Family.
Monday, August 14th, 2006This past weekend, I was graciously invited to witness Adam’s brother Drew marry his love Joanna. While I already know and adore Anne Marie (who doesn’t?!?!) and the boys (so cute!), this was my first time meeting the rest of the Swartz Clan.
My last boyfriend and I dated on and off for two years.
If I had to simplify what went wrong with that relationship, I would have to nail it down to one thing: family.
obligation. expectation. independence. validation.
family.
My ex-boyfriend came from a different cultural background than I and his family had ideas about the type of girl he should be with. Needless to say, I did not fit the part and he was unable to make major decisions about his life without being debilitatingly concerned about his parent’s approval.
In two years, I met his parents less than a handful of times. While that might not seem abnormal, depending on the circumstances, I should possibly point out that my ex-boyfriend LIVED WITH his parents.
3 times in two years.
You can only imagine then, how much it meant to me to be so warmly welcomed by Adam’s family.

The Swartzs
Individually, they’re all really sweet and funny and cool and interesting and smart and witty and goofy and nice. As a unit, they’re so nearly totally functional* I was almost a little jealous. It was really something special to see them all together and to witness the way love comes out in endless laughter.
One of the bestest things about it (besides the sap rant above), was that I also got to spend time with one of my favoritest favorites:

Carrie!
and I finally met The Pants! (who is just as awesome as you’d think he’d be.)
and! AND! I got a chance to wear my latest (sewing) FO!

My dress**…
…which was much appreciated by The Boyfriend…

pictured here, quite drunk and quite cute.
It was a beautiful weekend spent with really great people.

Congratulations Drew and Joanna!!!
Thanks for letting me be a part of everything.
* no family’s ALL functional
** an attempt to use craftiness to achieve thriftiness! Pattern + Materials = $25!