When we got married, I'll never forget talking to the DJ about our parents. He asked us how many parents there were between us, and I said four. Four? Yes, my mom and dad, and Kevin's mom and dad. He couldn't believe it. No step parents, no divorces, no "I can't be on the same side of the room if he/she is there." The DJ actually admitted that he couldn't think of a wedding in his recent memory that had only four parents involved. He said, "Well that makes things a lot easier!"
Flash forward nearly four years and yes, we still have four parents between the two of us. And they're good parents too. Everyone I talk to has a problem with their parents or in-laws or both, making my four parents stand out as remarkable people. For example, here's a list of complaints other people have about their parents/in-laws. Our parents have never:
-Nagged us about having children
-Made comments about my weight
-Complained that we don't see them enough
-Called daily
-Stated implicitly or explicitly that I wasn't "good enough" for their son
-Compared us unfavorably to our siblings
-Made "helpful" suggestions on how to better live our lives
-Asked us for money
-Tried to guilt us into anything
-other things that aren't coming to mind
On the other hand, our parents have been generous enough to do things like care for one (or both) of our dogs while we vacation elsewhere. Although this is the trial run with Kevin's parents having both Scout and Digory in addition to The White Menace Harry, their small, white dog. We'll see how the 3 of them all get along.
Anyway, I just wanted to say a big cheer to our four parents for being the best parents and in-laws ever!
Posted by Shelby at July 12, 2005 11:30 AMWow what a nice compliment.
Thanks! Love, Mom
This is unusual these days. I am one of those statistics where my parents are divorced and my father has remarried bringing a step-mother, step-siblings into the fold. Also, my daughter is now part of that statistic as her father and I are divorced.
The worst part about this situation, aside from the obvious dysfunction that created this situation is HOLIDAYS. When your folks are not together, you have to celebrate everything twice; and that's not including the in-laws side.
As far as your list of "nevers," my parents have violated just about all of those.
Shelby and Kevin, you're very lucky.
Posted by: Katrina at July 12, 2005 08:00 PMDear Shelby, how beautiful is it to have so great parents and parents in low... I think, that your Parents are also happy to have such a wonderful doughter with great feelings, heart, anderstanding and love to the world.
Ira
Wow - you guys are lucky!
Rich and I have three parents between us (he's never known his dad) but they make enough trouble for twice that and then some.
We've:
*been nagged about weight
*been nagged/put down about housekeeping skills
*been nagged about having children
*been the subject of an attempted marriage-sabotage (trying to break us up)
*had them mess with our credit rating by putting us on their debt
*had money stolen by them
*been gossiped about incessantly
*been nagged about our jobs/business
There's more but I don't want to clutter up your comments page too much. Suffice to say, I wish I had parents/in-laws like yours!
Posted by: Katie at July 17, 2005 09:39 PM