Family

This was my second Thanksgiving with Adam's family. (We've been together for three, actually, but had been dating about 5 minutes the first year and as such, I politely declined 😳.)  We also spend Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday with his family, plus summer barbecue-worthy holidays at his brother's pool. They have welcomed me with open arms from day one. His mom and brothers were telling him to "hurry up and marry that girl" from the beginning. They interact extremely different than my family and are entirely different type of people, but I love them and they love me. Tonight when I left my brother-in-law's house, there was zero sense of awkwardness or obligation with the goodbye hugs (despite Adam's "go hug your ________" to which my MIL said - Stop saying that, she's not rude and we like hugging her, she's not like that other one. Lol). My niece, who like my nephew is a bit shy, came right up for a hug and without thinking, I gave her a kiss.

That's when I realized - this is my family.  I married into a wonderful group of people and by now, the "married into" part is a non-issue. It's Mom & Dad, brothers & sister, niece & nephew. They are my family.

And for this, I am thankful. 

Tis The Season

Thanksgiving: the expression of gratitude.

I'm one of the lucky ones. I have much to be thankful for. Born to an amazingly hardworking mother, I had everything material a kid could want. I was given the intelligence to understand people and the world at an age most kids don't. I learned the concepts of grace, humility, and friendship - or so I like to think! As an adult, a very tumultuous few years in my 20s managed to teach me incredibly valuable lessons while leaving me and my loved ones relatively unscathed. And then, after the most devastating blow, I met Adam. Adam persistently pursued me and was patient with me - I was what one might call emotionally unavailable. The ultimate cynic.
Now here I am, married! I was born to be married, to be someone's wife. I adore my husband and am thankful every day that HE picked ME. We are building a wonderful life together. He showers me with affection and puts up with my crabby moods and curious quirks. I'm appreciate for our past, I'm grateful our present, and I'm so looking forward to our future.

As an aside, I had a bit of trouble getting to this post and finishing it. Why? Well…

Stay tuned!