Sorry all you Floridians I couldn't get enough of the palm trees.
Let me start by saying this has always been my second family. Even before Brett and I started dating this was my second family. They moved in next door when I was in 6th grade and I have loved them every since. So, it is not your typical in-law family. To even type the word in-laws seems strange. They are my family.
For me it was a great relaxing few days. I love this family, love being a part of it, and love being included as one of them. This trip was a Christmas gift for Mom. Brett's family used to live in Miami years ago. They decided to travel back and see if they could find the places they used to live, go to school and work. A virtual trip down memory lane. We think some of those places were found, but a lot of things change in 40 years. They found the street they used to live on. It was fun driving down this street and listening to memories of my husband and his siblings as children. The grumpy neighbor next door, the neighbors dog. Neighborhood kids. I don't know if they ever really settled on which house was theirs, but we do have a picture of a house. It was fun to hear, that could be it, maybe that one. Like I said a lot of things change over 40 years.
We never were able to locate the bakery Dalyne used to work at petty sure it no longer exists. They were able to locate the old Mutual of Omaha building in downtown Miami. It is now the CVS home office. The apartment building across from it, they used to live in, was no longer there but they were able to locate the area.
For me a fun part of the trip was to just sit back and watch this family. Brett, his Mom, his older brother, his younger sister, and his younger brother. The fact that they were all able to take this trip together was a great blessing. We are all over the age of 50 now, some families wouldn't have that opportunity. It was fun to listen to different versions of a story, to see their different personalities, to see their role in the family. To learn about family members no one ever heard of , dear cousin Harry. Sometimes when you travel with your own family it can stressful. For me even though I feel like part of the family, technically AMI(ain't my family). So, I didn't have to worry about making decisions, or worrying about my role, or being stressed in general. I LOVED IT.
This family all love the Lord, they love each other dearly, get along great and genuinely enjoy each others company. I laughed till my sides hurt and my eyes watered. I love my Mother-in-laws laugh. It is contagious. So, thanks Sapp's for taking me along, and thank You God for making this family apart of your plan for my life.
I think this verse sums up this family.
Ephesians 5:21 - "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
