So, this letter-writing little shrew whose mom might be marrying her father-in-law thinks that mom should forego a name change so that she can have the name for herself. She also would rather mom not attend her church. What about living in the same town? Shopping in the same stores? Can mom buy the same type of car you bought (or, more likely your husband or father-in-law financed for you), or, should she continue to drive around in her old one?

Newsflash, you selfish, conniving, immature runt: you don't own your last name, and, frankly, your father in law had it before any of you had it and therefore has the right to "give" it anyone he wants. Secondly, you don't own your church, its parishioners, or its member list. Any idea why people attend church (probably not)? Finally, you may want to find an application to one of those cable TV reality shows and sign up. From what I hear of them, you'd fit right in, and, with the money you'd earn with your talents, you could buy your own last name and found your own church.

I thought Prudie was WAY to soft on this cow. He mother needs her permission to date other men? She has stated no tangilble reason why her mom and FIL shouldn't get together other than she doesn't like it.

My god, what a horrible woman.

I think it's abundantly clear what the letter writer's problem is. She is going from a "normal" relationship to a weird one and she is powerless to stop it. Once her mother marries the father in law she facing awkward moments when people say "so, you married your step-brother. ew..." That's why she doesn't want her in church. People will start talking and her social status will be damaged.

Yes, exactly. And God forbid!

There is a situation like this in my family and honestly it is not that weird. My cousin married a man who had a single father. Her father in law met my aunt and fell in love - they have been happily married for over 20 years and no thinks anything of it. We joke about it - but it is funny - although it is no one elses business. Plus, both couples are happily married and that satisfies those that love them.

If this woman is more concerned about the "strangeness" of the situation than the happiness of her mother and father-in-law than that shows where her real concern is -herself. Sure my family has endured akward moments, silly comments and dumb questions -- but if my aunt and uncle have found a contentment and peace together then the price is not so high.

Worse than that, people might actually laugh at her! I'll start now. hee hee hee!

What a bridezilla that one must have been. God does have a sense of humor.

I think this woman would have a problem no matter who her mother was dating. I think she is bothered by the whole idea of her mom having a new intimate-personal life, instead of just being mom.

Isn't it interesting how the husband seems to have no opinion on this? She speaks of discussions between the four of them, but no mention made of any problem for the husband (future step-brother).

Everyone is just a little too worked up about this....

The daughter has obviously not seen the benefits of this possible arrangement... No more worries about which family's house to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter,etc... Less presents to buy...

Amen tonto_goldberg, on both the laughing at her and the bridezilla peg. The bridezilla angle was first thought, actually, when reading the letter (especially the part about the last name).

After all, they're just dating now. They might make the decision that they don't want to be married again. Either way, it's no one's business but their own.

As for the last name, well the daughter doesn't say what happened, but the mother is so adamant about changing her surname that I'm guessing the divorce wasn't pretty.

Tempests, teapots.

I just can't get over the fact that the OP thinks she owns the rights to her last name. She reminds me of myself when I was five, and I threw a tantrum because my little sister got the same pink velcro shoes as me and therefore 'copied' me.

Yes, five years old sounds about right. It's all about me me me me me. Sheesh, what a brat.

What a selfish, immature brat! Prudie was WAY nicer to this poor excuse for a daughter than I would have been. Instead of being glad for her mom finding some happiness in her life, it’s all about “me, me me!”. And I fail to see what the problem is with it anyway. And she thinks they should have sat down with them to discuss how it would affect them, the grown children, before they started dating? Why do they need their children’s permission to date anyone? Give me a break!!!

I wonder if he really has no opinion or if she dismissed/didn't listen/doesn't care about his trifling opinion.

On the other hand, maybe he thinks it would be kinky when he's married to his stepsister.

My money would be bet on the former. No one but herself seems to matter to bridezilla.