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AIBU?

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Worried about the pace of DSs relationship - should spend some time apart?

108 replies

Carzoe · 31/08/2024 22:16

DS is 22, 23 next week, he has just finished uni and is now taking a gap year (well his 2nd gap year as he didn't get to travel much the first one thanks to Covid!). Over the summer he went to Europe backpacking alone, 5 days in he met a girl, travelled with her and her friends for a couple of weeks then they split off together and have been together non stop since. Turns out they went to the same uni and just never met and they seem really close.
They both graduate on Tuesday (no idea why they are so late this year) and have birthdays within the next two weeks so they have come home for 2 weeks. Originally after this DS was going to go to SE Asia (flights booked) but now he has decided he is going back to Europe with her and then they will head to SE Asia together in late October.
As they went to uni in London and both graduate on Tuesday we came to meet him in London today and we met her and her dad over dinner. She seems lovely, very attractive girl and smart too. I'm happy DS is happy however they met 9 weeks ago and haven't actually been apart in 7 weeks!
DS told me tonight that on Wednesday they will both come home with us to Hampshire stay until the Monday then head up to Cumbria where she is from for the last week as it is over her birthday and then leave from there for Italy.
I want to be okay with this but I actually think 2 weeks apart would be for the best, he hasn't been away from her in 7 weeks and is about to travel with her again.

AIBU to think this is way too much and they should each spend 2 weeks with there family after graduation then meet back up to travel if that is what they really want?

It seems so intense I'm worried it will end badly!

OP posts:
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bakewellbride · 01/09/2024 20:07

"It's been 9 weeks and they have already adopted the "boyfriend/girlfriend" titles and said they love each other. "

You'd hate my brother in law op. He said he loved his now wife on the night they met. Engaged 2 weeks after meeting! That was over ten years ago now. Happily married with 3 kids.

AlwaysKindaKnewYoudBeTheDeathOfMe · 01/09/2024 19:31

They've been together more than two months! It's not too fast to say boyfriend and girlfriend.

I think your view of this is kinda weird!

PixieTrance89 · 01/09/2024 18:40

Keep your nose out is my advice

DaisyChain505 · 01/09/2024 18:33

You’re being over protective and interfering. He’s 23 not 13. Leave him to live his own life and make his own mistakes.

Didimum · 01/09/2024 18:32

Come on, OP, kindly you are being really ridiculous.

StMarieforme · 01/09/2024 18:23

tinydynamine · 31/08/2024 22:23

Well, I wish this was my son. Mine is 22, is a recovering alcoholic, suffers from schizophrenia, is home for the weekend from rehab, and spends all the time gaming in his room. Count your blessings!

Heartily agree! I have DD27 similar to your DS and wish she was living this life.

Darhon · 01/09/2024 14:44

It’ll either be the love of his life and they will still be together 20 years later or it will run its course. Like all relationships really. Having 2 weeks off is neither here nor there! Also, lovely to do this whilst you’re young, with no complications or ties. It’s never as easy or as fun when you’re older in a new relationship with a load of baggage.

Snackpocket · 01/09/2024 14:44

I met my DH at 24 so not much older and we’d have spent all our time together had geography not got in the way. We said I love you within months, got married 5 years later and have now been married 13 years.

She might be his “one” or might be the one for right now. Either way it’s not up to you who he spends time with or how much of it he spends with them.

Hunglikeapolevaulter · 01/09/2024 14:33

It's been 9 weeks and they have already adopted the "boyfriend/girlfriend" titles and said they love each other. It just seems so fast.

He's clearly fallen very hard. Honestly at that age and meeting someone that blows you away, 9 weeks isn't that fast, especially if they've been travelling together.

Carzoe · 01/09/2024 14:25

Thank you everyone. I won't say anything and just let him learn whatever lesson this happens to teach.
This isn't his first love, actually it's his 3rd, he had a long term girlfriend in sixth form and was never this attached to her and then again in 1st and 2nd year of uni. That relationship left him distraught so I guess I'm scared for him.

It's been 9 weeks and they have already adopted the "boyfriend/girlfriend" titles and said they love each other. It just seems so fast.

DH and I were friends for a long time before we got together and 28 when we started dating so I don't think we are had this whirlwind moment.

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 01/09/2024 13:52

Crispynoodle · 31/08/2024 23:00

Eldest daughter met her now hubby at uni they were together 8 years when he proposed. Middle DD met her now hubby at uni in her last year they were together 8 months when he proposed. Youngest DD met her bf on freshers week aged 19 at uni and the whole time I fretted in case they broke up then she'd be devastated. They've been together 7 years now and have travelled the world together they are both professionals and work in the big city. They're coming home next weekend and we suspect a permission to be asked! I'm buying champagne and cleaning her Grandmother's diamond ring just in case!

How lovely. Please let us know if you want to.

Babycatsmummy · 01/09/2024 12:13

I think it's time you let him grow up 🙈

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 01/09/2024 12:10

I met my husband at university. We were essentially living together within a week, engaged after 5 months and have now been married 25 years. Sometimes things move quickly for a reason. Give them a chance.

MyNoseSmells · 01/09/2024 12:06

At 23 my "home" was with my DH (then boyfriend/fiance) anyway.

You've no claim on him or where he spends his time or who with.

Trying to will just push him away.

MIL has always been openly bitter that DH moved to 'my' county and away from where his family are.

All that's done is make DH disappointed in her not supporting his decisions. He feels no guilt/regret about his choices and now only sees her out of a sense of duty (generally has to be me that pushes to visit them.)

BabaYetu · 01/09/2024 11:57

Don’t you remember feeling that way? Wouldn’t it have been awful for someone to have tried to rain in that parade?

He’s happy. What’s the worse that happens, they get sick of each other and break up? Statistically he has a good few break ups ahead of him. Back up a bit and met him enjoy love’s young dream.

MasterBeth · 01/09/2024 11:56

None of your business. Young and in love.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 01/09/2024 11:48

Don’t see a problem.

Yazzi · 01/09/2024 11:45

When I was his age, I was already married for two years to the man I married 3 months after I (then 21) met him.

We're still very happily married close to two decades later, but of course it could have been otherwise, though I wouldn't have believed it for a second then! Just be glad you weren't one of our parents, lol!

pictoosh · 01/09/2024 11:41

aCatCalledFawkes · 01/09/2024 11:21

Of course you are being unreasonable 😂😂. He’s 23 not 13. He doesn’t want to spend two weeks with you away from her.
I think it’s great and he should just enjoy it while they have no financial commitments and have the whole world to explore.

I agree.

Bouledeneige · 01/09/2024 11:41

I think voicing any views on what he should or shouldn't be doing in a new relationship will be counter productive and he will distance himself from you. So just not a good idea in practical terms. And in the end its his relationship, his life, his happiness. Just be there for when he might need you and welcome her into your lives.

Flossyts · 01/09/2024 11:32

I’m a bit jealous actually. That sounds wonderful!

HoppingPavlova · 01/09/2024 11:29

Don’t bother. I’m sure we all wish we knew as much as 22/23yo’s, like teens, they know everything and are now extra sure of it because they now have so much experience since being a teen. Saying anything will only end badly, don’t bother, just wait it out and say ‘I told you so’ silently inside your head.

KreedKafer · 01/09/2024 11:26

ArmchairOlympian · 31/08/2024 22:28

This is so reflective of the infantilising on this site and society as a whole

It really is.

aCatCalledFawkes · 01/09/2024 11:21

Of course you are being unreasonable 😂😂. He’s 23 not 13. He doesn’t want to spend two weeks with you away from her.
I think it’s great and he should just enjoy it while they have no financial commitments and have the whole world to explore.

KreedKafer · 01/09/2024 11:20

Given that he is a grown man of 23, what has this actually got to do with you? You’re talking about him as if he’s 15.

Why would an adult man have to spend two weeks with his family?!

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