Hi, Hey Its Jess: Your family sounds like it comes from a somewhat repressive cultural/religious background.  Or they are living in a completely different time zone to the rest of the western world.  ‘Conventional’ views of marriage? Blimey, different cultures and nations have different views of marriage and they all think they’re ‘conventional’ and ‘proper’ and everyone else is wrong, so where do you stop??? Your dreams sound terrific – animation illustration and an event planner business and there’s no reason why these two ambitions shouldn’t meet and mix on the right occasion.  So you go for it.  As for all this other business about ‘proper’ and ‘normal’ – well, ‘normal’ is a cycle on your washing machine.  And that’s the only normal there is. No reason why a guy shouldn’t fit in if he wants to work with you and has the same interests. Anita’s on track when she writes of the part of you that is hurt and angry and which wants  attention and respect.  You aren’t going to get respect and approval for your family at this point so just make your mind up to it and stop looking for it.  So give it to yourself.  24/7, approve of yourself, your dreams, your ambitions, your behaviour.  If a part of pipes up and says ‘You shouldn’t have got angry and said that,’ you tell it, ‘I could’ve reacted differently and next time I will.’ then replay the scene with a different reaction so you WILL do it differently next time.  It takes some effort, but it can be done.  Always use the word ‘could’ – ‘should’ is a spiritual swear word. Good luck.