Modern Family

The American family of today has changed a plenty over the years, and what laughingly often comes to mind is the show "Modern Family."  Now, if you haven't seen it, I must first say you are truly missing out.  It perfectly embodies the true, modern family.  There is the original dad (played by whom I will always think of as Al Bundy from "Married With Children"), and he is married to the hottest young thing since Zsa Zsa Gabor.  No, really...she's played by Sofia Vergara, who is THE hottest Latina EVER.  Which...brings me to the rest of the family.   Jay (aka Al Bundy) has two children, Claire and Mitchell.  Mitchell is gay and has a life partner, the ever hilarious Cam, and their adopted baby, Lily.  Then there's Claire and her husband Phil, along with three children Haley, Alex, and Luke.  O, and with my distraction regarding Ms. Vergara I forgot to mention her son from the previous marriage, Manny.  Basically, you get the picture.  It's a melting pot of a family.  But they do an amazing job of taking what can be a very difficult, uncomfortable situation and making it into something truly hilarious. 

We all know life isn't always like that.  Coming from a mixed family (describing myself like that makes me feel like some sort of doggie mix, ok...I can handle that) can be...hmm...confusing?  Interesting?  WEIRD.  Let me give a little background, and I promise, I'll keep it brief. 

My parents were married for 27 years before they divorced in 2003.  December 26th, the day after Christmas.  Santa, hello?  Where the heck were you?  Just kidding.  Well, from there, I will just say my parents did not part amicably.  On May 27th, my mother's birthday, it was done.  Felt like a lifetime, but in divorce land...that was like a rocket ship!  Well, fast forward to Thanksgiving of my freshman year of college, approximately 6 months later.  I receive a distress call from my older brother, "Mom's married."  Huh?  Basically, out of the "odd" situation my mother married my now step dad without telling us...for 6 months.  Needless to say, I was NOT happy.  However, nearly 10 years later, I have a step sister that is amazing with a baby that is such a joy to have as a part of my life, a step brother that I can call not only my sibling, but my college buddy, and I have my step dad.  I have a man I truly, utterly wanted to hate.  I made one horrific, terrible, out-of-character phonecall to cuss this man out, and that was it. 

Before I continue there, I do need to say (my husband feels this is probably necessary), but i am a very easily forgiving person.  I hate having hatred in my heart, so forgiveness is a big part the healing process for me.  That said, when I met Danny, we just clicked.  He's me in man form.  And maybe that's why my mom and him get along so well and their marriage has been so successful.  They are a better fit.  I love my daddy to pieces.  I love my momma to pieces.  They were the worst fit possible in the book that is labeled marriage.  So they took it modern style...and married the RIGHT people. 

Yea...I know I'm being all pseudo modernistic person here by saying "Peace, Love, and Divorce," but that's really not what I mean.  I'm simply saying this:  we live in a modern world whether we like it or not.  Whether I divorce my own husband does not mean that my very own family will not be affected.  My husband has ZERO "modern" family on his side.  I brought it all.  Yep. It all came from the "crazy" side.  I'm just saying that you need to accept.  Accept that family.  Through acceptance I have made my best adult male friend outside of my husband:  my step dad, Danny.  Acceptance has brought me this amazing friend/sister that comes in the shape of my dad's fiance, Lisa (whom I adore, btw).  Acceptance has given my dad a new vitality with 2 what-will-be step sons aged 7th grade and sophomore, while his youngest "natural" child (me) is 27.  Acceptance. Forgiveness.  Love. 

It's so funny how these words can change entire families.  Maybe we don't make it as hilarious as "Modern Family,"  but I think we reap all the benefits and more.  Even if we didn't get the hot Latino we got Lisa...my daddy's hot, blonde fiance who is just as fiesty and a Southern accent is always better ;-)