Navigating the In-Laws (Or how much wood could a Monkey Chop?)
Most people will tell you horrific in-law stories. Either values don’t line up or personalities conflict in major ways, but it seems everyone has at least one in-law they can point to as a reason in itself not to get married. But I’ve gotten extremely lucky when it comes to my future in-laws. The Monkey’s parents are wonderful people and have already taken me in like another child in their family. We’re past that "must impress the new person" phase as well, so I’ve really started to get to know them for the people that they are, and while I’m sure there’ll be the typical family spats in our future, I’ve got high hopes that we’ll be one big happy family from day one.
I’d thought The Monkey would have a similar experience with my family. And, while for the most part he has, this past Thanksgiving’s trip to meet my ENTIRE extended family proved to be a test of his strength. Literally.
There is a long-running joke in my family concerning a male suitor of mine and chopping fire wood. It dates back to junior high, when I had a crush on a boy who helped my father split up some wood in our back yard, and has hung around as a humorous anecdote. My father has joked that before I get married, my fiancé will have to split firewood to prove he’s worthy. Enter our trip to visit the family, and my grandfather’s back yard full of trees they’d just had cut down.
The jokes immediately began flying through the phone and e-mail, and The Monkey geared up for what was sure to be a test of his strength and worthiness. In reality, everyone went outside early Friday morning and, with the help of a power log-splitter, chopped up the three trees that had already been cut down. We did get a few pictures of The Monkey ceremonially chopping a few logs, which he did wonderfully and in the full spirit of the day.
I’m just thankful I didn’t have to pass a similar test to be considered part of HIS family!
When not guest posting for Marital Talk (http://www.maritaltalk.com/three-months-to-go/) Robyn writes at her blog Craft and Found (http://www.craftandfound.com).
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