Meet the Fockers

It's official.

I'm one site audit, one set of time sheets and a few hours away from freedom. Holiday freedom that is.

I consider myself one of the lucky ones in that each year, my office is closed between Christmas and New Years. The exact dates change every year based on what day of the week the holidays fall on, but this year we're off starting tomorrow through Wednesday January 2nd. It's nice getting "built-in time off" to spend with family at the holidays. Especially when you're in a relationship (newly so or old pros) because it gives you ample time to hang with both sets of family and no one gets all "but you were only here for 4.25 hours and I TOTALLY know you were there for longer" on you. That's the worst.

So, this year I'm heading down to North Carolina with the boy and his family for a week of southern-loving-christmas-having-all-out-family-fun. I'm excited but let's be real, it's my first time meeting this side of the extended family (i've conquered the parents already) and that knocks everyones nerves a little bit. Lucky for me (and everyone involved) I'm not afraid of wine....or gin.

Saturday morning bright and early we're loading into a van with boy's mom, dad, sister and sister's friend for a pain(ful)less 8-hour-all-day-my-leg-is-cramping-I-have-to-pee-I'm-hungry-you-stole-my-arm-rest-no-stopping-let's-get-there-before-dark car ride to the Outer Banks.  Are we there yet?

I'm usually pretty adaptable in any situation and have had my fair share of awkward relationship-family trips. The highlights include an extended family who wasn't down with my faith (and by down I mean they hated it), deer hunting on the regs (I hate guns), and three nights (in a row) on an air mattress with other family members inches from my head. And guess what? I survived. See, told you I was tough.

Yes, meeting the family is always a gamble. How will it go? Will they like me? What if I don't fit in? and is often sprinkled with "I'm-starving-but-we-already-ate-I-should've-packed-snacks" "I-really-need-to-pee-and-cousin-it-has-been-in-the-bathroom-for-an-hour" moments but in the end- it's worth it, even if you sleep on an air mattress.

This year, with my best friend, in a relationship where things are going better than ever, I'm certain it will be wonderful and I'm (gasp!), even excited.

I'm looking forward to spending my built-in-time-off exploring the Outer Banks, a place that means the world to the boy and his family, sharing in their family traditions, and meeting the people who mean the most to the person who means the most to me.

See, I can do sarcastic and loving all at once. Who knew?

Happy holidays blogofollowers. See you next year, a little older, a little wiser, and with a few more aunts & uncles under my belt!