Sunday afternoon my mother-in-law, Khun Nui, stopped by the house. For the longest time she had never been over here, then when Elle did the photo shoot she came over. Subsequent to that, she has been a frequent visitor, stopping by whenever her husband is away.
While Tawn’s father is largely operating in extended “don’t ask, don’t tell” mode, Tawn’s mother knows what’s going on and seems pretty happy to have me as a son-in-law. Although there are occasional moments when I think she’s holding out hope that Tawn will change his mind.
She made a comment the other day about another member of the their extended family having a wedding and how Tawn wasn’t getting married, to which I responded that we could go ahead and have a wedding for the family. She shot me a look that was one part “you’re crazy” and another part “what are you talking about?”
Two summers ago, Tawn and his parents went to Italy to visit the family for whom Khun Nui had worked as an au pair for two years before Tawn was born. Khun Nui has remained in touch with Joanna, the Italian mother, and her oldest two children whom Khun Nui helped raise.
The oldest of these children will be married this July and the plan is for Tawn to take his parents back to Italy to attend the wedding, possibly extending it into a two week trip to see more of Europe.
This is a very Thai thing: older parents do not go off on holiday without their children accompanying them. Much in the way that in years past farmers gave birth to many children in order to have a supply of labor on the farm, nowadays Thai parents have children in order to have a supply of tour leaders, travel agents, and porters when going on holiday.
While we canceled our Spring trip back to the US because of cost overruns on the condo remodel, Tawn’s father will pick up his costs for the Europe trip, so it shouldn’t be much of a burden. With a few weeks free, maybe I should scrape up a few baht and fly back to the US and enjoy some peaches, nectarines, and beefsteak tomatoes!
christao408 
I think you and Tawn should have a wedding in Bangkok. You already did it in the states, I think Dick and I would find a way to be there. I’ll even help with the favors! Seriously.
I’m all for a wedding too. You know I’m happy to help too!
FYI, I’ll be planting beefsteak tomatoes in a week. Along with brandywine tomatoes, copia tomatoes and a couple more varieties… any requests?
I notice Tawn resembles his smiling mom…so cute! No wonder I always notice huge families of Thai people go on a trip all at once…so interesting. Hey, Jin is waiting for you here!
Hmm… I wonder, when will Thailand legalize gay marriage?
Khun Nui should be quite proud to have you as a son-in-law… and you should have a wedding ceremony, whether it’s a “crazy” idea or not. Interesting about Thai parents bringing along their adult children on vacation. Will you go along as well?
My big fat Thai wedding.
Yes! You guys should have a wedding and make sure you have it before September this year so I can attend before we move to Australia. I know, selfish reasons, but hey, having a wedding might make things more legit in Tawn’s parent’s minds. You’ll never know! Maybe they feel cheated that you guys got married in the States but never bothered to have one Thailand.
Yeah. Have that big fat Thai Wedding like Elusive Words says. Take the inlaws to the Church or the Judge or wherever, and say…” surprise ! Now you will get to see us married, again, and that way you never have to wonder if Tawn will ever get married “!!! And then have a big reception and invite all your friends.
Hope you get to come home this year. Your parents and family will feel so wonderful having you home.
Hehe, Tawn’s mom is so cute! I’m glad that she accepts you for the most part. That is the greatest! My dad and Tawn’s dad should form a support group. LOL!
@tehls – The way things are going in Oz, maybe we’ll move there to get married!
@euphorie – No, I won’t go along. That wouldn’t work very well as Tawn’s father and I don’t occupy the same physical space at the same time.
@alextebow – Actually, I may be heading the US for a few weeks in the second half of July and a stop in LA is likely so make sure there are some tomatoes!
@ToyPetFishes – Thirty or forty years from now. No direct oppression or discrimination takes away the friction necessary to agitate for change.
We’re all for marriage between any two people who want to build a life together, regardless of gender. When are we going to get over this controversy and move on to important concerns like world peace, reducing hunger, healing the sick, etc?