Dear Darren,

The first time I ever walked in on a gathering of my husband’s family was over Thanksgiving of 2003.  I could hear the noise all the way from the street and when we entered the front door to the split level home that was hosting dinner that year, I remember thinking to myself…”I can turn around now without anyone noticing!!”  There were so many people and it was so loud…and the lone wolf that I was so used to being felt wildly out of place.

I took a deep breath…Steve grabbed my hand…and led me up the stairs to introduce me to everyone…and without a second thought, they swallowed me whole in hugs and questions.  Granted, this also meant that they didn’t hesitate to harass me or start trash talking about hockey with me [Go Sens!]…but I was there; with them…among them…one of them.

So, I know what it’s like to be the new face in the family…and it took me years to finally get everyone straight!

But, even as the new face…these beautiful people took me in like I was one of their own…like I had always been there all along…and I can tell you that – as the adopted members of this crazy chaos – we’re the luckiest people in the world.

I think you can tell a lot about people and their families when you spend a day photographing a wedding.  And after having spent one of the most beautiful days of my summer with you, I can definitively say that I think we’ve met our match with your amazing family!

Aside from the fact that I’ve never met a more hilarious woman in my life than your Mother [seriously…someone please let her host the Oscars!!], every single person I met that day radiated grace and kindness in a way that you don’t see very often.  And it was such a beautiful thing.  Because that night, you became one of us…and our girl became one of you…and a new family came to life.

A perfectly made for each other family.

You certainly don’t need me to tell you that you won it all the day you married our Lindsay…as her family, we obviously think she’s kind of a big deal.  But I think I speak for all of us when I say we won the jackpot with you too!!  Your quiet demeanor…your strong spirit…your adorable nephew who can dance circles around anyone…we’ll take it all!

And as for you, beautiful Lindsay…you do one heck of a job making your family proud!!!  Don’t ever stop just being you!!

So, from one newbie to another…

Welcome to the family, Darren!!  Don’t try to talk louder than them…and you’ll be just fine!!

xoxo