Related by heart
This past month we celebrated a Quincinera and a graduation! It has been blended family fun galore!
In May, my stepdaughter turned 15, which in her Mom's native Peru, means a great big celebration - a Quincinera. We ate Peruvian food and danced the night away - although my hips complained the next morning that I "salsa-ed" way too much! I am always impressed by the warm welcome I receive from the Peruvian side of the family - hugs and kisses from aunts, uncles and grandparents who speak no English, but consider me family and treat me as such.
Ten days later, we were all in Las Vegas for my daughter's high school graduation! That meant dinner with kids, stepkids, in-laws, out-laws, parents, stepparents and nieces on my ex's side of the family, and I was again blown away by the love and acceptance shown by everyone. It was really fun gathering everyone for dinner with my parents, my current in-laws and my first mother-in-law all together! My daughter was thrilled to have so much family around to help her celebrate!
The only snag in all of this was trying to figure out how to answer my son's question, "Mom, how am I related to all these people?"
I suppose we're related by heart.
In May, my stepdaughter turned 15, which in her Mom's native Peru, means a great big celebration - a Quincinera. We ate Peruvian food and danced the night away - although my hips complained the next morning that I "salsa-ed" way too much! I am always impressed by the warm welcome I receive from the Peruvian side of the family - hugs and kisses from aunts, uncles and grandparents who speak no English, but consider me family and treat me as such.
Ten days later, we were all in Las Vegas for my daughter's high school graduation! That meant dinner with kids, stepkids, in-laws, out-laws, parents, stepparents and nieces on my ex's side of the family, and I was again blown away by the love and acceptance shown by everyone. It was really fun gathering everyone for dinner with my parents, my current in-laws and my first mother-in-law all together! My daughter was thrilled to have so much family around to help her celebrate!
The only snag in all of this was trying to figure out how to answer my son's question, "Mom, how am I related to all these people?"
I suppose we're related by heart.
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