Like most Ethiopian families, my siblings have a tradition of bringing their spouses and kids home for the holidays. They are so accepting and loving, and it warms my heart. But here’s the thing: I’ve never actually brought anyone home for the holidays. Not even when I was in a serious, long-term relationship. We always ended up spending the holidays separately, meeting up later on.

Now, don’t get me wrong. My family has always been incredibly supportive of me as their queer sibling. They’ve created this safe space where I feel loved and accepted. But for some reason, I never really thought about introducing my significant other to them during the holidays. It’s strange, I know. Maybe it’s because of some deep-rooted internalized homophobia that I haven’t fully confronted yet. Or maybe I just didn’t think it was a big deal because my partner and I don’t have children, or because we’re not officially “married” like a heterosexual couple.

But recently, my partner gently nudged me to consider bringing her home for the holidays. She made me realize how important it is for us to be included in each other’s families. And you know what? I decided to take that leap of faith. So, armed with a delicious cake, we went to her mom’s house, and she brought along a special homemade drink for my mom. This more or less ensured that my mom would fall in love with her.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, my partner arrived a bit later than expected. When she finally walked through the door, I felt a mix of nervousness and hope. My sister, my mom, and my cousin were all present. It wasn’t the entire family gathering, but it was still a significant step forward.

To my surprise and joy, my sister, my mom, and my cousin welcomed her with open arms, just like they did with all the other partners and spouses. We laughed together, shared stories, and created new memories. It was a beautiful experience, and I couldn’t help but feel hopeful for the future. The fact that my partner came at all, despite the delay and the uncertainty, showed me the depth of her commitment and our shared desire to be a part of each other’s families.

Her presence reminded me that progress is possible, even in the face of societal expectations and cultural norms. It gave me hope that one day, we will be able to fully integrate our lives and share our love openly with all of our family members. And for that, I am grateful.

Because as an Ethiopian queer person, the idea of bringing my partner to a family gathering can be daunting. There are religious, cultural and societal factors that can make it more challenging. This was the case with my mom, and that’s why I didn’t explicitly introduce my partner as my partner to her.

However, despite these complexities, I am incredibly grateful and proud of my family for their ability to create space for us as a couple. They recognized the significance of our relationship, even if it wasn’t explicitly acknowledged in every conversation. Their acceptance and support meant the world to us, and it’s a testament to their love and open hearts.

In a world where acceptance can be hard to come by, where identities and relationships that fall outside the norm are often marginalized, having a family that embraces us is a tremendous blessing. It’s a reminder that love knows no boundaries, and that our identities and the people we love deserve celebration and acceptance.

So, as I reflect on this special Easter gathering, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of appreciation and love for my family. They showed me that even in a society where certain aspects of our identities might not be fully understood, there is still so much room for compassion, acceptance, and growth. And for that, I will be forever grateful.