Being a Richards

There are so many reasons why I feel lucky to be one, the greatest of which being my friendship with my sister-in-law, which just seems to get better every time I'm with her...the affection I am able to muster for my father-in-law when he's driving too fast and almost kills us all...and the basic fact that no matter what, we always seem to have a good time.

But after this last weekend, I'm reminded of one of the greatest aspects of life in the Richards clan...laughter. I am, without fail, someone who loves to laugh. I'm almost always laughing...and most people know I'm near when they hear my horribly high-pitched, piercing, yet hearty bellow. This is likely because I grew up around funny people.
And so, as luck would have it, I've found more reasons to laugh by being a Richards. Yes, sometimes the reasons aren't supposed to be funny...and the sheer humor I find in them are just an example of the ways in which we cope with things we don't always understand (uukayy?!?--that was for you, Denise:) ).
But most of the time, I'm laughing because I'm having a damn good time. Each of my in-laws makes me laugh in ways that are new...which...is AWESOME.

I won't go into how funny Kathy can be...and almost always when she doesn't realize it.
Dave, Kath, Denise...and now Paul...they all have their own magical way of making me spit beer out of my nose.
Or wine.
Or sangria.

And so, to honor the most recent addition to the Richards clan...I would like to share with you (drumroll)...my brother-in-law, Paul. Since he joined the family, I know I've been laughing harder...and more often.