Saturday, May 10, 2014

To My Mother-In-Law on Mother's Day

Dear Mother-In-Law,

He's yours. I never thought I'd say that, but it's true. I guess in my young, naive, newlywed mind I thought I loved him more than anyone on the planet. After all, I'm choosing to spend the rest of my life with him, right? I also thought it was kind of silly for you to be so sentimental on our wedding day. Young adults leave home, that's what they do. Natural cycle of life and all. But then something happened. I had a son. And my perspective forever changed. In an instant, I realized that my husband is first, and foremost, your baby boy. Just as I felt my heart almost burst with love the first time I snuggled in my son's warm, sweet body to mine, so yours almost burst decades ago when the wonderful man I know as my husband was born. I now know that you love my husband with a love so strong it hurts. I feel the same ache in my chest when I gaze at this little boy sleeping in my arms. So even though he never stopped being your boy, I can now acknowledge that. I acknowledge that he's not some crazy woman's husband. He's yours. And I thank you. Thank you for letting me take care of your boy, for not saying anything when you see me do things you know he'd want done a different way. Thank you for letting me be such a special part of your boy's, and in turn, your life. Thank you for raising your baby boy into the man he is today. I love you for it.

Love,
Your Daughter-In-Law

No comments:

Post a Comment