I didn't realize how truly great my parents are and were growing up until I moved out, which probably a lot of people could say. But once I saw how absolutely insane other people's mother's were, and how crazy their father's were, I began to appreciate how good I had it. Yes, we were poor, but we had a lot more going for us than most people.
Out of every thing though, one of the things I admire most about my parents as a couple is their politics.
This may come as a surprise to some, seeing as my parents (particularly my Dad) are very, very Conservative and I am very, very Liberal. Although I do not agree with much of their ideas and they for sure don't agree with mine, I have had several experiences that have impressed me. I have seen my parents sitting at the kitchen table, discussing and researching the candidates for an upcoming local election together. My mom told me later that even though they discuss things together, they choose to vote personally and don't necessarily always vote the same. I know that they do not believe in voting strictly according to party lines, but will vote for who they believe is the best candidate, even if that means they vote for a Democrat. I'm grateful to know that I have parents who care, who take their right to vote seriously. It is a great example to me that they can discuss issues and not necessarily agree or vote the same, but have the respect for each other's opinions to not allow it to cause an issue at home.
I also love my Dad's ghostie pants dance and my Mom's "Bland" moments.
Being the 5th of 6 kids I've had the unique opportunity to spend time with each of my siblings and their significant others as the "third wheel" in multiple instances. Because of this, I feel blessed to know my in-laws well and have a personal relationship with each of them. I have also been able to observe them together as couples.
The Sadlers and I go way back. There were several Christmas Breaks and Summers where Jen and I lived together/lived in the same town and spent our free time together. I think I was the first Mahan to officially meet Nick. I have been there to see the many ups and downs they have had in their relationship. They are in one of the most trying downs of their lives right now, and I can only pray that things are never this hellish again. But I admire their willingness to fight. They both, particularly my sister but I give him credit too, have refused to give up on their relationship. In a world where divorce is all too common, and people split because of "irreconciable difference" or lesser reasons, it is admirable that they have stuck things out. I love them both, and I pray that things do work out for the best for their family.
I also love Jen's hilarious openness about all things personal and Nick's obsession with his hair.
The Mahans have been together the longest out of all of the couples. They started dating right after Adam graduated high school. They got engaged the day Kara graduated from high school. They just had their first baby, Paisley, and they have built their home in Broomfield after moving around and being apart for several years while Adam finished his service in the Marines. Through all that time, one thing I have noticed and I love about them as a couple is that they always do small, nice things for each other. You can tell that they care by looking at how they treat each other. I remember once Kara was at our house and Adam got home and he gave Kara a mini Nalgene bottle because he saw it at the store and knew she would like it. She was so excited because she likes small things. You can see how Kara decorates and prepares for Adam's birthday, making it different and special every year. I love to see that. It inspires me to try and do the same in my relationship.
I also love Adam's giggle and Kara's inability to laugh hard without also crying.
The Griffiths are so talented and have done so many things together as a couple that I'm pretty jealous. They have traveled together, played together, suffered together, had babies, you name it. What I admire most about them is that they are truly chasing their dreams. Matt is a phenomenal musician, and their mutual love of music has led them to Nashville, where they live with their two girls while he pursues his career in music. I love that Stef loves him and is so supportive of his dream. It takes a lot of guts to move away from home and family to make a living doing something you love that is crazy hard. I wish we were more like them, unafraid (or at least brave enough) to go after something we loved.
I also love Stef's facial expressions and Matt's bizarre comments.
The Glems are the ones I have spent the most time with, having lived with them on and off for the first 3 years of their marriage and in the same town since they started dating. Holly is my other soul mate, and I'm grateful that I have been able to establish a great relationship with Eric as well. Spend ten minutes with them together and you will see that they have the most genuine mutual enjoyment of the other's company of anyone I've ever met. They are best friends before anything, and with everything that they have been through as a couple and still are going through even now, they love each other so much. They both think each other is hilarious, and they laugh and play together almost as if their love is new, even though they have been together for several years.
I also love Holly's freak outs and Eric's wheeling and dealing.
Kelli is the youngest, and although she has an adorable boyfriend that I love, I will not put any undue pressure on that relationship by writing about it here. :) So it's just Kelli, my only single sibling left. Her and I had some time together at home without any other siblings since we are the two youngest, and let me tell you, no one can get under my skin and bug me more than her. She knows exactly how to push my buttons and she is not afraid to do so. (We get along better now that we don't live together or share a room.) She is funny and has a strange sense of humor that is hilarious and weird all at the same time. I love her a lot, but I admire her commitment and loyalty to people and jobs that she loves the most. She has worked at some great places with some great people, and also some not so great people, but she sticks it out a refuses to sink to the level of some other more immature people who try and tear her down. (PS if I ever meet those people, I WILL have a thing or two to say and they should be scared) She is great at rising above, and I love that about her.
I also love her permapart. I miss it.
As you can see, these are some pretty cool peeps. You should try to be their friend, if you aren't already.
