A Part of the Whole

Families do not come with directions.  In a way this is good because I am not really good about reading directions.  I am kind of one of those people who thinks they can figure out how things work without reading them anyway.
I do think, however, that it might be nice when you get married if your husband's family came with a How-To Book.
Let's be honest, it is difficult enough to figure out the person you marry. Then you have all these other people that come with him, and you have absolutely NO idea how they operate. It's all trial and error.
"You know you probably shouldn't mention that around my dad because he's kind of sensitive about frogs. It reminds him about the time when he was a kid and my grandpa ran over his pet frog, Alfie, with the thresher machine."
What the????
"Um, it might be a good idea if when you're around my mom you don't do that thing you do with your eyebrows. Her sister's first boyfriend used to do a thing with his eyebrows, and one Christmas the shit really hit the fan."
You're kidding me right?
"Well you know. I'm just trying to help you out."
And this was all before I had met them.
Since that time, I have learned a lot about Will's family.
Through trial and error.
I do not always say what I am "supposed" to say.
I do not always do what I am "supposed" to do.
 I am not really sure what that is to be honest.  I don't have the manual. But sometimes I get the feeling that it might not be exactly what they are used to.  This is kind of a scritchy scratchy feeling I get down my spine.
Oh. And the tight-lipped look I get from Will.
But after 5 years, I have also come to some realizations.
I am who I am. No, not Popeye. Thanks. I'll just continue.
For some reason Will picked me.  And I picked him.  I am not always going to be quiet when I see bad behavior or am forced to be in situations that make me uncomfortable. Not after my experiences. Not after my personal journey.
I could not be prouder to be married to my husband. I don't know a better father, a better son, a better man who is always striving to improve who he is.
This makes me extremely proud to be his wife.
And then I stop and ask myself...WHERE did he come from?
And I realize.
It's from those people he brought with him.
You know, the ones without directions.
HIS FAMILY.
And I am so grateful, to even be a small part of them.