Thought for Food

Nineteen years ago today my dad married Shelley. I don’t have any photos of them together on that day — but perhaps it’s fitting I post one of her and me. I may not have taken vows or signed a certificate, I may not have even been in the double-digits yet, but it was as important a day for me as it was for them: it was the day we became a family.

If my nerves were any indication — I stood by my dad’s side during the ceremony, biting my nails to the quick — I understood that they were doing this in part for me, that Shelley was making a lifelong commitment not only to my dad, and that I would bear responsibility for the success of their partnership and our family.

It wasn’t always easy — it took me a few years before I was comfortable with Shelley adopting me — but that day marked the beginning of the greatest commitment I’ve made in my life to date.

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating: I learned all I know about love from them. I thank them for that lesson every day I wake and see this wonderful, complicated person whose life I share. I thank them every time I speak or see or think of my beautiful Gena, the product of their love, the missing piece.

Thank you! And congratulations.