Happy Birthday to Our SIL

The first time I heard of Mike. Sheri was going to community college.

She informed us, "When I get to class this year, I am going to sit by someone I do not know and make new friends." Apparently she did that.

Mike was watching but it is our understanding all she did was Talk.

Sheri had been pretty much out of the dating game since High school. A few here and there but nothing she was crazy about or really wanted to see again.

So one day she comes in telling us "This guy has been hitting on her, only to find out he is married!" She is so mad! She is furious. Not only is he married but he is the father of a little boy.

She saw them in the store together.

Then she goes in to a local Movie rental store and sees him again, He is working there. She goes in with her brother. Now Mike thinks he also has competition until Sheri introduces her brother.

Now Mike has to make sure Sheri knows he was with his sister and her little boy.

What a confusion of misconceptions.

Mike had asked her out several times, one day she came in and again told us he kept asking her out, She was to give an answer later.

I had seen enough to know she was lonely but she just would not give guys the time of day.

So when he asked again, I asked a few important questions.

"Is he nice". Is he single? Is he OK?"

So what is the problem? According to her,she thought he was cute but did not want to date yet. (although she had put him off several times with work or whatever excuse she could come up with).

I finally said, " You say Yes, or you say No. Do not keep this up. It is not fair to him and you are not giving yourself a chance. "

She stormed out of the house and went to school.

At noon she bounced into my work place and said "Well I hope you are happy, I told him I would go to a movie with him." Now Mom is the bad guy.

I said "N not particularly but I do not want to see you keep beating yourself up, If you do not like him you can come home or you can not go again."

So that evening as He was due to arrive, I answered the door, I had to say, I do not know the problem he was gorgeous.

Sheri went out with him. Mike did everything correct. He took her to the movies, he bought advance tickets, No waiting in line. He was a gentleman. Then when they began dating, we saw the ever present ball cap. Mike has beautiful black hair (had) he keeps covered. But that is our Mike. The ever present cap and shorts. The ever present calm attitude. the Constant good Dad.

When she walked in that evening, she came to our room and sat on the end of the bed.

"Mom you were right, we are going out again, He was mature and had all the date in order, No kid stuff." When she walked out I smiled. I knew she was OK now.

So from day one they were inseparable. They were together nearly every day. When he went away to Sacramento to college I thought she and he were lost.

Within two months they were married. It was just too difficult being apart.

That was 17 years ago.

I have to say, I could not be happier with my son in law. We can joke and be friends. He is a wonderful dad to my grandchildren and he takes good care of my daughter.

What more can a Mom ask? He has met all our expectations and more.

Happy birthday Mike, You deserve a great day.

Love you Mom and Dad In Law