i couldn’t be there when she was born, and it broke my heart. i finally got to meet her during our vacation - her parents drove her down to heavenly St. Augustine to spend an afternoon with us. y’all shoulda heard her cry when we were about to go. her mom thinks its because she was hungry. i know it was because she was going to miss me.
one day she will call me aunt mandy. even though we’re not related, we’re still family.
who do you consider to be “family” even though your gene pool says otherwise?
29 responses so far ↓
danielle // May 22, 2008 at 8:52 am
we have some ladies from our church, our former pastors and their family a couple girlfriends and some dear missionary friends.
glad you had a nice visit
lori // May 22, 2008 at 9:08 am
My daughter.
Travis // May 22, 2008 at 9:12 am
It is UNCLE Mandy and AUNT Drew. Jessica said it wrong once and I am afraid I am going to have to make it stick in Gracie’s cute little head.
And for the record you and Drew are “related” and so are the Kay’s… aunt and uncle Jim… plus all of Cart Drive I guess.
She has a BIG extended family.
Kristiapplesauce // May 22, 2008 at 9:29 am
I will come back to your question later because I am too distracted by that girl looking at us in the picture. She is thinking “Please, for the love of Pete, take this pink mushroom off my head!” that and the fact that you look like you are 15 in this picture. Dang, I want some of those drugs…er, I mean vitamins. Seriously.
jon // May 22, 2008 at 9:46 am
my pastor friend terry… http://www.twinoaksbapt.org/pastor.htm …he’s been a brother and father figure to me for years…he’s awesome!!!
that picture is awesome too!!!
traciejane // May 22, 2008 at 10:01 am
My mom’s best friend, I called her my aunt growing up, and now that I am older she has become auntie, kinda funny. And also church, a lot of them have become my family, my first church home ever.
Travis // May 22, 2008 at 10:06 am
Come on Kristi… it is a HAT and Mandy’s huge 15 year old head has the brim flipped up weird. It is all her fault for the silly look. It was very sunny in St. Augustine and I didn’t want my kid burning to a crisp.
lovewillbringustogether // May 22, 2008 at 10:24 am
I said you wanted one! - See - you’re a ‘natural’ for a a Mommy!
I have a Lil’ Sis. - Michelle in Texas. We’re actualy Siamese Twins - we’re joined at the Heart! ♥
And then there’s that ‘Single Branch’ from Missoura and her brood and kin. I KNOW i have my second home in Oregon there now!
<B
JudiFree.com // May 22, 2008 at 11:46 am
My husband and I met at youth camp (i think it’s the only camp relationship that EVER worked out). We also met one of our best friends their. We were all a bunch of dorky teenagers from different parts of the country. Now we all live in Denver and we consider our friend from camp our brother. He comes to ALL family functions and we love him dearly. Love you Josh!
Michelle // May 22, 2008 at 11:52 am
Aaawwww, Love, I was hopin’ you would say that! ♥
We coulda been twins, I tell ‘ya!
Now…where’s that little brother…?
NorEaster!!!
TheNorEaster // May 22, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Right here. Where else would I be…?
Even wrote a new post about changes ta me blog and out of AW YAW I only gots two comments! So now I’m all sad.
TheNorEaster // May 22, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Oh. Yeah. Beautiful “niece” ya got there, Mandy! But I hope when she grows up, she’ll have better taste in sunglasses!
Ah ha ha ha ha!!!
Brandy // May 22, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Certain close friends are like family to me. “Friends are the family you choose”
And Jake’s family of course.
I have two friends that I met at our first base who are totally like family to me. I love them dearly. One I haven’t seen in five years, the other I haven’t seen in almost four years. I also have two friends from middle school that I am still very close with. I’m the kind of person that would rather have a few close friends that are like family, than have a bunch of “friends.” y/k?
Today I just saw 3D ultrasound pics of my oldest friends baby…she is due in July. I got all teary thinking about how I loved her already but will not see her for at least a year after she is born.
Sarah // May 22, 2008 at 12:26 pm
That is a GREAT picture! Love it!!
For us, it’s “Uncky Wade”. I really don’t know how to spell “uncky” since it’s always been just a verbal thing…you know, uncle, but not quite…anyway, he’s Scott’s best friend and the kids love him.
Natalie Witcher // May 22, 2008 at 12:28 pm
My BFF boys are like family for sure!
mandythompson // May 22, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Kristi: you can find the drugs on the black market - disguised as chips-ahoy cookies.
Trav: you’re a good papa!
TheNor: ZIPPIT!!!!! no more making fun of me!
Lori: LOOOOOOOOVE your answer. yay
gchyayles // May 22, 2008 at 2:10 pm
My husband. I know legally that’s obvious but even before we got married, he made me a part of his family and even now beyond legalities he has never failed to say how he’s my family and will always be regardless of my status with my immediate family. Sigh. I just love him so much.
My best friend T and her son who calls me “TeTe.” My spiritual mom. My mom and dad in law. “TeTe” from church and lots of church individuals who have adopted me as their own since my family disowned me.
mandythompson // May 22, 2008 at 2:12 pm
gchyayles: i knew you’d bring us a great answer to this… wow. praise GOD for church family!
gchyayles // May 22, 2008 at 2:26 pm
yes praise God indeed!
She is beautiful btw! And so are you!
Kristiapplesauce // May 22, 2008 at 5:18 pm
black market…are you being funny?
mandythompson // May 22, 2008 at 5:20 pm
are you laughing?
alece // May 22, 2008 at 6:14 pm
you.
mandythompson // May 22, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Al: you might be the sweetest person i’ve never met!
Fred McKinnon // May 22, 2008 at 8:29 pm
you *THINK* that cutie pie in the picture is sweet (OK, yeah - I’m talking about the baby, ok!) … but you should see her in the midst of the Halo 3 action we had today.
(her MOM and DAD kicked my tail, easily … while she, the baby, just smiled and laughed) … I think she’s learning Halo 3 vicariously already.
mandythompson // May 22, 2008 at 9:58 pm
fred - you’ve been complaining about halo 3 ALL OVER THE INTERNET - well, just in your twitter feed on your blog.
your lovely wife doesn’t let you play more often???
charitymedders // May 23, 2008 at 12:53 am
I’m so gald you got to steal lots of kisses from Gracie! The picture of Aunt Mandy and Gracie is adorable! I’m sure she cried because she wanted to see me…oops..just kidding! Love you!
charitymedders // May 23, 2008 at 12:54 am
P.S.- you look very tan for a Northerner.
mandythompson // May 23, 2008 at 7:40 am
Char: HAHAHAHA!!!!
TheNorEaster // May 23, 2008 at 11:19 am
Mandy:
It occurred to me after I had hit “submit” that my previous comment was probably a little…overboard. A bad joke gone awry. Unnecessary. Crossed the line. Whatever.
So. Sorry about that. I could say that I’ve under a lot of stress this month–and I’m not going to talk about it here or even on my site–but that is still no excuse.
Anyway.
[In sincere voice] “Sorry about that.”