When Bond Becomes Blood

This weekend was my mother-in-law’s birthday and while my husband and I were pondering what to do for her birthday, I couldn’t help thinking about just how lucky we both are. Let’s face it, true or false mothers-in-law often get a bad rap. They’re often accused of being too nosy, too possessive, too interfering and a host of other “too” unfavorable words. I’m sure in some cases these criticisms are well deserved but I’m happy to report in the words of rapper Jay-Z, “I’ve got 99 problems but…” my mother-in-law ain’t one.

Now at the very start both our families were very different. My family is loud talking, expressive, fun loving, and easily excitable. His, not so much, in fact they’re quite the opposite. But there is something to be said about that quiet, easy going, make it up as you go along kinda flow. Now when it comes to the easy-going part, my husband has perfected that skill. Sometimes I suspect my own family prefers his company more than they do mine and honestly, I totally get it. The guy is easy to please, never stirs the pot, knows how to hold his tongue, except with me of course, and takes everyone and everything at face value. All I’m going to say on that topic is, I’m not that and I probably will never be. Still, that doesn’t prevent me from getting along with my in-laws, and although they have come to know me as a “straight-talker” we get along very well. It is clear however, that nothing and no one could ever take the place of their one and only son, and luckily for me, I don’t need that kind of pressure so that too is perfectly fine with me.

Over the years, with trial and error and some compromise, we have managed to blend our personalities and our families in a way that works for all of us. I would like to think we make each other better and more interesting people who love and support each other. In that spirit, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s birthday with dinner on Friday and on Saturday my siblings and in-laws got together again for dinner since my sister is in town. After so many years of us all being together, I would like to think we’re more than just family by bond, were like blood.

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