Yeah, he’s nice … but I’ll still always believe that no one is good enough for my big sister (sorry Yan)
Key Points:
my sister is my best friend
we had not seen each other in months
her ex-boyfriend is a piece of shit, so the bar was pretty low
Side note: His name is Yan, but when I met him over FaceTime I thought my sister said Hwan, so ever since then I referred to him as Hwan. Now my mom calls him Yanissimo and my best friend calls him won-ton.
I walk into my house, backpack in one hand and duffel bag in the other.
The door slams and I hear my sister Caroline’s voice (she is uncontrollably, obnoxiously loud)
"Macky!"
BANG! Both of my bags drop to the floor, I run around the corner to see my sister, and I tackle her in a hug, landing with my back on the couch and her on my side.
Then I tilt my head up…
"Oh, hey Hwan. Nice to meet ya."
-Me...
As I’m looking up at his face upside down, clutching my sister, while he looks at my head with my neck awkwardly extended.
"Hey Mac, what’s up?" Hwan asked, probably scared to hear the answer.
And that was my first impression of my sister's boyfriend, Yan Alexander Maximillian Stransky. And yes, that is his full LEGAL name.
Anyway, I was surprised by how comfortable he seemed and how well he immediately fit in. Especially considering the fact that my friend asked if my sister had warned him beforehand. (Thanks, Dani... I'm not that psycho)
My sister wanted to take him for a drive around our hometown. So naturally, it being a Friday afternoon on a sunny day, I grabbed a drink for the ride since my sister was driving.
Yan looked at me and I was ready to be reprimanded for starting before 5pm, but instead, I got a “Oh shit, good idea Mac!”
He then proceeded to reach inside his bag to grab a beer. Immediately, I knew our very Irish family would like this kid. I mean, my sister's last boyfriend was previously banned from the house, but that’s another story. Like I said, the bar was low...
**Also, a note about me important to the story - I tend to make jokes that will make people uncomfortable: ex- “Ugh thank goodness I’m back in the kitchen, a woman’s rightful place,” or “Ah Caroline, your outfit is very hobo chic… very nice.”**
It’s always a joke and always out of love, but no one besides my family ever comes back at me when I make jokes like that.
HWAN HOWEVER… participated in the Caroline sister slander AND made fun of me too.
Exhibit A:
“I mean, it seems like she set the bar pretty low with the last one, so I wasn’t too worried about coming here to meet you guys.”
Me: “Yeah Caroline’s pretty loud.”
Hwan: “I mean you shouldn’t really be talking over there.”
Me: *screams* “HEY!"
Hwan: *raises eyebrows*
Me: " …okay point taken.”
AND he participated in the family tradition of playing cornhole in the basement while trash-talking one another and playing country music too loud. And yes, before you ask I live BFE. (bum fuck Egypt)
He also acted interested in my mom's nursing gibberish, which definitely gave him brownie points.
But the best part about meeting Yan was seeing how well he treated my sister. I don’t know if there is anyone I love more than her, so obviously I’m going to expect her boyfriend to absolutely adore her. And from what I can see… he does. He proved to be extremely respectful, kind, fun and had a VERY Caroline vibe. (Which is completely opposite of mine)
SOOO
Are they both a little odd in my mind?
Well, yes.
I go to a private University in Fairfield, CT, while these two go to college in the middle of New Hampshire, go hiking barefoot, and want to live in a remodeled bus.
But they work well together.
She was able to find someone who fit her perfectly. They both have very strong individual personalities, but they complement each other beautifully. I swear, I’ve never seen my sister so happy.
It’s all I ever wanted for her. So Hwan, if you’re reading this… thanks :)