If You're In (Or Have Been In) An Interracial Relationship, I Want To Know What It Was Like Meeting Your Partner's Family

Meeting your partner's family can always be daunting, but there can sometimes be even more anxiety when you're in an interracial relationship.

Introducing your partner to your family can always be a bit daunting, whether on your end or your partner's. However, there can be a bit more scrutiny around it when you're in an interracial relationship.

NBCUniversal

As someone who is mixed race, i.e. the product of an interracial relationship, I've heard some stories of reactions that range from extremely volatile to incredibly healthy — including from my own parents and aunts and uncles.

Sometimes, it's tough to deal with navigating your love for your family, your love for your partner, and the reality of the situation (like, especially if it comes down to the fact that your family is just being racist). Other times, any anxiety around it was for naught and everyone hits it off.

Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

So I want to know: People in interracial relationships, what happened when you introduced your partner to your family?

I also want to acknowledge that sometimes, you could even feel betrayed or thrown to the sharks by your own partner if they're in denial, didn't really prepare either side, or didn't protect you.

Typically, people give their family and partner a rundown of personalities, talking points and any relevant insight. Should you have to give your family a heads up that your partner is of a different race? Ideally, no. But, if you know it might catch them off guard (or worse) and put your partner in an uncomfortable situation, then you probably should deal with your family first before subjecting your partner to a whole evening with them.

Maybe your partner's family was so dramatically against you that you fled their house in tears, only for your partner to threaten to cut off their whole family off unless they accepted you.

CBS

Or, maybe your parents kept trying to set you up with someone of your culture, even after you made it clear you were marrying your partner.

Netflix

On the other hand, maybe the interracial aspect of your relationship was a nonissue, and your family and your partner's family enjoy learning about and practicing each other's cultures.

Amazon Studios / Lionsgate

Tell me what it was like introducing your partner to your family or being introduced to your partner's family; what happened, how you all handled it, and where you are now. How did the experience impact your relationship and future?

Did you have to cut people off? Did everyone come around? Did you question having children together and exposing them to one side of their family? 

Do you now celebrate holidays together? Did you end up embracing each other's traditions?

If you feel more comfortable sharing anonymously, use this Google form. You could be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post.