I was going to write a follow up diary about our fight to defeat Andrew Pugno who is the republican candidate running for our state assembly district here in California. But not tonight.... instead I wanted to share something personal.
I never thought I would say 'my father in-law' and have the weight of a legal marriage behind it.
Me and my better half used to joke about our (air quotes) in-laws, but now its real. Now that I married my husband in August of 2008 I have in-laws. How cool is that!? They don't know we are married though, they are very old school Chinese and it just didn't seem important for us to rock their world. We get on great my father in-law and I. We visit them at least once every couple of months over a weekend. My father in-law and I both get up early and have a cup of coffee while reading the morning paper. Sometimes there's a bit of a language barrier but we understand each other pretty well.
Funny thing about the ability to get married... you get all the rights and the responsibilities, responsibilities like in-laws. I guess I feel lucky that my in-laws never felt like a burden, matter of fact I really enjoy our weekend jaunts to visit them.
Another responsibility? In-laws pass away and my husband is trying to put on a brave face tonight but I know that his big heart is breaking over the fact his dad passed away tonight and he can't wait to fly home tomorrow morning to be with his mom and brothers. Me? My big heart is breaking too... for him, for my father in-law (have you noticed I really like to say that?) and especially for my mother in-law.
Rest in peace Quinn, I'll miss you. You raised a very fine son, I promise to take good care of him.
Boy... this marriage stuff is hard. But I wouldn't trade it for anything.