This last weekend a major milestone was crossed in my life as well as in the relationship that Mandy (Gamecock Mama) and myself have been developing and watching grow,with both wonder and amazement.
This weekend Mandy drove up to Georgia where my family (My Parents and My brother) had a cookout get together and Mandy came to meet the family. Mandy was nervous about it, as was I...just because you never can predict these things. I was confident my family would like her and accept her, but you know...there are always those little unpredictable dynamics that are completely out of your control that you worry about.
We had enough food to feed an army...hell we STILL have leftovers! Chicken, pork ribs and pork kabobs, grilled pineapple and corn, potato salad, baked beans, brats...damn...there was just a LOT of food. What can I say? My family is always more cooperative on a full belly!
My past choices and decisions, when it comes to women, has been, shall we say,less than satisfying for my family. I will refrain from saying anything more since they might one day find my blog...and it would really suck if they saw me writing what I think about them....as if they didn't know already! But due to my bad judgement in the past my family was...shall we say....cautious. And frankly I can't blame them...it was not a reflection on Mandy as much as it was a reflection on my past idiocy.
So the big day arrived and Mandy came over. My older two kids fell in love with Mandy immediately, with BJ going so far as to use the word "Awesome" which is pretty good! My brother, bless his snarly heart, was his usual smart ass self, which is exactly how we love him. He did call her Sweety, which I am pretty sure was a good thing! Dad tried to sell her on his new business...which is also a very positive sign (sorry about the 16 minute video Mandy baby doll!).
I was completely blown away by my mom. My mom is a selective person, and she is also the barometer of my family. Usually if mom approves everybody ends up falling in line. Mom was very impressed with her and made no bones about it which goes a long way. We joked, ate, talked, ate, sat and watched a movie....and ate...did I mention we had a lot of food?
Mandy left on Sunday...and it seemed like the weekend was way too short...I may have cried after she was gone...not that I would admit to it. But it left a big empty hole in me...a reminder to me again that this woman really means everything to me. Sunday morning she came over, mom and dad were gone to church, my brother had gone home and my kids were off doing their thing...and Mandy and I sat at the kitchen table and talked for a couple of hours over a cup of coffee...it was symbolic...a reminder to me that she really is everything I have been looking for...and I could not ask for more...
