It was loud and boisterous, filled with laughter and drinks, Susan and Sherri threatening the little ones to be sure they behaved in the nice restaurant, toasts and the same stories that got repeated at every gathering. It was chaotic and it was beautiful.

It was my family and it felt just like home.

At one point, I heard a voice behind me saying, "Well Hello there, Young Lady!"

"Uncle Albert!" I threw my arms around Carrie's father. Technically, he is my cousin, but he's also more than two decades my senior, so I've always referred to him as Uncle. He had certainly aged since I'd seen him last; bald...