People had warned her about this. When she first got engaged friends half-jokingly told her that when you marry into a rich family they expect more than their share of face time in exchange for more than their share of support. Yael had dismissed this; she was so close to her family! Besides everyone knew that it was the girl’s family that got to spend the most time with grandchildren. And yet somehow her friends’ warnings had borne out. Partly because coming to her parents meant squeezing their family into a cramped room and displacing some of her siblings. And partially because she felt bad putting the burden of hosting them on her mother who worked full-time and then some. Whereas her mother-in-law had a live-in housekeeper and a whole wing of the house to offer their family. ">

Still when Ephraim had relayed the invitation she’d put her foot down and insisted it was high time they visited her family for a change. Now Yael closed her eyes for a moment basking in the lively chatter among her siblings at her sisters fawning over Sruli and Simi at the way Ephraim slid so easily into the lomdus being discussed by her father and brothers. She glanced over at him and saw the enjoyment on his face. He too was glad to be here she realized. ">

Why was she so surprised? Back when they were engaged he’d been delighted at marrying into her family. ">

“You don’t know how lucky you are” he’d told her. “Growing up in such a special family. When your father walks in the door there’s a certain atmosphere he carries along with him.”