I have been very fortunate not only in whom I married but also with the parents that are part of the deal. Both my father-in-law, David Elow, and mother-in-law, Barbara Elow, are very special people.
Both of my daughters have had many valuable moments with both of them, especially as the daughters have become young adults; something I never had growing up having met my only surviving grandparent only one time. My father-in-law has provided me with great and useful, and sometimes necessary, business and life advice during my checkered personal history.
But here is the thing, my father-in-law has historically been a pretty buttoned-down personality. Serious. Adult. Appropriate. Sort of the anti-me.
Except for his long-time desire to own an MG. Years ago, he bought one, which he took great pride in, but after some number of years he sold it.
Evidently however owning an MG stayed on his mind. So recently he decided to get another one. He found one that was owned by a Bellingham WA engineer. This engineer had himself bought a used MG and spent four years and thousands of dollars to rework the engine and restore the car.
About two years ago, my wife told me that the universe as we know it had changed, because she had just been friended by her father on Facebook. And this week, her father, that button-down guy, bought his new, replacement MG from an engineer who lived in Bellingham WA. He had just driven the car from Charleston, the delivery point, to Hilton Head SC where they live.
He bought the car on eBay.
On eBay!!
The kicker is the reason the engineer decided to sell the MG he had worked on for four years, investing more money than the car actually cost. He said he was getting too old for the car. He is 83.
My father-in-law was born in 1927.
David continues to provide me and my family with valuable life lessons.