Dress it up or dress it down

Family Christmas has been unique this year. My 18-year-old sister has taken a lover, and the family has subsequently been divided between Marx supporters and suppressors, much like the U.S.S.R. in the 50's--including the suppression of free speech (but with more access to groceries.)

Marx is his nickname for the purposes of this blog, as apparently my sister doesn't want her situation broadcast over the internet. I would have ignored this request in the search for truth, but she's the only person who consistently reads my blog, and so I pander. Pander with a purpose.

Basically, my sister met Mr. Marx her college in Michigan, adhering to the age-old truth that all people fall in love once during freshman year. Of course, not all people have to constantly text and message and skype with said love during holiday family time.

The long and short of it is that she has ruined Christmas. Well, not really, but that's what we tell her -- it's a beautifully pointed insult. Basically, my father has flipped a lid at the idea of his little girl meeting a man, and the rest of us have been forced to talk about everything in hushed tones lest he hear and go into a rampage about how he can't trust anyone.

One of my brothers is here (the other is in Morocco), and he jumps between siding with my father in his belligerence, and being mildly curious. Mostly he tries to exploit the situation for his entertainment, which, all things considered, is really quite reasonable.

On the bright side, the whole situation has provided me with many memorable quotes to plaster on my blog. Plaster with no purpose. These include the following:

My brother to Mr. Marx: "Have you ever picked up your teeth with broken fingers?" (Best Skype conversation ever.)

mumsie: "My dad never treated you like this!"
father: "Your dad was just happy someone would take you!"

And so on.

So what say you? Does my sister deserve her chance at young love with her floppy haired swimmer/musician/looks like Jim from The Office bloke?