Boyfriends

This was the second Snow family Christmas that included Hayley's boyfriend.  Even more impressive, Jake, the boyfriend, attended the surprise birthday/wedding and was subjected to meeting many relatives.  That is no easy feat and he muddled his way through quite nicely.  Luckily, he already knew Hayley's cousins so he had support, but still, no easy feat.
I remember when Danny started coming around to family functions.  We were this ridiculous pair with cool 80s hair.  I don't recall my family going too easy on him either, in my family, you either hold your own or get out of the way.  Danny held his own.  He joined in the badminton games, gave out hugs, loved my mom's cooking (which was pretty easy to do!).  Danny was the first boyfriend that I brought home or that went to family get togethers.  I remember one night being the designated driver for my brother.  Dickie was pretty drunk.  At some point in the evening, Dickie slapped me in the forehead and told me he gave Danny his seal of approval.  That hurt and meant a lot.    
Now the story repeats itself with Hayley and Jake.  The family dynamics are a little different, but the expectation is the same.  We expected Jake to hold his own or get out of the way and he usually held his own.  Jake is figuring out how we work and is making himself at home around here.
Jake has now been around for year and a half or so.  He loves Ashlyn and Jacob.  He understands the peculiar ways of Harlow.  He treats Hayley with kindness.  He has great 2011 hair.  And now, he has successfully made it through two Snow family Christmas's.  The boy is alright!