Cowboy’s dad is also known as Papaw, Dad and the patriarch of our clan. But I call him Pops and most importantly, he is the BEST father-in-law a girl could have!

I ask him how he’s doing and he always responds with “I’m nearly perfect” and I always laugh!

In my early months of dating Cowboy we were asked to have lunch at his parents house.  I had only been there a couple of times for dinner and the menu usually consisted of casual food; hamburgers, bbq etc (my favorites).  I had said to Cowboy “I’m wearing jeans since it’s casual”.  He quickly responded “ok, but it’s Sunday and we’re having lunch.”  Umm Okayyy I say to myself, I wonder why he said it like that? Its Sunday lunch, should I wear something Sunday-ish?  So I decided to change into a Sunday summer dress instead.  We arrive at their house and as we’re walking up to the front door, Pops opens it and says “Tamara (my nickname) I like your dress, did you buy that new?”  I say to him, “no I dug it out of the trash, not sure who put it there.”  He laughed and invited us in.

(I knew the only way to keep up with this guy was to be quick witted).

Their house consisted of 2 dining rooms, 2 living rooms and plenty of bedrooms.  I always got confused as to where the den was but that’s another story!  I walked into the kitchen to give Kevin’s mom a hug and asked if I could help her with anything.  She said for me to set the dinner rolls on the table. I walked into dining room #1 since that’s where we have eaten before and realized the table was empty.  I walked into dining #2 and see a table with perfectly arranged china, silver, candles and linen napkins (Martha Stewart would be very proud).  My mother-in-law definitely knows how to set a table!  Elegant, classy and beautiful, just as I’ve always thought of her.

I’ll confess that once we sat down to eat I became a little nervous. Nervous because I could not for the life of me remember which knife I should use to butter my dinner roll, I had 3 to choose from.  (I seriously thought that Cowboy’s brother had set the table and was playing a joke on me, he’s such a jokester).  Choosing the right fork and keeping my elbows off the table… no problem (my parents instilled in us good table manners). But that darn knife!  After debating I finally chose one, buttered my roll, as I went to put it back on my plate I somehow knocked it out of my hand and watched that sucker roll (literally) off my plate, onto my Sunday summer dress and plopped right on to the carpet (butter and all).   Sensing my nervousness, Pops said “Don’t worry about that, I do it all the time. Do you want another roll?” I say “yes, please”. He grabs a roll, sticks his thumb through it and flung it at me!  FLUNG IT AT ME! Everyone started laughing, I looked at Cowboy and said “Is this your typical Sunday lunch?” He said “pretty much”.  I knew from that moment Pops & I we’re going to get along just fine!

Here’s to hoping that one day you’ll be as blessed as me to get a thumb in your roll:)

’til next Sunday y’all- Tammy