Last minute invites are the best, aren't they? We had been talking about what to do this year for New Year's Eve because we had the kid with us and we aren't big party people anymore. A couple years ago, yes, now not so much. Sort of family but not really - LT feels like family more than actual family, that's for sure. LT invites us over for dinner and games, it's perfect! Her kids and the boy are like cousins. This is going to be perfect!
We arrive and we are greeted by the most wonderful hugs and salutations! It is always a pleasure being around LT. She has a loving and positive energy that is so welcoming. We start socializing, introducing ourselves to new people and asking where we can help. LT is heavily involved in her church and almost always invites the fellowship to join her in whatever it is. She's lovely and the friends are just as lovely. Great energy, lots of laughter.
Until.....
My boyfriend's brother, ML, and his wife, LSL, show up. The look on LSL's face was just priceless. She never is one to be friendly so I knew to expect that she wouldn't want to socialize but the look when she saw us, holy mother! You would have thought we just committed a crime. Well, maybe us being at her sister's house felt like a crime to her but that's another long story for later. This girl is a ball of negative energy and her own family feels it.
I'll skip her and her back-handed comments and dirty looks, just know they were ever present as always. Fast forward.
I met some interesting people. One young teenager was angry, walking around staring at everyone with these deep glares. It is no wonder that LSL began talking to him, she felt that pull like a magnet, I suppose. He was just so angry though. You could feel that anger. She got him to play the guitar for everyone. He seemed to calm a bit, maybe he just needed that attention. He later came and played the guitar for me and asked me to guess what song he was playing. He explained his anger (teen angst, battles with authority) and it made sense in a way. I remember being in that awkward stage where you feel like you don't fit in.
There was a pastor cooking food. He was a very nice man. We laughed and he gave me pointers on how to cook prime rib. He had been a caterer. Another couple talked to me and shared the story of their son, well soon to be son, they are adopting him. The story made my heart hurt. The child was born to a drug addicted mother, no father, and just extreme conditions that would make anyone cringe. It is no wonder he has abandonment issues.
We met so many people. All the while, LSL just had these incredibly mean looks as she watched us socialize. I did go in and talk to her specifically, tried to engage in good conversation, even shared a secret to make her feel better about talking to me. I don't think her problem is with me so much as it is my boyfriend. All the same, she just can't stand him or the fact that we were there.
When I had talked to LT, she made it clear that we have been away too long trying to avoid the discomfort from LSL, and that it was her home and she was inviting us. I had taken almost a year to the day off from engaging in social activities with her just because LSL had such a problem with it.
What would you have done?
It was a fun night, there were games. good food, great conversations, and laughter in abundance. Around 11ish we decided we would go home. We arrived at home in time to change, get comfy, watch some of New Year's Rocking Eve, and then watch the ball drop. Of course, the kiss at midnight.
All in all, it was a good New Year's Eve. Out with the old, in with the new, right?