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Mr. Lab and I went back to his hometown this weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day with his family. I called up my mom to see if she’d like to join us for dinner (my treat!). So, she and my younger brother made the 40 minute trek over to my FMIL’s house. This was a good thing for 3 reasons: 1) I got to see my mom & brother, 2) We could discuss wedding stuff with both mothers present, and 3) I didn’t have to go back to my hometown and face possible family drama with my sisters. Win-win-win!
Me & Mama Lab eating at a Mexican restaurant for Mother’s Day 2009! I’m guessing my hair was all messed up because I downed an entire pitcher of strawberry daiquiri almost all by myself!
But, I bet you’re wondering what the title of this post is all about. Well, starting next week, I will be spending a little over a month with my FMIL.
I landed an internship at a news station in the town she lives in, and rather than find a place to live, she offered to let me stay in Mr. Lab’s bedroom for free. I’m truly grateful because I would not have been able to afford to pay rent back home, and an extra rent during the internship. I will be working about 5-8 hours a day at the station, and am not sure if I’ll be able to find a job for the month I’m there. Thankfully, my financial aid will take care of essentials like food, gas, and rent back home, but that’s all I’ll have for the summer, so money will be very tight.
FSIL, FMIL, and I in St. Petersburg a few years ago
Luckily, FMIL Lab is like a second mother to me. She and I have always gotten along and call each other periodically to talk and catch up. She lives alone with only her Cocker Spaniel, Tobey, so I know she’ll enjoy the company of a human… haha. Plus, we’ll get to do some serious wedding planning while I’m there!
Me & FSIL in Savannah during one of my wedding planning trips
After I finish the internship in FMIL’s town, I’ll be off to Savannah for another internship at a station there. I’ll be staying with FSIL and her hubby! I’m so glad that we all get along so well because I will be getting to know them A LOT this summer. FSIL and I have bickered a couple of times in the past, but we both talked it out and were back to normal in less than a day (we have a healthier relationship than my real sisters and I do). The best part is that I’ll be living in my wedding city for a month, so I won’t have to worry about traveling the 4 hours to get some essential items on my checklist taken care of!
The only bad part about the internships (other than not making any money) will be being apart from Mr. Lab for over 2 months. We’ve already discussed trips to see each other, but it’s going to be really rough, especially since we’re getting married soon after the summer’s over. I guess we’ll see if that old adage, “absences makes the heart grow fonder”, is really true, huh?
Could anyone else spend an entire summer with their in-laws without going stark-raving mad?
I could live with my in-laws. We get along really well and I’ve known them for eight years! Its great you’ll be spending quality time with them before the wedding!
I have known my Fiancee family for almost 20 years! MY FSIL have been friends as well as him and I that long. I love his mom and stepdad!!!!
Um.. I don’t think I could live with either of his parents, but I probably could live with his aunt!
I think I could live with the majority of his family…..but I KNOW he couldn’t live with the majority of mine. 
haha I applied for jobs near where his parents live right when we first started dating and he volunteered that I could live with them before I even met them. Luckily I landed a job closer to home and did not need to take them up on the offer. Now, I think I could live with them since I’ve gotten to know them but it would have been super awkward back then. God luck with those internships and your short term roomies
I lived with my future in-laws for a summer before starting graduate school (my lease ran out in my old apartment and I couldn’t afford the increased rent, and my new university-owned apartment wasn’t available until September). I didn’t go stark-raving mad, but it was a little awkward. I really like my future in-laws, but I like them better when I don’t have to watch Fox News (FMIL) or golf (FFIL) everytime I go downstairs. 
I’m going to say probably not. They aren’t my biggest fans. It’s nice to hear that you have such a nice relationship with yours though Makes me think a girl can hope.
I spent the summer after my first year of law school away from my fiance (he was just my boyfriend at the time, but we were living together already). It was so hard, but it really did make our relationship stronger. I was interning in a city where his sister and her boyfriend lived, and I spent a ton of time hanging out with them and getting to know them better. I missed my bf a ton, but it was totally worth it. Good luck with your internships!
I definitely couldn’t, but am interested to hear how your summer goes — well, I hope!
haha i spent summer last year (3 mths!!) living with my in-laws. generally nice, some rough patches, but overall, we’re still cool. i’d still prefer my own space 
Yes, I would gladly live with my mother in law for a month. She was the most special woman. From the moment my husband and I were wed, she treated me like a daughter.
It was her birthday this week, and I spent some time remembering, and missing her…. along with my own mother (gone 11 years now)
I’ve lived with his dad for about 1.5 years now and we get along great for the most part. he calls me his almost daughter, and my future SILs kids already call me aunt. I could not live with his mom - she’s an alcoholic and we don’t see her much. I could live with his dad’s gf though, we get along really well too. I don’t know if i could do it without FI being here though….I definitely could not be without him, I’m going on a 3 day conference an hour away and THAT’S tough. He said he may have to come and spend the night with me cuz he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to sleep without me
What an exciting summer. Congrats on your internships! I really love my in laws. I feel so lucky that I could definitely handle co-habitating for a bit.
I live with my future in-laws… and fiance. We have separate rooms of course, his parents are very conservative, but due to me starting school again in Fall and the future hubby saving money for life after the wedding… we’re both here! I get along great with his parents, respect them, and am part of the family already. I’m suuuuper blessed to have them!
There is no way I could take more than a couple days with my future in-laws, but it’s great that you have such a good relationship with yours!
Being able to get along with the significant others family definitely makes things a whole lot easier!
I lived with Mr. Sushi at his mom’s house (before she was my in-law) for about 6 months. While I’d rather live in my own house, it wasn’t a bad experience living with her. In fact, we’re a whole lot closer because of it. She really is the sweetest thing.
@A: Haha, Fox News! My FMIL doesn’t watch anything BUT Fox News (and the occasional movie rental). She probably thinks I’m crazy for flipping from CNN and Fox News but as a journalist, I have to stay unbiased by watching all angles!
@lobstergirl: I think I get along so well with them because they have such a small family and welcome anyone into it to make it bigger. And also because I don’t get along with my sisters, so I cling to my FSIL.
@Indie B: This makes me feel a lot better. We’ve already planned our visits out, but it’s still going to be hard. And like you said, I’ll get to know his family really well by the end of it!
@Lisa in NJ: That’s so tough to go through. I’m sorry for your losses. My FMIL’s twin sister passed away last year from ovarian cancer. Apparently, cancer runs in their family which makes me worried for not only her, but Mr. Lab and his sister as well. They’ve lost 5 immediate family to cancer. 
@MrsSl82be: Yeah, I spent ONE night away from Mr. Lab for “Dos de Mayo” and was DYING to go home and see him. I get so homesick for him and my doggies!
@msashleymarie: Haha, I don’t know if I could do the separate room thing! Thankfully neither of our parents are extremely conservative…lol
It’s great to have an in-law family you are close to and can share with!
I read though the post and all the replies and I must say I’m surprised that so many of you have positive experiences living with in-laws! I haven’t actually lived if my FILs, yet, but after going through all the response I’m feeling optimistic about the new relationships. I’ve spent time with my in-laws, but never really more than a few hours at a time, so I’m looking forward to getting to know everyone a lot better.
@xLailax: Yeah, I was really surprised as well! My MOH currently lives with her in-laws (has lived with them since getting married nearly 3 years ago). They did it to save money while finishing college to cut back on student loans and save for a house (which they’re about to buy!). Now she absolutely LOVES her in-laws. I’ve stayed over with them a few times and have grown to love them as well. But it’s a lot easier to live with in-laws when you basically have a separate house like they do (the downstairs has everything but a kitchen so it’s like 2 houses in one).
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Mrs. Labrador Retriever, Athens/Savannah Age and Occupation: 24, Student/Sports Reporter Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Physical Therapy Assistant Student/Future Dr. of PT Engagement Date: December 31, 2008 Wedding Date: November 2009 Venue: Whitfield Square/Savannah Station About Me: I'm working on my second degree from UGA (Go Dawgs!). I'm a self-proclaimed attention-w****. If it involves a camera, I'm in front of it! You'll never meet a girlier tomboy than me. I can go toe to toe with any guy on the subject of college football, and lift more than any girl in my gym, all without chipping a nail. I hope to someday be the only person you want delivering your sports news. My FI and I are the loving parents of three Labrador Retrievers (one of each color) and are planning a "Southern Romantic Charm" wedding in the beautiful, historic city of Savannah. I'm not extreme in anything except moderation... and wedding planning.
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