Other-in-laws

Yes, you read that title correctly. It is not a typo.

Often, when a couple is engaged and planning to get married, most people offer warnings about the dreaded "mother-in-law." I have been lucky in this respect, because my mother-in-law is a wonderful woman. She's not without her flaws, of course, but things could certainly be worse!

The thing you are never warned about, however, and the thing to which you have absolutely no control, are the "other-in-laws." I'm talking about the extended family that becomes related through the marriage of one of your in-laws. In my case, my sister-in-law. This group of family is slightly removed, and most of the time you don't even have to deal with them, but, when you do, it is like treading into some crazy, new territory.

This past weekend, I had the extreme pleasure (please note the sarcasm) of attending a birthday cook-out for my sister-in-law's husband. Being that they had reason for celebration as well, the entire group of other-in-laws was there. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm not the most social of beings, so making small talk with these strangers isn't the easiest, and/or most pleasant, thing for me to do. Even so, I tried to make the best of it.

For example, coming up the driveway and into the house, I noticed one of my other-in-laws and her husband signing their card in the car.

My husband and I had just done this ourselves, so I smiled and made the passing comment: "I guess us oldest siblings have the same idea," as I held our card in the air.

I was met with a mostly blank stare.

I just kept walking.

You see, it is things like this that seem to define this set of other-in-laws. With the exception of the other-in-law mother (my sister-in-law's mother-in-law for those of you trying to keep track), they don't like to make any effort to strike up a meaningful conversation. They sort of sit there, talking with each other, and pretend that you aren't even in the same place. Just like my brother-in-law (it must run in the family), the most contact you get is a look and maybe a smirk or smile ... Or a "hello" or "good-bye." Nothing in between. It's this standoff-ish attitude that makes me wonder if they're just shy, too, or if they are actually stuck-up.

Unfortunately, I'm not the type of person to throw caution to the wind and make the first move. Especially after my little comment about card-signing didn't even warrant a smile or a chuckle. I guess only time will tell how our relationships progress ... And as my sister-in-law brings her new baby into the picture, I'm sure we'll have many more opportunities to figure things out.