New Member of the Family

Saturday night we attended the wedding of my step-son. He's been dating this girl for five years and been engaged for one of those years, so she is already like one of the family. The evening went smoothly and we enjoyed the opportunity to share the occasion with family and friends we don't get to see very often. There was good food and dancing and lots of visiting. But for a years worth of planning, the evening seemed short.
Now they are off on their honeymoon before they return to real life and the process of starting a home together. Like all young married people, they have lots of learning and growing to do, but they are good people and I think they will go far.

Then there are those of us dealing with new roles. I asked my husband how it felt to officially be a "father-in-law". He said it made him feel old. So I guess that makes me the "step-mother-in-law". I don't know how it makes me feel. I'm only the step-mom, and that relationship has often been a little shaky. But I want the best for them, I worry about them and I do love them like my own.

The defining moment for me came just before we left the reception. My step-son leaned over to thank me for the quilt and give me a hug. A few years ago, this never would have happened. In the end, whatever titles we have, we are parents and over the weekend we gained a new daughter.