The Poor Foodie's Diary: I Have Won The In-Law Lottery: This Shoberg Life

When you get married it's not just you and your spouse. There are so many other components involved. His friends, your friends, your new couple friends, co-workers from their jobs, and ESPECIALLY……new family.

To some, the term, "in-law" is a terrifying statement because their "new" family comes with lots of baggage and frustrations. To others, it doesn't mean anything because they don't spend any time with them. And still to others it means they've gained a beautiful thing. But to me….I feel that it is in-accurate definition of what I've gained. The term "in-law" simply means the following, "A relative by marriage."

Man, let me tell you that my in-laws blow that meaning out of the water. This family loves deeply. They love passionately. They live life opening themselves to be used by God to welcome others into their home and family! I have seen time and time again how they have blessed old friends, new friends, and completely strangers with their hospitality. The Shobergs welcome people without caveats, expectations, or judgement.

That's EXACTLY how I was welcomed into this mightily awesome clan. The VERY first time I ever met the Shobergs I went in with the warning from my, then, boyfriend Brian, "If my little sister doesn't like you…..we're probably not gonna work out." Granted we weren't even officially dating yet! "OH and I'm really close to my family." No pressure Anna, no pressure.

I walk in the door to this beautiful home with a pole barn out back, giant garden in the front, and even a golden retriever, named Duncan (Could it be more perfect ;) happily greeting this boy, driving me in his car, and I knew…..this was something I would never forget.

His mom….had made me and ENTIRE pan of HOMEMADE cinnamon rolls. We were at a Superbowl lunch…..yea can you tell how lucky I was yet? I think that's the moment I fell in love with this family. His little sister, that I was terrified of for fear of failing her "test", happens to be one of my soul mates in this life of adventure. We hit it off that night and haven't stopped since. We've kayaked together, worked alongside each other at antique shows together, traveled together, and gotten into LOTS of mischief together. His older sister turned out to be a much harder egg for me to crack. (Since I'm extremely loud and ridiculous almost all the time and she happens to be pretty much one of the most gorgeously calm and well spoken/ but tough little cookies I know. I have never had sisters before. And she taught me what it means to do life together with a sister. I have giggled with that girl, talked boy advice with her, and celebrated life's victories with her. Icing on the cake: I will be matron-of-honor in her wedding this fall. (FIST PUMP! YES!)

Mama and Papa Shoberg. Anything I could say about them, the core of this family, wouldn't give ya a clear enough picture. They have loved me like a daughter. No strings, no lines, no holding back. They have opened the door of this family to me. For that, I am forever and always grateful. The Shobergs have changed me. I will never be the same. I will pray every single day of my life that my children's future spouses will feel EXACTLY the way I do about this family.

So if you love the family God waited until a little later in life to give ya….don't be afraid to tell them so.

This post all got started in my brain and my heart this last week as I was walking through the gardens planted by the hands of Mark Shoberg and family. As I picked to my hearts content, the beautiful vegetables grown in love and shared with so many, I realized that this post absolutely needed to happen. 50% of what comes from this garden is shared with others. So….pictures are worth a thousand words…let these pictures give you a tour of the AWESOME garden. Look at the pictures and just imagine how blessed people feel by this family as they walk through picking the fruits of the Shoberg's labor.

Be blessed and bless others greatly!!!