World's Best Mother-in-Law

I'll admit it. My first meeting with my Mother-in-law was one that terrified the heck out of me. She wasn't meeting me under the best of circumstances. If I had been in her shoes, I don't know if I'd have been nearly the woman she was to me. It was a camping trip, so I figured the worst case would mean we stayed in the river and didn't come into the camp site until lights out; but I never even thought of that strategy again after our welcomed arrival.

Both my Mother and Father-in-law were welcoming. Regardless of the situation that brought Jerod and I together, they didn't let it interfere with how they treated me. If they had troubled over us, they sure let me have the benefit of doubt and didn't let the doubt show. By the end of the trip, I remember her hugging me and saying "After seeing Jerod as happy he is, I'm happy too". Her kind words slithered into my soul allowing relief within me.

After seeing this emailing, (click this text to link) I'm dually lucky in that I married Jerod and thus have his parents instead of what this woman is about to embark upon.


I don't find this "mom-zilla" too bad either. Most of the things she mentioned are simple manners. Although the times are different, the behavior should have been passed on and displayed on some level. I may not totally agree with the "wake when the house does" as I never want my guests to feel that way. Yet, I understand the courtesy and was taught it just as I quoted it. Vacation or free time is too precious to waste and others should not have to wait on me for their day to start, but sleep is precious too and I'll grant it to anyone whose body tells them they need it.

In any case, I didn't have to fret about my mom-in-law at my wedding. She was the one carrying an assorted tray of drinks into the dressing room housing only my maid of honor and me. She might have wanted to make sure I wasn't going to say no after all the turmoil Jerod and I had created in the families, but I think it's simply that she recognized her son and I for who we are. She was willing to let us play our lives our way. It could also be that she recognized we all have a way of messing up life before we figure out how to do it right; knowing her now she hadn't let hope run off without beckoning it back for us.

Even if Jerod turned out to be a complete jerk of a husband, I might have married him just to have his parents. Instead, I'm just blessed with awesome family all around me.

Oh, and my MIL...she cooks with wine too! Utensil in one hand, wine glass in the other; how could I ever go wrong in that?