Congratulations. You are now part of the tribe.

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Bonus points if you get my reference.

We’ve spent the past day and a half with my family, and we’ll spend more time with them today. Thanksgiving is always a multi-day event with us these days, because some people come from out of town, and we like to do a bunch of things while everyone’s here. For some of my family, this is the only time during the year that we see them. So Thanksgiving is a big deal.

I was so grateful to get to share my family Thanksgiving with Rory last year, even though we’d only been together for about a month. With some people, you just know they’re sticking around, and it was that way with us. But he was still really new, and it was the first time he was meeting most of my family.

But this year…

He took charge of a lot of the work in the kitchen, and made sure my mom was having a good time, and made an effort to get to know my cousins and aunts and uncles. And he and my sister bonded over many laughs and topics. He appreciated all of the music that was sung and played, and joined in on the fun. For someone who comes from what seems like a different world from the one in which I grew up, he fits right in.

I’ve always adored my family, and I’ve always been grateful for their presence and support in my life. And it felt so fantastic to be able to share that with Rory. Not just to show him what a family can be, but to drag him (without any kicking or screaming) into my family. He is now well integrated into our group, and gets along well with everyone. He doesn’t know everyone well yet, but honestly, neither do I. Some people are pretty quiet. But it’s just very satisfying to be a part of putting him an environment where he is treated as he deserves to be treated. With respect. As a human being. As an equal. As an adult with valid ideas and opinions. As Rory the Awesome.