Later that night, as the music died down and the newlyweds left in a flurry of sparklers and cheers, Caleb came back to hug me one more time.
“Thanks for everything, Mom,” he said into my shoulder. “Not just the wedding. Everything.”
I kissed his cheek. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
“Raise your kids to know the value of family. Not just the convenient kind.”
He nodded. “I will.”
And I believed him.







