Posts Tagged ‘blended families’

Yours, Mine, and Ours

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Last weekend, the man that I have been dating for over a year now asked me to marry him. So now starts the process of blending his two little girls (ages 5 and 7) with my little Brady into a happy family of five. I realize the task won’t be easy. But we have been preparing their hearts and minds for months now: asking how they felt about us getting married, how it would be moving to a new house together, how they would have a brother or sisters now, etc.. So when the kids found out, they weren’t surprised. All three were quite happy.

The first time after the engagement the 7 year old saw me, she ran and jumped in my arms and said, “there is my new stepmommy.” Wow – not the response that I expected. It instantly reminded me of the story, Cinderella. Now, she has been asking since May “Daddy, when are you and Melissa getting married. Let’s do it already.” She is a funny girl, whom I quickly grew to love. Ironically, I have had the 5 year old in Sunday School since she was born. I fell in love with her back then and always had a strange connection with her, even as a toddler. I never knew her dad, Mike, until Fall of 2009.

Then there is our little Brady. Yesterday he asked me during lunch, if he was allowed to call Mr. Mike  “Daddy Mike” now. Brady isn’t quick with affection or trust. So for him to even consider such a name is a true honor. I feel so happy that the kids have all accepted everything (so far).

Of course everyone’s question now is “when are you guys having YOUR baby.” That is the funny thing. The girls already feel like my babies, and Brady already feels like his baby. We both are so happy and content with our three, that neither one of us has any desire to add a fourth that would be “ours,” because all three of the wonderful kids are OURS. We are not just marrying each other, we are really marrying the entire family.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I have heard that blending families together is tough ~ and to be prepared for the worst. So far, I guess we have been blessed and we just take it one day at a time. But moving into a new house together will be a challenge for all five of us. Brady will be going from an only child to the youngest of three. I am going from having one child to three. Mike is used to two calm little girls;  now he is going to have an extremely energetic little boy too. I am sure there will be lots of bending and blending on everyone’s part. But, I feel like I have finally found a true partner to hold my hand through the good times and the bad. We are all excited about this new journey together. And so the next chapter of my life and Brady’s begins: with the addition of three new wonderful characters.