"Two conditions," I say, holding up two fingers for emphasis. "First, I want to talk to Kristina alone to get assurances that she's not doing this out of peer pressure."

"Deal, what's the other one," Lauren says, excited that I've agreed and apparently willing to agree to anything.

"No pressure!" I say a little more forcefully than I meant to. "Kristina can back out anytime, before or during, without a hint of persuasion, disappointment or pressure from any of you." Lauren smiles as we pull into our parent's driveway.

"I knew she picked the right guy for this," she says, leaning over to kiss my cheek. "Thank you! We agree...