I walk up to the steps of the duplex I’ve walked up to many times before, but I hesitate. He is usually at the door to greet me but since I arrived early, he is still in the shower. 

“If I’m not ready when you arrive just come inside,” his text replays through my mind. But I am hesitant to open the door because even though it’s ok with him, what if his mother and brother inside think I’m rude for just barging in?

I’m fighting a battle with myself in my head of whether or not I should just come inside when suddenly the door opens before I make my choice. 

His older brother greets me and opens the door saying, “come in,” and I shyly smile and say “thank you,” as I step inside. 

“Sorry, he told me to just come in,” I said to his mother and older brother as he sat back down in the kitchen.

”No no…,” he starts, “it’s your home too.”

It’s your home too.

That phrase still rings through my mind even though it has been weeks since it had been said. I’ve always wanted to make a good impression on his family but could never really tell what they thought of me—Once I heard those words it had almost been as if my question was answered. 

Every visit, I see myself growing closer to his family. Although his mother and I have a language barrier, I still see the welcoming in her eyes as she smiles at me. I know enough of the language that I can answer questions or laugh at jokes, but I feel like that isn’t enough.

One of my biggest goals is to learn enough of the language to be able to be incorporated in family conversations. Once I accomplish this, I feel I can be much closer with all of this family and friends. Although his family will appreciate me either way, el madre de mi novio habría dicho, “mi casa es tu casa” y por eso razón es mi responsabilidad de aprender la lengua porque la lengua es un parte de la familia, y considerando yo estoy un parte de la familia, es mi lengua también.