You all know how much I love Nicole and I really do feel like she’s the daughter I never had. I’m so lucky because I can talk to her without having to worry about her wearing her feelings on her sleeve or looking for a reason to run to Chad and saying “Your mom was mean to me!” If I know Chad, he would say “She’s ALWAYS mean to me!” Of course, I’m never mean to either of them or say hurtful things but I talk to Nicole just the way I talk to Chad. When they both had Covid, I said “If you need me to do anything, let me know.” She said “You can bring us meals.” Knowing she had friends and family within 5 minutes, I said “No! This is the reason I’ve begged y’all to have food in the freezer that all you need to do is heat and eat.” I wasn’t going to drive an hour there and an hour back to take food when I knew they had things they could eat and people who could (and did) bring them food.
I also told her that when she was better, she and I would get together online, plan some good freezer meals, she could get all the supplies, I’d come to her house and we’d make them and put them in the freezer so she could see how easy it was.
Truly, if they had been hungry and had no way to get food, I would have been there in a heartbeat but I knew that wasn’t the case and I’ve always believed in tough love. Sometimes the rough spots are where we learn the most.
Anyway . . this morning I woke to this note from Nicole:
Made me think of y’all this morning. Thank you so much for loving me just like I was family before Chad and I got married. I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws. Love you guys!
She attached a link to a Facebook article someone who had written that said something like “If you have loving inlaws, be thankful. Some of the comments made me cry. Lots of people have great inlaws; some not so great. That must be hard, especially with grandkids around.
The funny thing with Nicole – the first time Chad brought her to the house, she was a bit quiet and shy. I was trying to make conversation and I said “Do you sew?” She looked at me like I had just asked her if something obscene. She said “Why would I?” I thought . . this one may not be a keeper . . but she definitely is the best daughter-in-law for our family.
Sara Fridley says
I feel blessed with the 2 sons-in-law that I have as well. It’s wonderful when our kids have such good spouses.
vivoaks says
I had great in-laws when we first got married. They’re gone now, but they were wonderful, and I’ll remember them always. I have a daughter-in-law and a son-in-law. The daughter-in-law works full time and is married to my oldest, so they’re well established and I don’t see them that often. My son-in-law thinks nothing of calling me to ask if I can come help my daughter with the new baby while he’s at work, and is quick to thank me and compliment me when I do things for them. He’s very OCD, but isn’t as bad as he used to be. When you have a 5-year-old, you can’t be too picky about things being in disarray on occasion. I wouldn’t ask for a better one – I’m afraid I’d end up with one a LOT worse! 🙂 🙂