I Paid the Price for My Son’s Happiness: How I Chose and Won the Perfect Daughter-in-Law for My Beloved Son

I paid for my sons happiness

For a long time, I wrestled with the thought, but eventually decided I would choose my own daughter-in-law a wife for my son, and one for my heart. I resolved to pick out the right young woman, and then bring them together. My son is, to me, the most precious child in the world. I am utterly besotted with him. He was entirely mine for so long. I raised him with the discipline of a soldier since his days in nappies spent countless sleepless nights, tending to him, nursing him, shaping him into the man he became. And now, am I supposed to simply hand over this perfect man to some other woman?

Id always known, deep in my bones, that the day would come when hed find someone to share his life with. But the idea of giving him up to another woman was a torment I could barely stand. Thats when I hatched my plan.

I tried to mask my unease when he first began to notice girls. Yet I found nothing in common with his spoiled girlfriend and I told him plainly, she wasnt right for him. What we needed was a sensible, modest, and decent girl.

I didnt breathe a word of my intentions to my son. Instead, I set about my task, hunting for a fiancée for him with the full weight of a mothers responsibility. I needed someone I could connect with myself someone I could trust.

My pool of candidates was small: the girl next door, a friends daughter, perhaps a handful of girls from my sons old school. After talking to the neighbour and her daughter, I realised it wasnt going to work the daughter was rather on the heavy side and I wanted my son to be happy. He deserved someone slim.

Next, I tried the daughter of my old friend, but she already had a boyfriend, so that was out. As for my sons schoolmates that was a disaster, utterly hopeless.

I was stuck. No other girls came to mind. So I resorted to following my son to see what sort of women captured his attention.

I had to resort to a little white lie, telling him I wished to see him at work. He wasnt keen, but finally agreed. I spent an entire day watching his interactions with his colleagues. I wanted to see which women he might fancy. I chatted with some of the women at his office and picked up all manner of interesting tidbits.

By days end, I knew there wasnt a girl at the office who would do for my son. On the walk back home, my son suggested we stop at a café. At first, I declined, but then thought, perhaps the girl Id been searching for would be there In the warmth of the café, I watched my son strike up a friendly chat with a lovely young waitress. And in that moment, I knew: she was the one Id been looking for.

She was gentle, polite and shy, exactly the sort of girl I longed for my son to marry. I made up my mind to approach her, and explained our unusual situation to her as kindly as I could.

Are you quite mad? she asked, eyes wide. Is this even proper?

Well, I replied, dont you want a better life? My son could give you just that.

I offered her a substantial amount of money more than enough to cover her brothers university fees. In the end, sibling love outshone her reservations, and she promised me shed make my son fall in love with her.

Once our agreement was made, we stayed in touch. I gave her every tip about his favourite foods, his dreams, his quirks anything to help her win his heart.

I wanted results, and I didnt have to wait long. My son, quite soon, lost his head over the girl. He told me about her all the time couldnt stop going on about how wonderful Emily was, how marvellous her cooking was, what sort of music she played, and which films they watched together. I suggested, one evening, that he introduce her to me, and he agreed without hesitation.

When Emily visited, I spoke with her quietly over tea. She confessed shed found herself truly falling for my son, and then almost in tears asked if Id take the money back. But returning the money had never been part of my plan.

If real love had bloomed between them, why would I ever take back what Id given? I told her to keep the money and to begin thinking about the wedding, in her own time.

Now, my children are happy. I have a devoted daughter-in-law, who may yet become my dearest friend and the little secret at the root of their happiness will remain ours, forever. I am glad my scheme helped my son find true joy.