Meet the Parents

Imagine the nicest, friendliest, most warm and welcoming people your mind can conjure up. Those are Paul's parents. I met them last night.

Whatever anxiety I may have felt in advance vanished immediately after his mother opened the door. I wanted Paul to enter first and introduce me, but ever-the-gentleman, he ushered me ahead of him. I had to step around his mother to enter the narrow foyer, and I felt uneasy entering the home of someone to whom I'd not yet been introduced. Silly me. Paul's mother didn't wait for formal introductions. She hugged me like I was family. As she turned around to hug Paul, his Dad arrived to add his bear hug and cheek kiss to the warm welcome.

I sat on the couch with Paul's mother, so she could show me family snap shots. Then she pulled out a photo album of places she and Paul's dad have visited with a group of senior travelers they vacation with. She excitedly pointed out the highlights: Niagara falls (it's prettier from the Canada side), Myrtle Beach, New Hampshire, Washington, Las Vegas, Philadelphia... If I'd never been to a place, she'd tell me how much I'd like it and that Paul and I should try to go there. Paul's dad has a witty, understated sense of humor that takes you by surprise...just like Paul. They are the most adorable couple. Paul's older brother and sister both died in their 30s, each from a different medical condition. Afterward Paul underwent lots of tests and was given a clean bill of health. He gets physicals yearly. Losing two siblings prematurely was a bizarre tragedy, apparently not some sort of genetic defect. You'd think losing two of their three children would make Paul's parents morose or at least somewhat withdrawn. On the contrary, they are cheerful and incredibly warm and friendly. They both kissed me when I left and asked me to come back again soon. I left there feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Now I know where Paul gets it.

Oh yeah...and Paul started the evening by giving me a red rose. I've currently got three vases in use. He spoils me. I love it.