I remember at 32

I remember at 32 spending time with my in-laws and really feeling like I belong.

Everyone’s heard stories of awful, monster in-laws. Mine aren’t. I’ve actually felt welcomed by them since the first time I met them. I met some of them on our first date and then again at a family reunion later that summer. Of course that meeting was rather memorable since I did teach them some belly dancing. They’ve frequently said they thought clear since those first meetings that Brett needed to marry me. It just took Brett and I a while to work out our own timing.

When I was 32 we got together in the same place twice, Thanksgiving and then the now annual “Estrogen Retreat.” After both of those, especially the latter, I definitely felt like I’m part of the group. I’m not an outsider. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’m one of them. We’ve gone shopping. We’ve gotten pedicures. We’ve done more belly dancing. They are dear friends and I feel really blessed that Brett comes from such a wonderful family. I did marry Brett, but he comes with family. And he comes with a great one.