A tribute to my in-laws

This was a hard long weekend. I helped my in-laws pack up their house for selling. I don't think they know what their home has meant to me. Before this makes sense you need to understand a couple of things. One, I'm a romantic and a dreamer. My head never turns off. Two, I was raised in a 12 x 68 house trailer. My Mom and Dad gave us a wonderful childhood and going home to this day means a trip to their house in Iowa even though they bought a new, larger house my freshman year in college. And honestly I don't ever remember wishing for my own room (just as my sisters shared a tiny bedroom so did my brother and I). But growing up in those small quarters as a child left me dreaming of a home that I would own someday where my siblings and their families could come together for Christmas (my favorite holiday). In 1996, my partner J walked into my life and I quickly found that his parents were much like my parents and made Christmas a big deal. It was a time of family and traditions. And they had the house to match! Lots of room to spread out for the whole family, a fireplace and his Mom and Dad always had everything magically decorated. Even at times other than Christmas over the last 17 years this has become my home away from home. As I reflect on it I think the house has become a symbol for the role J’s family has played in my life. They are very different than my family but equally wonderful. I look to how they live their lives often for guidance. So while it was a sad day today driving away from their house I'm very excited for them as they embark on a new journey, one they've dreamt of for many years. And selfishly, I hope it means that it means we will be spending more time together.