What Are In-Laws?

When I married my husband almost 12 years ago I became a part of a family that would change my life.  I gained two parents and two brothers that day.  And since then,  I have gained 2 sisters and a niece and a nephew that I am honored to have as my godchildren.  And recently, I have gained another niece!  I am proud to call myself a part of their family.

I cringe when I hear people speak badly about their in-laws.  I can't imagine having a bad relationship with the people who raised my husband.  That would be a nightmare.  My in laws are the easiest people to love so it really couldn't be any other way.   I am lucky to have them in my life.  And I don't introduce them as my in-laws because to me that word is stupid.  No, I wasn't born into thier family.  But, you would never know it.  I am just as loved and as important as anyone who was.

As I pursue my dreams they are there to encourage me.  When I fall (and believe me, I do) they scrape me off the pavement and dust me off.  They don't shake their heads or tell me it was a stupid idea.  They help me fix it.  Their support and love are unconditional and never ending.

My family is my life.  I spend more time with them than anyone else.  Not because I have to, but because I like to.  I can't picture my life any other way.  I believe that God brings the right people into our life.  He definitely did this with me.  And I thank him for my family each and every day.