Te Amo Mi Suegra

Roughly translated with my broken Spanglish: I love my mother (and father)-in-law. My in-laws speak Spanish and we often joke about the spanish translation of mother-in-law. As I understand it "la suegra" also means "the part no one wants." My husband and his family is always joking about the crust of the bread being the "suegra." It just so happens the crust is my very very very favorite part. If it were up to me, there would be a whole bag of crust rather than just two pieces. It is fitting that I have been blessed with a mother and father in-law who I absolutely adore.

(The top picture is of me so excited to see Laura right after the wedding - I love the emotion this picture captures)

I just had a wonderful opportunity to spend some time with them the last few days. They were in the UK for a business meeting (they do interpersonal skills workshops and facilitator training for missionaries on the field around the world - it is SUCH an incredible ministry - God is really using them in big ways). It was unfortunate that their trip fell over a time period where Philip was gone (he is on a temporary duty assignment in New Jersey) but the three of us had a great time. They stayed with me on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

It was such a blessing simply to be able to connect, catch up and share with them. They actually were here working when Philip and I first arrived in the UK (Laura and I flew out of CO the same day! It was funny.) This was their first time seeing the inside of the house. I was in my element getting to be the hostess.

On Friday I took them to one of my favorite places: Emily's Tea Room (pictured center). We were able to go for some great walks on the trails by the river close to the house. Last night after I got back from class we enjoyed a terrific dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant in Mildenhall.

Being a very sensitive person I always knew it would be critical for me to be in a relationship with an individual who's family loved and accepted me. When you marry an individual you are not only gaining a spouse, you are marrying a family. Not only will the parents of your spouse be a part of important occasions and significant hallmarks for the rest of your life, the relationship they modeled to your and had with your spouse will deeply impact your marriage on a daily basis. I couldn't have asked for two better individuals to have raised and prepared Philip to be my husband and lead our household. The love they have for each other and dedication to the Lord positively impacts my life every single day, and for this I wil be eternally grateful. I am reaping the benefits from years of their faithfulness.

I often have to laugh when I watch Everybody Loves Raymond. The character of Marie makes my stomach physically churn. Laura is pretty much the opposite of Marie. I suppose it helps that I've known her my whole life and she's good friends with my mom, but she's seriously so cool. I don't know too many girls who can go into their mother-in-law's closet to borrow cute clothes. She and I are definately two of a kind. Philip definately married someone very similar to his mother. I feel honored to share so many traits with a woman who I look up to and respect so much.

Paul & Laura had a great story when they got back from the Pub on Friday evening. I wish I could paint a picture with words of what a pub experience in the UK is like. It's definately nothing like a bar. Anyway, Paul & Laura walk in. It was pretty clear that they weren't locals. Apparently there were a few guys sitting at the bar having their "pints." It was completely quiet, and Paul asks the bartender if he has a cabernet or merlot that he could order for Laura (she's like me - not a beer drinker, not fond of kissing a husband with beer on his breath). The bartender (and everyone else in the pub) looks at Paul and says, "Sir, this is a pub. We have red or white." It sounded like it was straight out of a movie.

I was sad to see them leave this morning. Hopefully next time they will be here their son won't be in another country.