Like most new girlfriends I was ridiculously nervous to meet my husbands parents when we first started seeing each other.
I think it took us a couple of years of dating before I actually did, and the initial meeting was brief and informal. It was more like me waving to Matt's mom from the car while she stood on the porch after he stopped by to borrow something from their house. I don't even remember the first time I met his dad.
When you marry someone, no matter how crazy or screwed up their family is, you're stuck with them for the rest of your life (or at least as long as you're married to that person for). It's pretty much a gamble, a crap shoot, with what you're going to get as far as in laws go.
I mean, you assume since your spouse is so awesome and accepting that the people who raised them have got to be equally as cool but that definitely isn't always the case.
I can say without any ass kissing or sugar coating that my in laws are incredible people and I love them very much.
It took some time to get comfortable around them, sure. Once I realized they weren't judging me on my occupation, or cooking skills, or background, or education I loosened up. I realized quickly that they accepted me the way I was, flaws and all, just for making their son happy.
We all grew closer and closer from life events: Matt needing major surgery from a collapsed lung, us getting engaged, me getting pregnant
and then finally the birth
of their first grandchild.
It might seem strange or awkward to some people, but Matt and I live two blocks away from his parents. That's just the way it worked out when he bought the house we lived in before him and I ever met and I think it's absolutely perfect.
Since Matt's mom works from home, and his dad is a landlord who pretty much makes his own schedule I often walk down to their house in the middle of the day, just to say hi and spend some time over there. Natalie loves them so much and their house is a big playground to her. She gets spoiled with affection and sweets too, of course.
They are such good grandparents. So loving, so attentive, so patient, so kind. I couldn't have asked for a better family for her or myself.
They help Matt and I out when we need it most too. Financially they have more than chipped in for expenses like our wedding and home projects, but more importantly they have been an emotional backbone for us.
My mother in law has hugged me through tears, reassured me when I felt like a shitty mother. She's come over to my house when Natalie was sick because I had no clue what to do. She made my veil for our wedding, the bedding for the nursery. She is always there when I need advice and I feel like I can talk to her about anything.
My father in law, he adores Natalie more than I ever imagined possible and she has him wrapped around her tiny little finger. In the summer time, almost every single day he would call me and say, "What's Natalie doing?" meaning, is Natalie free to go on a bike ride? He would strap her to his chest in a baby carrier and take her around the neighborhood on his bicycle.
He's who Matt and I come to when we need something like a leaky pipe or car part fixed. He built our back deck, helped baby proof the house by bolting large furniture to the ground. He's the kind of guy who'll slip me a $20 dollar bill when I ask him if he'll babysit while I go get my hair cut, and then smile and say, "Have lunch on me!"
I can't say enough nice things about my in laws. Everything I mentioned in here is just the tip of the iceberg, you have no idea what a tremendous help they have been in our lives. Of course I would love them all the same without all the help. They truly are such kind people and I am so glad Natalie has them as grandparents. I am so glad I have them as in laws and Matt is so thankful to have them as parents.
We are beyond blessed.
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Natalie's first Christmas, three weeks old. |
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About two months old. We couldn't find scratch mittens so we used Redskins socks instead. |
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Bike ride, at six months. |
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Getting tickled, at ten months. |
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Second Christmas, at twelve months. |
17 Thoughts :
Wow lady, I am envious! My in laws could be worse..... but they aren't great by any means and we have never been close. Lucky you, so happy you have wonderful in laws!!
This post made me smile and I feel like I'm one of the lucky ones who ended up with awesome in-laws also. You just hear so many horror stories of people hating their in-laws and them causing so many issues. I feel like I have two moms and two dads now and text Derek's mom multiple times a day. What a nice post for them to read!
It really sounds like you hit the in law jackpot! Although, I have to say, I am a close second. My MIL does my grocery shopping for me. I know...I am so very lucky.
Looove that picture of her riding the bike with grandpa!
Also, I will never forget the first time I met my MIL. She cooked dinner for us at her house and it was about 125 degrees in her house. I was sweating and on the verge of passing out. She keeps her house SOHOT. We laugh about it now...and she turns the temp down when we come over. :)
That's awesome you have such great in-laws that you are close with. I'm also really close with my in-laws, they are awesome and I'm so lucky to have them in my life and as grandparents to my child.
It sounds like you have some great inlaws. That's awesome :)
It's so wonderful to have in-laws that you love. This is such a wonderful tribute to them.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
They sound so fabulous and living nearby doesn't sound odd it sounds wonderful. I love my in-laws so incredibly much as well and living 9+ hours away from them kill me. I would never move near them unfortunately (they live in the middle of nowhere Mississippi) and they love living in the country and have said they'll never move. :(
I'm glad you wrote this and focused this entry on your blessings! So many people write to vent about their in-laws and it's just refreshing to read this. I always love what you have to share.
I love that picture too - so so so adorbs!
Your in-laws sound like truly wonderful people. My in-laws are meh, ok...they are older, and my FIL has basically no interest in Chloe but he isn't in the best of health. My MIL did come stay with us last week to care for Chloe which was nice, but I don't feel like I've ever bonded that well with her. You all are very lucky to have one another in your lives. Nat with her grandpa on the bike is just too sweet!
You're right, it's not always like that, you're right to feel lucky and blessed. There is nothing that endears people more to you than when they truly love your kids. I love my dad but he was never very involved with us and not with the grandkids either. He would never think to take my kids to the park or for a bike ride. My mom however is the most wonderful grandma, kind of makes up for him :)
That's great. Sounds like you married into the right family! :)
(OMG - Natalie with a bike helmet on???!!!)
What a sweet relationship! I love this post...such a cute tribute! :)
Aww this is so incredibly sweet that I'm tearing up a little. It's so great that you and your daughter at that close to your in-laws. I think it's the cutest thing that her grandfather loves to take on bike rides.
They sound beyond amazing!! I want to live two blocks from them too. And that bike helmet??? Love.
Nice! I am blessed with a wonderful MIL as well. Unfortunately my FIL passed away awhile back.
My husband has the best in-laws. They are snowbirding down in Florida right now but the other day my husband saw the Dr. Phil trailer during the Today show - "My In Laws Tried to Kill Me". He immediately called his mother in law to make sure they were not at the taping.
This is so adorable! Feel relieved in how you met your in-laws! The day I met mine was the day I moved in with Hubby Dearest which was less than 24 hours after I flew half way across the world to be with him! In June we'll have been married for 4 years with two children and he has yet to meet my parents! His parents are Ah-Mazing with the boys (especially Oupa....Lil Mister is obsessed with his Oupa!) Grandparents are the best ;-)
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