Happy 90th Birthday, Grandpa Abbey!

On Saturday, over 100 people gathered to celebrate Derrick’s Grandpa Abbey’s 90th birthday.

It was quite the event. Family traveled in from literally all over the country to be a part of this momentous occasion. (Side note: did you know that “monumentous” is not a word? It doesn’t exist! The word you’re thinking of turns out to be “momentous”. End side note.) It was so fun to see cousins & extended family members that we haven’t seen in years (it’s been something like 5 years since we saw some of Derrick’s New York cousins? How does that even happen? Insane).

I almost feel unqualified to write anything about Derrick’s family & Grandparents. Meaning, of everyone, I have been a part of the Abbey family the least amount of time (I mean, except Braelynn, technically she wins the “newest Abbey” title). Derrick & I have been married for 7 years and have known each other for 9, but it still seems like nothing compared to the memories & stories cherished by the family.

Yet, as much as I feel unqualified to write about Grandma & Grandpa Abbey, I feel like I am equally the most qualified person.
Let me explain:

You don’t have to be around the Abbey clan long to feel the love and strong ties that bind this family together. Seriously, sit in a room with Derrick’s Grandparents for 15 minutes and you instantly get a sense for the deep deep well of love and appreciation that is there. As an “outsider” – someone who has married into the family – they have accepted me without hesitation, embraced me with open arms, and made me instantly feel like an “insider”. Even though I’ve only known them for a few years, they feel like my own Grandparents whom I’ve known & loved my entire life. They’re just that special.

And on Saturday it was so easy to see that love in the vehicle after vehicle, family after family, covered dish after covered dish that arrived and kept arriving all afternoon on Saturday. They obviously haven’t just loved & accepted me, they’ve tossed that love around like confetti and touched so many lives around them.

Grandparents are an absolute precious piece of life.
We’re so blessed to have not only my Mom’s Mom & Dad’s parents close by, but all four of Derrick’s Grandparents as part of our lives. And celebrating Derrick’s Grandpa’s 90th birthday on Saturday was so much fun!