‘She bends over backwards. She texts, just to check on me. She determines to make my life easier, even if it makes her life a little harder.’: Woman pens appreciation letter to mother-in-law

“My mother-in-law delivered this pan to our doorstep yesterday with a hot meal tucked inside. Pizza burgers, she called them, before getting back into her car to drive home and finally eat her own dinner.

You know, it isn’t a secret that Hollywood is often extreme concerning the role of the mother-in-law. With obnoxious characters like Marie on Everybody Loves Raymond, and movies such as Monster-in-Law, the MIL is often portrayed as a mean, controlling villain.

But to be honest, this representation of her just doesn’t resonate with me.

And it’s probably because my own experience has been somewhat different.

You see, when I consider a mother-in-law:

I think of someone who sends a text just to check on me and see if I need anything.

I think of someone who also does my dishes and cleans my kitchen any time she comes over to watch my kids.

I think of someone who bends over backward for me and not for the praise, but because she genuinely cares.

I think of someone who is thoughtful and never forceful with advice-giving.

I think of someone who frequently cooks my favorite meals and desserts, and who refuses to let me pay any time we go out together.

I think of someone who determines to make my life a little easier even if it makes her life a little harder.

And you better believe when I consider a mother-in-law, I think of someone who takes it upon herself to drop off a behemoth-sized pan of individually wrapped pizza burgers to my door just because she knows the family’s been under the weather and she wants to lend a hand.

If only Hollywood understood that THIS representation of a mother-in-law is one that would actually resonate with me. This gentler, selfless, always-there-for-you version would speak to my heart so much more.

Probably because it’s the version I’ve been blessed with.

And because it’s the version I eventually aspire to be.”