Mother-in-laws generally get a bad rap, especially when the husband is a momma's boy. Brent is a Momma's boy. He and his mom are VERY tight. Before we got married I'm pretty sure they spoke on the phone at least daily, which is, let's just say, a little more frequent than I call my family.
At first, I didn't quite know what to make of it. It seemed that Brent's mom had a lot of sway in his decisions, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that... mostly because I'm headstrong and independent and just naturally expected everyone else to be the same way. But, Brent is different. He listens and considers. He seeks advice from people who are wise. He surrounds himself with people who are good and allows them to influence him.
Alas, not only did I find my mother-in-law gave good advice, but she practically always gave MY advice. More than once when Brent and I were together and he was on the phone with her, she and I would say the same thing at the same time, then he would respond, then we would respond... I mean for a whole conversation! Sometimes it was just a little creepy just HOW on the same wavelength we were.
She does have more experience and wisdom to offer than I do on many subjects. She is frank and unabashed and like I am, opinionated but open and not easily offended. To have her as my mother has been one of the most (there are many) wonderful things about my marriage. My Dad always said, choose your inlaws, then choose your spouse (He has great respect for my maternal grandparents). I did not know Lori when I fell in love with Brent, but I feel like I've known her as long as I've known myself.
AND there is more! My husband came from a house full of mothers. Auntie Karen and Meme (Grandma) were also like mothers to him, and then there is Auntie Lisa, who supported Brent by letting him live with her all through college, and Tammy. Tammy especially has been a wonderful friend and mom to us. She is so generous to us in every way, sometimes I don't know how to take it. Most of the furniture in our home came from Dad and Tammy. She is absolutely talented at picking out just the right gift for someone. She has opened up thier home to us, so we feel like we can go home for a break whenever we can get away.
I just have to give a little extra shout out here to AK (Auntie Karen). She put a TON of work into helping make our wedding reception the most incredible I have ever attended. She sent us home after Christmas with a huge box of toys for our kids (which, most of you know, we are still waiting for). And, my favorite AK story, she planned weeks ahead to take me shopping one day, for the whole day, so I got off work, and was ready at 7 AM when she picked me up so we could drive up to this "new dollar store west of Salt Lake." She drove right to the airport and announced that we were flying to Las Angeles for the day to go shopping and Disney Pin trading! It was one of the biggest surprises of my life! It was awesome! These are just a few examples...
Basically, I am totally sold on the idea of mother-in-laws. I am tremendously grateful for mine!
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