When my boyfriend's mom looked at me like I was something the cat dragged in through mud, dunked in sewage, and flung straight onto her designer rug... I had two choices: tuck my tail and scurry off, or plant my feet and make sure she knows I wasn't going anywhere.

I chose option two...

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Linda said during our first meeting, her eyes sweeping me from head to toe. "Ryan's told us... some things about you."

The pause before "some things" hung between us like an accusation.

It wasn't like I did anything wrong. I was friendly. I brought her favorite lemon squares that Ryan suggested. I complimented her immaculate home with its carefully arranged family photos... none of which would ever include me if she had "her" way.

"These photos are beautiful. Your family has such wonderful memories," I said.

"Yes, we're very particular about who becomes part of them," she replied with a smile that never reached her eyes.

No matter how hard I tried, I could feel her sizing me up every time we were in the same room. Like I was a sale item she couldn't believe her son had picked up.

To be fair, Ryan is her pride and joy. He's self-made, successful, owns his own place, and drives a posh car. In her mind, he's basically the grand prize on a game show. And I "wasn't" exactly the glamorous contestant she pictured him ending up with.

"Do you think your mom will ever warm up to me?" I asked Ryan one night after another tense family dinner.

He pulled me close, his forehead touching mine. "Don't let her get to you. She's just protective."

"Protective or territorial?" I mumbled against his shoulder.

Ryan laughed softly. "Both, probably! But I love you. Mom will come around. Just give her time."

Well... time wasn't exactly working in my favor. Six months in, and things had only gotten worse.

The thing is, I'm just a teacher, raised by a single mom. I come from a regular family, with a regular life and a regular paycheck — no trust fund or designer wardrobe. And I was definitely not the showstopper daughter-in-law Linda must have pictured for Ryan.

After months of awkward family dinners, random side-eye, and her subtle comments about how "back in her day, men liked women with a little more... to offer," I finally snapped.

Not externally because I'm too controlled for that. But something inside me broke and reformed with new resolve.

I was stirring my coffee the morning after Linda had "accidentally" excluded me from a family event when I decided enough was enough.

"You look like you're plotting something," Ryan said, kissing the top of my head on his way to the fridge.

I smiled up at him. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"Your mom."

His shoulders tensed slightly. "What about her?"

"I think it's time we had a talk. Woman to woman."

Ryan's eyes widened. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

I nodded. "It's either that or another five years of passive-aggressive comments about my career choice and the fact that my mother shops at outlet malls."

"She doesn't mean —"

I placed my finger on his lips. "She absolutely means it. But don't worry. I'm not going to make things worse."

Ryan looked doubtful. "Promise?"

"Promise. In fact, I think things might actually get better."

"Now that," he laughed, "would be a miracle."

"Just watch me work," I said, already reaching for my phone.