My freshman year in college, I was dating the love of my life (at the moment) who was at the University of Miami. He was Cuban, romantic, hot and made me totally weak in the knees when he whispered spanish sweet nothings into my ear...

As a side note, I had dated his best friend/cousin for 2 1/2 years previously. He was a dog that tried hitting on all my friends at prom. I called his best friend crying and the romance evolved from there. All summer long we exchanged letters and late-night calls.

I went to Mobile for college. We were determined to find a way to spend some time together and explore in person our feelings. Fall break was approaching... Decided I would fly down to Miami and spend the long weekend with him. Saved my money. Told my mom I was going to the beach with friends for the long weekend...

Flew down. Our first night there, we had dinner in my hotel. Holding hands, gushing, all that sort of stuff. All of a sudden he says "Hon, there's a woman that has been staring at you for a while - she's coming up to us."

"What are you doing here!?!?" my MOTHER says. (Did I mention my mother travels to Miami regularly on business?) "Where are you staying?" Why didn't you tell me you were coming here? You are staying with me."

Shit. What a way to kill a romantic weekend eh?

So I am promptly moved into my mothers suite at the hotel. She's not exactly going to condone an all-night passion-fest with this guy. (She knows him from my former bf)

And, she lays on me a 'curfew' while there in Miami. Now, being a good Cuban boy, he respects my mother. And she tells him that I "am the most important thing in her life and (he) would face the consequences of his actions".

Talk about a mood killer...

Regardless, we made the most of the time my mother was away from the suite. ;)

The next evening was a big one. I was invited to his parent's home for a family dinner - which, as the girlfriend, was a BIG deal. I was young, but we had talked of marriage when I graduated - and he had shared this with his family so this was going to be an interview of mammoth proportions...