this is what crazy looks like. and love. lots of love.

photos taken from my cousin amanda's wedding. 

You guys. I love my family. Not in a creepy way... okay, yes. In a totally creepy way. Every time we're together, I walk away feeling like I'm the luckiest. And now that everyone's older and spread out, we're usually only together at weddings. My bcf [best cousin friend] Teresa's husband, Seany, tells this story about my mom's side of the family - the Plemels - and his first experience with us at a wedding dance. And after you read it, you'll probably be glad they belong to me. 

As background, you should know that wedding dances showcase the Plemels in their best form. It's basically our natural habitat. We spend the time together telling each other how much we love our family, hugging, and laughing in the same cackle laugh (which makes us laugh even more...like a waterfall of witches or something...it's really kind of scary, now that I think about it). 

But, really. The story: Sometime before they were married - whether it be dating or betrothed (so fancy) - Teresa brought Sean to a family wedding. 

Anyway. My Uncle Greg - a tall, slim farmer with a bold laugh and great dance moves (oh! the dance moves!) - is already out on the floor dancing to some slow song. When that song was over, the DJ started blasting some ridiculously Midwest wedding dance-y song like Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy. 

I know, the sheer thought of it is... well, it's something.

Upon hearing this leg-slapping tune, my uncle looks around on the floor for familial support. I mean, really, it's time to boogie, right? But no one is really there. So he turns to the side of the room where our family is catching up, puts his hands up to his mouth and, like the territorial calls of the gibbons (look it up), yells "PLEMEEEEELLLLL!" First: silence, no movement, no sound. Second: all the Plemels, after recognizing what has just happened, like the monsters on Michael Jackson's Thriller video - are seen slowly turned our heads in unison toward the dance floor. Then, without question, the Plemels migrated to the floor. Literally all Plemels. 

It happened instantly, Sean said. Like a flash mob...getting their groove on with air guitars, hoots & hollers, hokey pokeys and God knows what else. 

To be honest, I think that story is pretty definitive of what we're like as a family: We're crazy. And we wouldn't trade being crazy together for anything. And that's love. Am I right? 

I'm totally right.

The Weepies - Be My Thrill