that crop up in relationships today are far more diverse, and with farther reaching consequences. For instance, a kiss was as much a part of lovemaking when Denise Robins wrote her romance novels. A man and a woman spending time together and seeing each other regularly by preset appointment would have been accepted to be dating. Nowadays, neither of these things add up to a relationship until we decide to say they do! I hope you begin to understand my dilemma with my role in your lives and the purpose of this visit.

I am a God fearing young woman, who loves  children as my name suggests. I will be a worthy addition to your family. I am free from communicable  diseases and my genotype is compatible with your son's. My parents are respectably retired civil servants who now teach Sunday school. I am polite and courteous like you should have observed from the start of our meeting. I must add that I have excellent sense of style and I quite object to having to wear this Lace today. It doesn't fit anything in my wardrobe and it promises to prove completely useless after this occasion. It doesn't help either that there's yet another to-do next week I must be 'properly' attired for. I  object even more strongly to this tour of relatives I am embarked on. I understand that your son is trying to marry me. Why then am I the objet d'art, set on display for your whole family to peruse, and comment...and tear apart?

I love your son and cannot imagine a life without him. I want to give him this, my one lifetime. I had naively expected love to be everything, and more than enough. I hereby appeal gently to be allowed to do that in peace, in my own way, with or without your support.

Respectfully,

Your daughter- in- law- to- be

Omawumi