Saturday, March 28, 2009

Thanks Ma.


When Dashing Boy and I were newlyweds and living in our first apartment together, my mom was quick to let us know that she would never show up at our house unannounced.

"Mom," I said. "Of course you are welcome to our house anytime." I wasn't the least bit worried about that.

There is this scripture in the bible: Genesis 2:24
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
I had heard this scripture many times prior to getting married- and had many discussions about the importance of following this teaching.

Mom wanted to make sure that Dashing Boy and I were starting our life out together on as solid ground as possible. She said she never wanted Dashing Boy (or me) to feel like she was a meddling mother-in-law.

And because I have a wonderful mother, and come from a loving, supportive, involved family, I translated her message into: Please invite me over! I would love it and will totally respect your family! Yes, this is the correct translation.

We lived quite a drive away at that point and then, not too much later, we moved even farther away, to a place where we knew no. one.

And I would have done anything for my mom to show up at my house unannounced.

Just Dashing Boy and I. Eating Sunday dinners with each other and frequently with wonderfully welcoming, gracious families from church. Going out for mid-week movies, and making dinner together every night with few other obligations. Quickly resolving arguments (which often felt so dramatic the first year and a half or so) because what else could we do? We lived in a one bedroom apartment and had no one we could go and commiserate with for a couple of hours.

And soon, even though our families were far away, we became one. Dashing Boy and I: a family.

And then after all that beautiful time together, a feeling it was time to fly back to the motherland.

Bounty of family.

Now I can go shopping with my sister. And have parties with family and friends each week. And meet my mother-in-law for lunch.

And secretly,

best of all mom can stop by as closely to unannounced as possible without being "un," because I'm closer.

Such was the occasion on Friday. And after a busy week, mom greeted me home with a cake emblazoned with the message: "You will always be a winner."

Which is exactly what I think of you, mom. love Jenny

6 comments:

*Amy Leigh* said...

Oh, this made me shed a tear...or exactly 25. It could be the pregnancy hormones, but it could also be the fact that I too live closely to my family and think my mom is an absolute winner as well. We are very lucky to have such great families!!

Mrs. Olsen said...

I think moving far away from both families is ESSENTIAL for newly married couples. Thanks for your insight, and I'm happy you get to have mommy love around the corner now.

Anonymous said...

Dashing Boy here. That's very sweet Jenny. We are very lucky to have such great family close by. You're both winners :)

MEvans said...

I've only met your family at your wedding, but I know that they are a big part of the winner that you are. I hope to have such an amazing relationship with my grown children someday.

Cristie said...

I agree with Dashing Boy, you are both winners, and so is he! I'm glad you are close by too!

Nicole said...

I love that lady! She is simply the best.