Dear Tell All: I'm engaged to a beautiful woman. She's the most beautiful one I've ever dated, and that's saying something. I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur. My type is tall and thin, with high cheekbones and full lips. And my fiancée checks off all those boxes.
But something has been nagging at me, which is why I write. When I first met my fiancée's mother a couple years ago, I almost fainted. I could see the resemblance, but whereas my fiancée is gorgeous, my future mother-in-law is...less than gorgeous. She has a weird nose and a slightly creepy mouth. Worst of all, she's overweight.
You can probably see where this is going. I'm worried that my beautiful fiancée is going to end up looking like her mother. I'm not seeking advice on the relationship, since I'm certainly not going to break off my engagement over this. But I am looking for some encouragement. With diet, exercise and maybe even surgery, is there any way my beautiful wife could avoid looking like her mother?
Altar Boy
Dear Altar Boy: I'm not going to encourage you because I find your whole premise reprehensible. I didn't hear you say a word about love, only about looks.
I've got news for you, Altar Boy: Anyone you marry is likely to change significantly as she ages. And for someone as shallow as you, that may well be tragic. But someone who can recognize the more important things about a person -- a soul, a heart -- will be able to put the normal aging process in perspective.
While I can't encourage you, I'd do everything I can to discourage your fiancée from going through with this marriage. Unless you change your attitude, I don't see you aging well at all.
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison? Write Tell All, 101 King St., Madison, WI, 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com.
