Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

Friday night there was a first in the Dulin/Bullock household. A teenage boy invited by Lauren came over for dinner to meet her family and then ask for permission to date her. His name is Elliot. Although the two of them had started their "romance" weeks ago, they were committed to not being "official" until Danny and I met and approved of him.

His parents dropped him off around 4:30. His dad driving the mini-van with his two younger siblings watching while his mother (a stay at home full-time mom/wife) accompanied him to the door. I'm not sure who was more nervous Elliot, Lauren or ME!

After simple introductions and light pleasantries, Elliot and Lauren went for a walk. BamBam was their chaperon. By the time they got back, Danny was home and chit chatted awhile as I prepared dinner. Elliot was nervous, sure but had a surprisingly mature, quiet confidence about him. This was a young man who had nothing to hide and was up for the task of "dealing" with Danny and I because he knew perfectly well Lauren was worth it and he is interested in honoring her. What a breath of fresh air!

Dinner was pleasant and where the real "grilling" began. Elliot was respectful and polite, with a laid back laugh. Danny was not shy about our expectations of how he expected Elliot to treat Lauren but also be responsible for leading Lauren. "So, Elliot, you already know Lauren has a phone curfew of 10 pm. I expect you to take the lead in making sure you both honor that."

We have been praying with Lauren about her heart and God's leading in this relationship. Sure, it could last all of 4 months, but all things are a training ground. We have told Lauren how excited we are about this season in her life with Elliot, but reminded her that we are just as responsible for training her as we are in our contact with Elliot training HIM as well.

After dinner, we headed downtown to the Krispy Kreme for free donuts because of the A's Lauren got on her report card. Then we headed to enjoy various art galleries. Elliot is quite the sport as he is a science/math guy who is not so artsy fartsy. He had good company with Danny :) After that, we came back home and the 4 of us hung out watching TV until Elliot's dad picked him up around 10. A good night was had by all! The momentous moment was when Lauren and Elliot were on the couch and changed their "status" on Facebook.

Top 10 Reasons We Approve of Elliot:

1. He claims to be a Christian and seems to come from a God fearing home.
2. He comes from an intact family that focuses on family --- they spend a lot of time together, and as older brother he seems to love and nurture his siblings.
3. He is very smart and extremely well spoken! We're talking Lauren kinda smart! This boy did two summer internships at Duke in a cancer research lab!
4. He has his priorities in place. When he and Lauren "knew" they "liked" each other, he told Lauren that he had to get his college applications done first before he could invest in time in a relationship.
5. He has such a security about who he is --- not because he is cocky or full of pride, but simply as a result of child with good, family upbringing. He is secure in who he is because he knows he is well loved and supported at home and seems to understand the importance of the authority of his parents in his life. He is not anxious to leave the nest or be independent of them unnecessarily.
6. He knows how to just "deal" with that Lauren streak of humor/sarcasm (yes, she gets it from me). He is laid back.
7. He is kind and not embarrassed to affirm her in front of us.
8. He likes sports but isn't a crazy fanatic fan who HAS to watch the game. He was a high level belt in Tai Kwon Do so he's not a pansy boy :)
9. He dresses well. No baggy pants down the butt cheeks. Very preppy.
10. Finally and maybe most importantly, despite his dad being a Dallas fan, he is not.

What new territory for me (and Danny)!!! No, this is not an engagement. No, this could or could not be anything significant. But it is still huge -- a demands of us to parent in an area with Lauren we have not before. I think what I would just like to praise God for is that He has shaped my daughter in such a way that it is the CHARACTER of Elliot that drew her to him. And in the same way, she recognizes it must be her character that honors Elliot before God.