Please, not my Jello!

I would assume that establishing the relationship with your future in-laws is typically tricky business.    

             What should you call them?
             How do you act in their house?
             Does that change after the wedding?

I would also assume that throwing in the norms of another culture does NOT make it any easier.

            What does their culture say the daughter-in-law should call them?
            In their culture, do grandparents help raise the kids?
            Will they judge me if I don't always prepare for their son the typical cultural food?

Peru has been my new home for the past two months. I've gone to Roman's house countless times since I've been here. His mom has already given me a key to their house and is constantly telling me to come over any time and walk right in! I feel like our relationship as future mother/daughter-in-law was moving right along...until the jello incident.

We were sitting at the dinner table: Román, his mom and dad, his sister Amelia, and me. Román's dad was asking me about the US presidential candidates (of which I know very little) when suddenly Hermana Carmen (Román's mom) interrupts. "Hermana," she addresses me, "Quiero pedirte perdon." --Sister (the typical term used when talking to another Christ follower), I want to ask your forgiveness. --

I'm sure a peculiar look of surprise combined with nervousness came across my face as I sneaked a glance at Román who looked utterly confused. What could she possibly need to ask my forgiveness for?! She confessed, "I ate your jello that you had left in the fridge last night!" An enormous silence filled the room for two seconds before it boomed with laughter. Román, Amelia, and their father were in stitches. I, on the other hand, was trying to control myself due to her serious countenance as she spoke. I tried...but to no avail. I couldn't help it! She seemed so sincere in her apology. I never expected it to be about Jello :) I quickly tried to explain through my giggles that I would not get upset over her eating my jello and that she should feel free to do so at any moment.

I still don't have all the answers to how relationships typically play out between in-laws. I do, however, know that it's ok to eat the jello.