Wedding Wednesday: Jesse's Family

So I've told you about how Jesse gets along with my family and our almost disa trip to Louisiana so it's about time I got to telling you how I got along with his family, right?!

Before leaving for Louisiana I had only ever really spoken to his Nanny. I had spoken to his Mom on the phone before a couple of times when Jesse was here, but that was it. His Nanny and I had been emailing each other daily since Jesse was here in December. 

Getting to know his Nanny via email was good because I got to know a little more about what to expect. You see, I love Jesse to death, but he isn't as good as me at blabbing every single little detail - especially as he's never been really close with his family. 

My Mum, Jesse and I were all staying at Jesse's Mom's house and then also spending one weekend in Mississippi with his Nanny. Was I nervous to be staying with Jesse's Mum? You bet your bottom dollar I was! All I could think was "what on earth am I going to do if she hates me and we're stuck there for two weeks", my mum was thinking the exact same thing. 

I had nothing to worry about. Both my Mum and I both got along with Jesse's Mom instantly. Her and my Mum are so much alike it's funny and she is so easy to get along with, Marilyn was the hardest of Jesse's family to say goodbye to because we had gotten along so well for the two weeks we were there. 

Jesse, Me, Charles, Mary and Max the Cockatoo

Those cows meant business

The first weekend we made the one hour three hour drive to Mississippi (Jesse's travel time doesn't include the entire trip, apparently) to stay with his Nanny and Charles. 

The live on what I guess you could call a cattle farm and while we were there I got to tick riding on an ATV off my bucket list as well as getting up close and personal with some mean looking Momma cows. 

We also drove out to New Roads, LA to go to lunch on the river at Morel's. 

We only spent a short time in Mississippi but it was good to spend time with Mary after getting to know her through our emails. As you can see from the photo, Mary has a Cockatoo named Max and another parrot called Pepper. One thing you wouldn't know about me is that I'm terrified of birds - and flying objects in general. I managed to cope, however, and was only really freaked out when the birds were interested in my food and would not leave me alone - apparently birds like fruit and veggies too! 

After our short trip to Mississippi it was back to Louisiana to spend more time with Jesse's Mom and Step Dad John. 

The two youngest girls chilling out in their wagon at the Zoo

Whilst in Louisiana I also got to spend lots of time with Jesse's nieces. The two youngest girls are the sweetest little things and Brittany decided I was her new best friend (much to my delight!) the two older girls were good too, though a little more intense than the younger girls. They wanted to play and ask questions and do things all the time, but luckily I didn't mind too much. Jesse's youngest niece had to go into hospital on the last week were there and his Mom was minding the other three, so I really got to know them while they were there. 

I would've liked to have spent more time with Jesse's sister to get to know her, but of course with the little one sick in hospital she had other more important things to do! 

Us with Jesse's Step Dad, John

While we were in Louisiana I felt like I really got to know Marilyn and John as we spent so much time with them and I was so glad that we stayed with them. There was never any awkwardness and they both got along with my Mum too! I think Jesse even got to develop more of a relationship with his Mom as they haven't really spent too much time together in recent years. I also got to meet Jesse's brother, Josh, a few times and get to spend some time with him when he came over. 

Us with Jesse's PawPaw Buddy

Jesse's PawPaw Buddy reminded me so much of my Pa. His mannerisms, stories and just the way he talked were so familiar. He has already started calling me his granddaughter in-law and I can't tell you how happy that made me. 

Whilst I was in Louisiana, I really felt like my family grew. I didn't want to leave because I wanted to spend more time with them and get to know them even better - but I know that Jesse and I will be back! It is my every hope that Jesse's family would be able to make it to our wedding, though I understand that airfares are incredibly expensive and it's not always possible - so perhaps a Skype feed will be arranged :P I've already told Jesse that I want to make sure we're always saving to go back to Louisiana as I think it's really important to spend time with both of our families. 

I hope that over the years, my relationship with Jesse's family will only grow and develop so that Jesse and I can really feel that we have our family. I'm happy to see that since I was there, Jesse's gotten closer with his family as he's started to realise just how important they are - seeing as family is the most important thing to me. 

So tell me, how do you get along with your partner's family?

also what else would you like to hear about in this series?! 

I don't mind if you leave an anonymous comment with your suggestion or send me an email at southerninlaw@gmail.com - I'd love to know! :)