Open-minded -- Gretchen & Chuck Hartlage

Several memorable laughs from that "high brow" day with the Krauses . . . 

Early in Eric and Jenny’s relationship, the Kraus family gathered to play the game “Balderdash.”  This is a word game where you are given words whose definitions only our Mom and Susu might actually know, and you develop fictitious definitions in attempt to bluff the other teams into believing yours is the real definition.

Unbeknownst to we Krauses, Jenny was nervous that evening. Granted, we are a high brow and scholarly crowd, but we were really there for the laughs. She later told me that the jury was still out on Chuck and me that night -- the intimidating big sister and the tall, quiet and soft-spoken Chuck. At one point in the game, Chuck took the reigns on creating our fake definition. I know the word started with an “s” and the definition included “a jackass from Kentucky.”  No one was fooled by our definition, but Jenny reports that that is when she decided we were OK.

If Jenny accepts the intimidating big sister and her husband from Kentucky (who is not a jackass), she is clearly open-minded. Jenny continues to treat us with an open mind and open arms. She also treats our four kids as part of her family. The same openness applies to the rest of the Kraus crew.  Like it or not, Jenny is one of us now.

Chuck and Gretchen