This past weekend was quite a busy one. On top of it being a holiday weekend, we had two (yes, two) family reunions to attend. A family reunion can either be a lot of fun or a complete disaster, and I have found that a lot of that is determined by your attitude. I try to approach each with a positive one. I’ve found that even if I don’t know someone, if I reach out and shake their hand or exchange a brief hug, it can make a huge difference in the conversation and interaction. Being a newlywed, we have worked quite diligently at getting to know each other’s families and attending family functions together. As the saying goes, you aren’t just marrying your fiancé, you’re marrying their family as well.

Occasionally, one of us might be unable to attend and this was the case this past weekend on Saturday, the 4th of July. Andrew had to work, so I brought my friend Kelly along for the lunchtime reunion and she was such a good sport. My annual family reunion is held in Garner on our family’s farm. Good food is always helpful for a big event. We dined on everything from barbeque to fried chicken. Mingling with family members I don’t get to see very often was awesome. Of course, people wondered where my hubby was. I shared that he was working hard, and they asked me to pass along their greetings.

For Andrew’s family reunion, we hit the road bright and early on Sunday morning headed to Mt. Airy. As a side note, Mt. Airy was the inspiration for the town of Mayberry in the Andy Griffith show. I love the small-town atmosphere and this place definitely has it, not to mention the beautiful scenery of the North Carolina mountains. The morning started off with drizzly rain and we hoped it would dwindle off as Mt. Airy grew closer. The reunion was to be held outside and a band had been put in place to provide fun music. As we pulled in, it began to pour and we all knew that the weather we had imagined wouldn’t be realistic. The band moved inside and the family gathered around them chatting and dining on delicious Southern cuisine. So many hugs were exchanged and introductions were made. It was wonderful to see both familiar faces and new ones.

Being a newlywed – and I am sure you can agree – it’s tough to see every family member on a frequent basis. Our wedding day was a helpful opportunity, but the day was a complete blur. We realized after the fact that we hadn’t been able to speak with everyone we intended to. I realized this past weekend that family reunions can be extremely helpful in catching up with those who don’t live close to you and those you haven’t met yet. The thought of seeing so many people can seem overwhelming but just be yourself and you’d be surprised at how easily you can settle in.

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