Mother of the Groom

Having two boys who are nearing the age when I can begin to contemplate that they may marry someday, and having just attended my nephew's wedding, I've been thinking of what it means to be the mother of the groom. The mother of the groom has very limited involvement in the wedding, that seems pretty clear. I think the groom's family is officially responsible for the rehearsal dinner and that's about it. She has little say in the other aspects of the event, or little involvement in the planning.

But, what does it really mean to be the mother of the groom? The one who is welcoming another woman into her home and life? While it is the father, and more often now the mother, too, of the bride who "gives her away" to the groom, what is the mother of the groom giving away? Is it seen that she is only gaining a daughter, not losing a son? Is the mother of the groom like being the father of the bride? What about the mother of the bride, or the father of the groom? Do those relationships change with marriage? It seems like the same sex relationships are easier to maintain after marriage, the lines of communication are clearer and the roles are simpler--father of the groom can still go fishing and watch sports on TV at holidays, mother of the bride can still go shopping and be there for advice and comfort. But us opposite sex parents seem to lose a little more, to have our roles changed more. It will be interesting to see. Check back in 10 years or so and see what I think then!