Family Obligations

I know, I am posting 2 days in a row. Can you stand it?!

Okay, so you know I over think things, right? Make way too much of every little decision. So here's my issue today. We got invited to a wedding, the whole crew.

Now let me try to explain. The bride is my SIL's step-daughter. My SIL's has been married to the 2nd husband (super creepy guy but I won't go into that now) for about 8 years. In that time we have met/seen said bride-to-be maybe 3 times. I personally have spoken all of 20 words to the girl. When we got the invitation the youngest asked, "who's that?" When us girls went to the shower (yes, we got invited to that too and we went) the youngest asked, "which one is getting married?" She then proceeded to tell everyone at the shower, "I don't even know the bride."

Now I know some blended families blend together really well and I think that is great but that is not the case here. I am really not sure why we got invited. I would not have been offended in the least. I would completely understand. If she felt the need to invite the us, I certainly wouldn't expect her to invite the children too. The kicker is the kids have a big shindig that same night. Now a family wedding is certainly a good enough excuse for missing the shindig but can we use the shindig as an excuse for missing the wedding? I keep thinking we could just go to the wedding and skip the reception...IDK...that doesn't feel right either. You would think a nice dinner and party would be enough of an attraction for me but, frankly, it's not.

I know if we go (and we probably will) we will have a fine time. Our children will be on their best behavior and look completely adorable. I will look smokin' hot in the new dress I will have to buy. The hubby will look dashing in his coat and tie. We will get to spend time with the other family members that are wondering the same thing I am (Why did we get invited?). We will get home late and have an excuse for skipping church on Sunday.

But there is another thing way in the back of my mind. If we go, do we in turn have to invite them when our children get married? I know, that's a pretty bad thing to think, isn't it? But really, she is the oldest of 3 girls so it is setting a precedent for future obligations. Or maybe it is not about obligation at all and we should just do what we want.