allaboutmusic

Keep in mind I said taking over, not replacing... perhaps I should clarify that I only mean as far as being responsible of taking care of the partner, and you're right - it does work both ways (which I think has quite a beautiful symmetry).

I think it would be great for my bride to ask my mother. It might be considered unusual, but symbolically she IS taking over the role that mothers have of caring for their sons. I think throughout the courtship, a mother is generally more interested in whether the girl is right for her son, and a father is generally more interested in whether the guy is right for his daughter. True?

(this is NOT at all to say that fathers don't take care of their sons, or mothers their daughters)