Recently, I had one of those deep, meaningful conversations with my son Zaddy—the kind of talk every parent hopes to have at some point. We ended up diving into a wide range of topics surrounding dating, relationships, marriage, and even prenuptial agreements. It was a mix of humor, real talk, and valuable life lessons from my point of view as a mother who’s lived through it all.
We kicked things off lightheartedly. I playfully told Zaddy that I didn’t want him to start dating until the year 2029. His eyes widened, and he immediately objected, saying he’d be way too old by then. Of course, I was joking (well, maybe halfway joking!), but it opened the door for a more serious discussion about how timing, maturity, and readiness all play a role when it comes to love.
Then we moved on to the topic of weddings—and let me tell you, that conversation got real. I explained to Zaddy that planning a wedding is not as simple or small-scale as it might seem at first. I told him, “You think it’ll just be a few people? Think again!” Just our family alone would bring in around 40 to 50 guests. Then you’ve got the bride’s side, and before you know it, you're looking at 120 to 130 people, easy. That number made him pause, especially since he mentioned wanting to get married in Las Vegas. Honestly, I thought that was a fun and creative idea. A Vegas wedding can be glamorous, memorable, and even budget-friendly if done right.
We got deeper into the cost of weddings. I didn’t hold back when I told him how unfair it is that the bride and groom are expected to foot the bill for everyone else to have a good time. I’ve seen too many couples go into debt just trying to live up to expectations. I reminded Zaddy that there are other options—like a simple courthouse wedding followed by a small, meaningful celebration with close friends and family. It’s not about how much you spend; it’s about the love you share and the life you’re starting together.
Curious about how he viewed dating timelines, I asked Zaddy how long he thought people should be together before getting engaged. He said he believed most men know within the first six months if a woman is “the one.” As for the engagement itself, he felt that one to one-and-a-half years was the sweet spot—not too long, not too short. I couldn’t agree more. I’ve always believed that if a couple stays engaged too long, it often brings more stress and uncertainty than necessary. A year should be enough time to plan, prepare, and move forward with confidence.
One of the most important things we talked about was the prenuptial agreement—yes, the “prenup.” I made it clear that I don’t want either of my children entering into marriage without one. That’s not because I don’t believe in love—it’s because I believe in protecting yourself and being smart about your future. Zaddy understood where I was coming from and even said he’d do a prenup on his own, regardless of whether I brought it up. We also talked about how to approach this topic with a partner, since some people can take offense or see it as a sign of mistrust. But at the end of the day, it’s about clarity, transparency, and mutual respect.
Zaddy also shared how upfront he is when dating someone seriously. He always brings up the big questions early on—like where he wants to live (he’s set on Houston), and how he views gender roles in a relationship. I told him I was proud of him for that. Those conversations may seem uncomfortable at first, but they’re absolutely necessary if you want a healthy, lasting relationship. It’s better to find out sooner rather than later if you're on the same page or headed in completely different directions.
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Another modern-day issue we discussed was whether to share your married life online. Zaddy asked if I thought it was a good idea. I told him that family content on social media can actually be a great source of income if it’s done with authenticity. Big life events—like weddings, pregnancy announcements, and the arrival of a new baby—tend to generate a lot of views and engagement. But it also comes with its own set of challenges and boundaries, so it's important to strike the right balance between sharing and preserving your private life.
Toward the end of our conversation, we touched on the role age plays in dating. I reminded Zaddy, with a bit of teasing, that he’s about to turn 31—and as a mom, I couldn't help but say, “Time’s ticking!” Of course, he didn’t agree. He said he still feels young and confident that plenty of women 4–5 years younger are still very interested in him. I raised an eyebrow at that—but hey, confidence is key, right?
At the end of the day, this conversation wasn’t just about dating and marriage—it was about understanding what matters most in life: honesty, preparation, communication, and building relationships with intention. I may joke with Zaddy from time to time, but I want nothing more than for him to find someone who truly matches his values and brings him joy for the long haul.
