Many years ago...Mom (far right), her parents, and all nine siblings
The miraculous thing is, even though we span the globe physically, we are pretty close. I am not going to lie, social media has a lot to do with my generation relating to each other. My mom and her siblings seem to talk either on the phone or via email on a daily basis. I have been thinking a lot about family as we prepare to head to Denver next week to celebrate my cousin Heidi's wedding to Tim.
Here is Heidi and Tim in their BRAND new house
Heidi is one of my closest cousins. Heidi, Brenna, and I are closest in age to each other and grew up as three compadres at all of the family gatherings. Whether it was playing with our American Girl dolls, making up games or writing letters (pen pal style), we had some pretty great times.
A little over three years ago, I got married. Heidi and Brenna kept saying, "I can't BELIEVE you are getting married?!?" It just didn't seem possible that little Mali could be married to this seemingly random and very hairy man named Sean. I had known Sean very well, so I didn't quite understand their confusion. Now our roles are reversed and I feel the same amazement over "Little Heidi" tying the knot.
Heidi, Sam, Brenna and I on our grandparent's steps (a common play spot)
I love Tim. He is the kind of guy that everyone feels as if they have known for years after one shared beer. Heidi and Tim make a perfect couple and I couldn't have picked her a more perfect mate, but I still see this little girl who loves her Samantha doll and dances in the high school show choir. How could she be getting married?!?!
Heidi, Brenna and I at a Thanksgiving dinner in Brookfield. (I obviously love food)
As I try on clothes (double-checking to make sure my newly-flabbly-post-baby body still fits my clothes that I used to take a perfect-for-me fit for granted) and I pack James' perfectly planned outfits, I have thought about the family I will see this week. Family has always been so important to me. The importance however, had always lain in my immediate family... until I got pregnant with Jay.
Being shy kept me from feeling comfortable reaching out to extended family. I assumed aunts, uncles and cousins didn't particularly care about me. Not in a bad way, but I didn't want to assume anybody wanted to spend time with me, as everyone had SO MUCH family of their own. Everything changed when I was first admitted to the hospital with my pregnancy at 20 weeks. Prayers were sent, gifts of magazines, cookies and company were brought swiftly to me, and continued. Calls, visits, thoughts and prayers kept coming for five months! The care and love I continued to receive let me open up and feel more confident and comfortable in this wonderful and loving family. I can't wait to share with my family the little boy that caused this shift in our relationship. He has met a lot of family already, but now he is older and so very interactive.
He loves life oh so much. Just like a Green.
Anyways, I wish so much happiness for Heidi and Tim. I can't wait to celebrate with you two, and see everyone else! Good luck to the Langs...the Greens know how to party (and talk)..(and eat)
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