I [36f] have a long history of feeling backed into a corner by family with how I handle romance, dating, and my sexuality. When I tried to come out as bisexual in my teens, my family basically ignored it, then made threats to take me to 'family counseling' when they suspected I had a girlfriend.

Dating more than one person at a time was definitely out of the question. To my family, gender, sexuality, and romance were meant to stay straight, monogamous, and normal.

I wound up in a long term relationship for 10 years, 6 of those years married, to a man who had very little in common with me. I felt anxious, uneasy, and full of guilt the entire 10 years. One night, I asked my husband if he would have started dating me in the first place if he'd known previously to asking me out on a first date that I was bisexual. He said, 'Probably not.' I felt like I was in the entirely wrong place in life, but also didn't known if a 'right' place existed.

Though my nesting partner and I have dated in poly, neither of us have had anything that 'sticks'. Just a few dates here or there, maybe a few weeks, before it fizzles out.

Four months ago, I met a great guy through a hobby and we started talking. A little over a month ago, we started dating, and we've clicked incredibly well. For the first time in poly dating, I felt like I found someone who will not only stick around, but that I can continue to form a very fulfilling relationship with.

I've met his mom a few times now, just casual drop-by visits, and my newer partner tested the waters by telling a few friends of his that he's in a poly relationship. He then asked if he would ever be able to meet my own parents.

So I did something I never imagined before- I texted my mom and told her the truth.

Imagine my absolute shock when my mom responded with an open minded, heartfelt response, in which she stated that she just wants me to be happy, and that she was sure the universe works in ways we can't understand, and that if these men love me and keep me happy, then she's also happy.

This is so wildly different from the traumatic coming-out experiences I had growing up. I'm truly shocked. On one hand, I'm weirdly bitter that they were so unsupportive and even hostile to me when I was young and made to feel so alone and outcast. On the other hand, I can't take this open minded acceptance for granted.

So... that's it, I guess. I told them, and it went perfectly fine.

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