SISTER-IN-LAW

Happy birthday to the woman our family acquired through marriage without anybody checking whether she understood the full consequences. You arrived as somebody’s partner and quickly became my co-conspirator, emergency ally and preferred witness during family disagreements. Technically, we aren’t related by blood, but you know everybody’s faults, understand the politics of the group chat and can identify an approaching argument from the way somebody puts down a teaspoon. You’ve fitted into the chaos so perfectly that it’s becoming difficult to remember when you weren’t part of it. You may be my sister through paperwork, but the sarcasm, judgement and shared eye contact are completely genuine. Love you, Sister-in-Law. You poor cow x