Rolling out the Thanksgiving welcome mat

DEAR READERS: A few weeks ago, "Agonized Aunt" wrote to me, expressing annoyance that her nieces wanted to invite boyfriends to the family's Thanksgiving dinner.

My inbox was flooded with responses from readers who took issue with this aunt's assertion that Thanksgiving is only for family.

Let's celebrate this day of gratitude together by sharing some stories:

DEAR AMY: I grew up a Navy

"brat," and my father often brought over recruits who were far from home for a home-cooked meal. I have always welcomed adult "orphans" to share the meal and family time. We have 30-plus for Thanksgiving and welcome all additional boyfriends, girlfriends -- even other in-laws. It is a time of fun and total chaos. If you are in the area, you are invited, too!Happy Thanksgiving

DEAR AMY: This aunt may discover that instead of having grumpy nieces at the table, she may wind up with no nieces at all. The boyfriends' families may invite them to share their holiday and welcome them instead. I hope they do.Baltimore Sun reader

DEAR AMY: Thankfully, we always seem to have room to squeeze in just one more at our Thanksgiving table. There's a bonus, too. Sometimes family conversation is the same -- year after year. A guest changes the conversation and you find out things about family members that you have never heard before.Auntie With Another View

DEAR AMY: I was one of those boyfriends years ago who was welcomed to the table. I often sat next to the daughter's random friend or co-worker who didn't have anywhere else to be that night. Sharing one's table with others, not just with family, is what Thanksgiving is all about. My advice to the boyfriends is to help with the dishes!Husband at the Table