A Letter to my Dear Mother-in-Law

Anne Lisbeth is a one in a million Mother-in-Law (sorry you’ll not find any naughty Mother-In-Law jokes here). She lives in Tromsø (North of Norway) where my husband grew up but she visits us often as she can, enjoying the perfect beaches in sunny Stavanger (South of Norway). When I first met her, I don't know how to call her. Since my son used to call her Bestemor (grandmother), sometimes I also call her that way. But after a year, when she visited us again, I'm starting to feel at ease on calling her Svigermor (mother-in-law). It's her birthday today! :)

Dear Svigermor,

On such an important day I haven't forgotten you and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your hospitality, for the good treatment I have received from your family, for all the conversations we have had. I would also like to congratulate you for the marvelous way in which you have brought your son up, something rarely seen nowadays and I sincerely wish you happiness today and forever.

Please know that there is not a day that goes by without you on my mind. I love and respect you as a woman, a mother, a fellow human being, etc. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for opening your own heart to me. You have an incredible mind and soul which you've so generously shared with me. I am honored and awed... a daughter-in-law, you welcomed into your heart.

Thank you for sharing me your secret recipe on your amazing cream cake, and other very important and delicious cakes. My own mother’s not an avid baker but I love it; there’s something amazing about losing yourself in cake mix, the smell of chocolate cake wafting through the house before feasting on your own creation afterwards… And then feasting a little more..then a little more before realizing you really have lost yourself in cake mix- although ‘losing’ is clearly not the operative word when you get on the scales. Maybe it’s best I don’t have more time to bake.

Thank you for fixing and sorting out things for me. This includes everything from socks to my son's clothes. I’m a bit of disorganized if I’m honest, and on your recent visit, you organized everything for me... now it's easier to find things.

Thank you for Geir. Meeting my husband Geir changes my life. He’s one of the good guys and I know that’s greatly thanks to you and Svigerfar. Geir is a loving, patient and oh so supportive husband and father. Oh yes and he’s also very VERY gorgeous. Thank you Svigermor indeed. Good genes and well brought up. What’s not to love?

Thank you for teaching me to be a better mother, your subtle advice on food (homemade rusks anyone?) to not sweating the small stuff, (I’m a pathological worrier) but you're always brimming with great advice. Seeing your unconditional love for Zander is amazing.

Thank you for always making me feel at home. That it doesn’t matter how far you are from your family, you can still be very close. You always make it a point to call us from time to time.

Thank you for you kindness and support. For being there whenever we need you... for always making me feel like one of the family.

Thank you for taking good care of Zander while Geir and I had a vacation in Italy. That vacation meant a lot for both of us. It helped our marriage grew stronger.

I want you to know that you've made such a difference in my life with your warmth and kindness. You have taken me into your house, into your arms, and into your life with a smile and total acceptance.

Thank you for your friendship and all the times when you've listened and understood.

Thank you for loving me as if I were your own.

Please know how much I love you and how much you really mean to me.

Gratulerer med dagen Svigermor! På bursdagen din, jeg ønsker deg alt godt, men det meste jeg ønsker deg helse, kjærlighet og lykke. Jeg vil alltid være takknemlige for at du åpnet ditt hjerte og la meg i, så en ny familie for meg kunne begynne. Stor klem!

Your Daughter-in-Law,
Shelley