I have a somewhat typical relationship with my in-laws. They are very nice people but we are extremely different. Among other things, we clash on religion, economic class/lifestyle, political leanings and stuff like how much we trust modern medicine. They are easy to get along with (mostly- my MIL and I are both sort of alpha females so we do have the occasional issue there) but not always the easiest to relate to.

One thing, however, that they have always been great about is how they treat my son. I've been with my partner since he was 4 and he's 11 now. Being perfectly honest I suspect they like my son much, much more than they like me. They have always been warm towards him but especially in the last several years I can tell they are very proud of him/think of him as family. They have pictures of him up in their home, have invited him to go on road trips/short vacations when I can't go, spoil the heck out of him for Xmas and his birthday. They just love having him around too and are disappointed if he's with his dad when they come to visit/we go to them.

So anyways. I was texting my MIL and SIL and the topic of my son's Christmas concert came up. I told them they were welcome to attend, not really expecting anything to come of it. But they immediately jumped at it and now they're coming. This is something my own parents have refused every single year. That doesn't bother me- heck, I'm not a huge fan of attending if we are perfectly honest- but I have to admit I'm pretty touched that they want to go.