Eep

My nerves are really starting to kick in about this trip. I still have no idea what to bring for his parents and sister. I was thinking wine and chocolates for his parents, and chocolates and maybe these nice soaps that they sell near here for the sister/sister's boyfriend. Overkill? Maybe. Flowers would probably not survive the car ride, and I don't want to buy his sister a plant (some people don't like having to take care of plants). I also toyed with the idea of sending an Edible Arrangement. My parents have received a few of those, and they are very novel and tasty. But would I send it to get there for tomorrow, before him and I arrive, or after we leave? And since his parents don't live at the house, it would more be a gift for his sister. Blah. I know that I am thinking about this too much. I want to bring something thoughtful, but not something too extravagant. This whole gift thing is complicated by the fact that I am not his girlfriend, and they all know that I am having sex with him. I don't know why that makes it more complicated to me, but it does. I don't want them to think that I am trying too hard, but I also don't want them to think that I am ungrateful for their generosity in buying me the ticket, letting me stay there for the weekend, and probably paying for plenty of other things too (of course, I will offer to pay for meals/some of the activities we do). I am over thinking this. Story of my life.

I am trying to work on a paper, but my mind keeps going back to this trip. I have met friends' parents before, and boyfriends' parents, but never friends-with-benefits' parents. How am I supposed to act? I know... be polite, be myself, relax, have fun... but it is WEIRD, right? I am not intimidated by his parents, per se, but it is a lot to take in in one weekend. I am meeting his dad, mom, sister, sister's boyfriend, and probably some of his dad's colleagues. Why did I agree to this? It is too late to back out now. When he first mentioned this trip, I didn't think it would actually happen. When I first agreed to actually go, I had no idea that both of his parents would be there, or that we would be staying with his sister. By the time I found that out, the tickets were already purchased, the rental car was already reserved, and he had already told them I was coming. I could have backed out. I could have backed out a bunch of times. Now, it is too late. By this time tomorrow, we will be on the road. Then I am trapped for four days with him and his family, whether we get along or not. And I will be the only one who is out of my element. Everyone else will be comfortable with their surrounding and with the people around them. I just can't think straight right now.

This little panic really came out of nowhere. I have been feeling fine, and even looking forward to the trip. Now I am wondering what the hell I was thinking when I agreed to this. Maybe I will go see if K is home--just to get out of my apartment for a few minutes.