She would take me everywhere with her: to the park, to feed the ducks, and sometimes to meet her boyfriends. After she met Uncle Rich, we would go to his farm to see the animals.
I liked Uncle Rich a lot, that is, until he wanted to marry my Aunt Kelly. She was mine and I didn't want to share. I was afraid he would move her far away from me. I don't know why I thought that, maybe it was because Aunt Jan and Uncle Tyler lived far away.
I wasn't happy about their wedding and I refused to take any pictures with them at all, except for this one.
When they had kids, I was even less happy. I thought they were trying to replace me.
Uncle Rich tried really hard to get me to like him. I remember one time in particular when he tucked me into bed and read me stories. That night he taught me how to count beyond 20.
It turns out that I was right about them moving away. We lived in New Jersey at the time, and they ended up moving right outside of Atlanta. I was not happy.
At one point Uncle Rich got really sick. They didn't know what was wrong with him or if he was going to be ok. It was scary. I felt bad for being mean to him. I think it was at that point that I forgave him for "stealing" Aunt Kelly. I was about 8 or 9 at the time. I even wrote him a letter and told him I was sorry and that I hoped he felt better (although I am not sure it actually got mailed). Once I forgave him, I realized what a great guy he really is. Fortunately for all of us, he made a full recovery.
They have been married for 33 years. I'm happy that they have each other. Their two daughters - the ones I didn't really like in the beginning - have become my closest cousins. I was even in Lindsey's wedding (and a lot of the pictures).
If you look carefully you can see Jack in the picture too - I was about six months pregnant with him.
In an interesting turn of events, Jack absolutely loves Uncle Rich, and in his mind, I think Aunt Kelly is just the woman Uncle Rich lives with - LOL.
Uncle Rich was the first of a long line of people, things, and situations that I rejected initially, but once I opened my mind and my heart, I realized that he and all of those other things were really and truly blessings in my life. I am thankful both for the realization and for the blessings themselves.
To Uncle Rich: thank you for being such a great friend and uncle and for being patient with me. I love you and Aunt Kelly both!
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