sweet or cringe?

 

My mother-in-law (who I adore and have a great relationship with) called to see if she could come by and visit the kids. She then was so excited to tell me this story:

“I was talking to a friend about my wonderful daughter-in-law and how great our relationship is,” she said. “And my friend told me, ‘Oh, I call mine a daughter-in-love.’ Isn’t that sweet? So I want to start calling you that — and you can call me mother-in-love.”

I felt genuinely touched.

Later, I shared the story with a friend of mine. And her response?

“Oh man. My MIL calls me that, and it makes me cringe.”

That made me pause.

Because here’s the thing: language only works when it feels true. When it matches the emotional tone of the relationship. Otherwise, it feels inauthentic. Like trying to paste a pretty label on something that hasn’t yet earned the sentiment behind it.

Words matter. Not just what we say — but how honest and aligned they are with how we feel.

So maybe today, just notice.

Where does your language feel honest?
Where does it feel performative?
And is there a small step you could take to bring those two closer together?

To your love,

 
 
 

Ready to shift the dynamic in your relationship?

Start here👇🏼

 
Andrea Dindinger