A to Z Challenge: Parents

My father, mother, myself, DH, my mother-in-law, and father-in-law on our wedding day 1983

Both sets of our parents, though not front and center during our courtship, were close by and very supportive of DH and I while we were dating. It has often been said that to truly know a person, it helps to know that person's parents.   DH and I met each other's parents within weeks of meeting each other, and I for one was very impressed with what I saw.

Since we were living away from home going to school, we didn't see our parents every day, but we probably saw one or both sets of parents almost every week during that summer that we met.   There were plenty of family activities going on, and we were welcomed almost any time of the day or night at either home.  Family picnics, barbecues, family dinners, board game nights, family reunions, graduations, weddings, hikes, and more family activities were a big part of our courtship.

Both of our fathers worked long and hard, my father as a dairy farmer and DH's father in his own carpet business.  Our mothers were both stay-at-home moms who also worked hard to make their homes comfortable, loving places to live and visit.  Both sets of parents have always set high standards for themselves and for their children.  They all have strong faith in God and a love for their country and fellowmen.  None of our parents have ever been overly protective, but they have been supportive of our goals and dreams and willing to offer advice when asked.   We were allowed to make our own choices and decisions in regards to education, careers, missionary service, friendships and our marriage.

Our children have been blessed with wonderful, loving grandparents, and we all cherish the examples these four splendid people have been to us over the years.  My dear Mother-in-law is the only one of the four still with us today, and we're grateful to have her living nearby, and often feel the presence of our other parents in our lives.  We could not have wished for better parents!