Family Matters

Last night, I excitedly told Mark about the recent announcement of the return of Boy Meets World. Dumbfounded, he looked at me with a blank stare on that rugged face of his and eloquently said, "Huh?"

Shocked, I replied, "You know...Step by Step? Full House? TGIF?" Mark then explained that the only show he watched was Family Matters. He also included some snarky comment about how young I am as he feels it's important to constantly remind me that he is a WHOLE four years older than me. This actually backfired on him once because I turned the tables around on him by reminding him if he was so old, he must also have "old balls." He was not at all pleased with that comment but at least it made him lay off the "older and wiser" joking rhetoric.

Anyhow, I started thinking about the show Family Matters and all that the title implies. This, in turn, made me think about how important family really is and how excited I am with what I think will be the new addition to our clan soon. No, I'm not talking about the baby in my belly (although I am obviously excited about that event as well). I'm talking about the fact that my little brother Gabriel and his long-time girlfriend Tanya are finally talking about the big "M," as in Marriage!!

Gabe and Tanya have been dating for over 4 years now. I first met her when he brought her down to the Bay Area for my wedding. Being the trooper that she is, she came to my bridal luncheon while Gabe went golfing with the boys. She also went with my mother and me to get our nails done the day before the wedding. I remember being impressed with the fact that she was so willing to hang out with Gabe's family without Gabe there and without ever having met us before.

A year or two ago, Tanya and I began to grow close. I don't have a sister myself and I have to admit, it was a bit awkward at first to have my brothers girlfriend calling me on the phone "just to chat." It quickly became routine and now we talk at least 3 times a day. My mom and her sister talk several times a day as well, sometimes, about nothing in particular and I used to be jealous that I didn't have a sister of my own to do that kind of stuff with. I am so lucky that Tanya has stepped into that role and has quickly become the sister I've never had.

Tanya is the tiniest little thing that you have ever seen but man, will she bite if she has to! One of my favorite comments that came from her little mouth was when she said, "Tianna, I'll take off my shoe and heel a bitch." That tough girl talk coming from such a petite girl always makes us laugh.

The first Christmas that she spent with the family, Mark was hugging everyone after the present opening and thanking all for the gifts. Tanya was sitting on the ground when Mark leaned down to hug her. Without even thinking about it, he lifted her into the air like a baby and hugged her; she is that tiny. The family still laughs about that. Another time, Mark was examining her smallness and without thinking told her that she had "tiny little Carnie hands." I'm sure that she came back with some witty reply and that's why we love her. She can give it and take it and that is essential in our family! She fits right in and seems to take the good and the bad that a close family has to offer; not only does she accept it all but she embraces it. My older brother married Tami, my friend of 20+ years, so I am a lucky girl all around!

Someone recently implied to me that sister-in-laws don't have to be close or talk all the time because that's all they are...sister-in-laws. I have to say that I beg to differ! The benefits of having someone like Tanya, even if she is (fingers crossed) "only a sister-in-law" are indescribable!

So, point being...family does matter! Friends come and go. As cliche as it sounds, family is forever and I am lucky to have the family that I have.

Now, hopefully my brother won't take another 4 years to propose to this girl because she is a keeper. I'm off to call "Carnie hands!"