Rosa, standing on her parents’ doorstep, took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself.

She had a box of her mom’s favorite chocolates in her hand, something she always brought along during her visits.

She loved her parents deeply, but each visit seemed to come with a price—a long, awkward conversation about her love life, or more accurately, her lack of one.

At 32, she had a steady job and a fulfilling life, but her parents, especially her mom, couldn’t seem to accept that.

Finally, she rang the doorbell. Within seconds, her mom, Jolene, opened the door, her face lighting up as if she hadn’t seen her daughter in years.

“Hello, dear! So good to see you!” Her mom’s warmth was always comforting, despite the inevitable topic she knew would come up.

“I missed you too, Mom,” Rosa replied, giving her mom a quick hug.

“Come on in, don’t just stand out there!” Jolene said, motioning her in. Rosa stepped inside, and her mom quickly took the box of chocolates, beaming.

Rosa sat on the couch, noticing how every picture and little decoration seemed to have a story. This home had always been a place she could feel safe, even if it came with its share of pressure.

“Where’s dad?” Rosa asked, hoping to steer the conversation somewhere safe.

“Oh, he’s out in town. His car’s acting up again. I keep telling him that old clunker isn’t worth fixing anymore, but he insists. You know how he is. He even named it, you know… Lucille,” her mom laughed, rolling her eyes a little.

Rosa smiled, picturing her dad stubbornly fixing his old car.

“Yeah, I remember. That car has been around forever.” She paused, but it didn’t take long for her mom to change the subject.

“So, how are you, really?” Jolene asked, her tone shifting. Rosa knew what was coming. “Have you met anyone special?”

“Mom…” Rosa sighed, bracing herself.

“What? You’re not young anymore, Rosa,” her mom continued. “Your dad and I… well, we might not be around forever to see grandkids if things keep going like this.”

Rosa rolled her eyes. “Mom, you know I hate talking about this.”

“I know, I know,” Jolene said, not backing down.

“But we just want the best for you, honey. It’s not that we don’t appreciate your independence. We just worry about you being alone.”

Rosa shook her head, trying to suppress a groan.

“Mom, I’m fine. Really.”

“Okay, but listen,” Jolene went on, “just the other day, we ran into the Petersons. They stopped by, and guess who was with them… their son, Robert.”

“Oh no, don’t start with Robert again…” Rosa said, sighing.

“He’s a good man!” her mom argued, looking genuinely enthusiastic.

Rosa crossed her arms.

“The last time I saw him, he was like, 14 years old. I barely remember him.”

“And you two got along so well back then!” Jolene insisted.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t even consider giving him a chance.”

“Mom,” Rosa said firmly, “you’re acting like I’m some kind of… product that you get to arrange for someone.”

“Oh, sweetheart, it’s not like that,” her mom replied, softening her tone.

“We just want to help. In fact, we even invited the Petersons over for Thanksgiving dinner.”

Rosa’s eyes widened.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious, just a casual meet-up,” Jolene tried to assure her. “Maybe something will change. Who knows?”

Rosa put her face in her hands, exasperated.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you pulled out a wedding dress for me at this point.”

Jolene chuckled.

“Oh, come on. I’m not asking for a wedding on the spot, just a simple dinner. Give it a chance, honey.”

Rosa let out a sigh, feeling defeated.

Thanksgiving dinner was shaping up to be anything but relaxing, but she knew there was no escaping it now.

She just hoped it wouldn’t be as unbearable as she feared.

Thanksgiving had arrived, and once again, Rosa found herself standing on her parents’ doorstep, frozen with nerves.

She took a deep breath, hesitating as she heard voices and laughter drifting from inside.

“Okay, Rosa,” she muttered to herself, “It’s just dinner…you can get through this.” Finally, she knocked, and within seconds, the door swung open to reveal her mother, already beaming.

“Come on in, Rosa! The Petersons are already here!” Jolene exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.