I have been with my boyfriend for six years. My parents don't like him from what they knew about him six years ago and don't know we have been together for this long. I do not live at home so have hid it well from them. Their reasons for not liking him were mostly that my job has better status than him, and he has fewer degrees than me (he does have a college degree though). They also wrote him off at the time as someone with no future potential.

He doesn't have more degrees now, but he is incredibly motivated and earns a very good living, more money than me currently. Anyway, I don't really know what to do because we will eventually be moving to the same city - we would like to get married at some point, but he is still waiting for the ok to meet my parents, and I am scared shitless about telling them that I've lied to their face all these years about my relationship status. This issue is the main one that puts some strain on our relationship, but he recognizes that we are a crazy good match for each other, so has been able to accept me for my faults (my family).

How can I tell my folks? I feel like a teenager but I'm 35 years old. Sad, but true... I keep thinking I'll grow a pair of balls and just do this, but it never seems to be 'the right time.' Any suggestions?