I love this man. Head over heels. So the pressure to fit in felt completely overwhelming. And how did I deal with this? I baked. Cupcakes, and brownies, and this ranch trail mix, and a lemon dill dip. After the Chief specifically asked me not to, and after he accidentally emailed me the memo from his mother saying that I could. This for him was a point of contention and concern, he strongly felt that I should just show up, by myself and call it a day. But damnit I'm not good enough to show up empty handed, and I will win their love and approval through delicious and artistically football shaped cupcakes and tasty dips, yes. This is a great, and solid plan.
He picks me up at 2 to head over to his Baba's house, even though kick-off isn't till 5:30 and the invite says not to come before 3. But we are rebels (and for this I am grateful, because it means that I'll be there before everyone else, and seem to already belong when they get there. High fives to the Chief for his clever and wily ways). This is why I love him.
He assures me that his Baba will approve simply because he is the favourite, and if he is happy, and I'm the reason he's happy, then she'll be happy. She is the most adorable woman in the world, and since my Grandmother is an evil, evil woman I decided to adopt the Chief's Baba if I survive and achieve approval from his family. "We're a hugging family," she tells me with a smile. She pulls her grandson close and smiles, "It's about time." She tells him, I don't think they realize I can hear them. She lovingly places her hands on his cheeks, and tells him he deserves this, to be happy. I agree, and I'm am incredibly pleased that even though I think he's as nervous as I am, she can tell how happy he is. His Dido is just as sweet, with smiles and warm greetings and offering to help with boxes.
His Mom (who has already once suffered through my anxiety baking) smiles and laughs while scolding me for my big rubbermaid tote of food that I really shouldn't have brought along, but seems excited to see me again. This I take for a good sign. His Dad smiles at me in the way that Dad's do, stern, and a little bit aloof, but still totally welcoming. I'm still on the fence about whether his sister thinks this is a good idea or not.
As his family filters in I meet his Wiko's and Tanta's which is probably misspelt but is the equivalent of Uncle and Aunts. I meet his cousins (one whom I SWEAR I know from my short lived days of ballroom dancing. I can't follow, I lead.). And everyone is big smiles and welcoming attitudes.
As the night progresses we laugh and cheer, and they joke around and tease one another atrociously. I'm not a big drinker, and the Chief knows this, but I knock back the hand sanitizer flavoured jell-o shooters like a champ (dare I say better than he did? I made less faces!). We eat and drink and generally are merry, shouting obscenities and curses at the TV between teasing one another.
They decide to take a family picture of the kids to put on Baba's fridge and I'm all ready with my camera to snap a few shots when his Mom tells me to get in the picture. I hesitate, obviously not sure that this is the best idea ever, but she encourages me. So when Baba get's her grandkids shot guess who makes the fridge? Mhmm, that'd be me. And the Chief. And his sister. And cousins. And me, did I mention me?
At the end of the night (Which is 9:15 by the time we leave. That's over 6 hours folks) I'm complimented on my baking abilities (score!) and thanked. Babe and Dido give me big hugs, and she sternly looks me in the eyes and says she'll see me again soon, after asking for the dip recipe. His Mom scolds me one last time for bring so much damn stuff, and laughs. His Dad and Wiko's and Tanta's all say goodbye with big smiles, as to his cousins with waves. As we march up the stairs his Tanta in the kitchen thanks me for the stuff, compliments my abilities and tells me she's looking forward to seeing me again.
In the car ride home we're both a little quite. I'm almost scared to ask how he thought it went.
With these people, I was home. Just like with the Chief I'm home. I had so much fun. I felt so welcome, so a part of everything that happened. I felt like I belonged.
I'm a little bit terrified to hear what his family has to say to him once I'm gone and they've got him to themselves....
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