I have been blessed with great in-laws. And they have been a great influence in teaching me about sacrifice and selflessness. It is something they emulate when you look into their eyes - the whole clan of them. I could talk about how each one of Matt's brothers and sisters (and their spouses) have impressed me in one way or another ... but I want to talk specifically about his parents right now.
For some reason or another - I laid awake last night thinking about the different conversations Matt and I have had about his parents and everything they have done for me and for us since we've been married.
They come to every home game. Practically every other Saturday they drive 2 hours down and then 2 hours back just to come to the game. And I know that it's not because they are die-hard BYU fans cause Becky's told me that they wouldn't come to every game if they didn't have a son on the team ... and how she swore she wouldn't go to another football game prob 15 years ago. Talk about support. And this has kinda been their story for the last 15 years or however long it's been since their youngest started playing sports. Matt remembers his parents coming to all his games as well as his brother's and sister's games always. And you're talking 7 kids each playing at least 2 sports all throughout high school and then some. What an amazing sacrifice of time. From what Matt remembers, his dad went to work super early - like around 6 - so that he was off in time to get to all the sports his kids were playing in. This is something Matt and I have decided we will try to implement as much as possible when we have kids - we want to be there at every game/concert/whatever to show our kids that support and love.
Sidenote - my dad was the same way with me. I don't want it sound like my parents neglected me or something ... my dad was at every game he could possibly be to even if meant him staying up in his office for hours later that night. I don't think it really hit me how much I appreciated it until after I graduated. The way that affected me is another reason I have determined that I will do the same thing for my children.
That's not the end of it though - they've impressed me in so many ways. They are the kind of people that genuinely care and give service with a compassionate heart. They are more concerned about the well-being of people, especially their children, and it amazes me how willing they are to give up their own things for other people. They're not out to impress anyone of show-off ... they're real and genuine.
They've helped me to think differently about life in general and about parenting aspects I probably wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
They have been great examples to me as I've gotten to know them over the past 2 years. They are amazing people and they've passed that onto their kids-Matt along with his brothers and sisters are just the same way. I'm grateful for their examples in my life and grateful that I get to call them family. Our kids will get some those genes passed on to them and hopefully they will see those examples and become a lot like them too. Thank you Putnams!
