Andy and I spent Thanksgiving Day in Coon Valley, Wisconsin with my the extended family on my mom’s side. It was lots of fun. In the evening, they had a shower for me and Andy. Andy’s parents even came to it. That’s where my relatives played a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad (but hilarious) trick on me. They asked everyone to bring a gift that cost no more than $1.00. Everyone was in on the trick except for me and Andy. We got gifts such as a used rap video, a bag of assorted soaps (including 1/2 used bars in plastic baggies), etc. I tried my best to be grateful. It was hard. My relatives (especially my mom) were laughing like crazy. I felt bad because people were laughing at the presents given by others. But, at one point, while holding up a gift, I had to use the gift as a shield while I laughed myself. At some point, I realized that the gifts were so disappointing so I asked Andy to open them. My sister leaned over to me after I had opened about half the presents and said, “These are awful.” I said, “Shhh. They’re fine.” I also heard a cousin say, “I feel bad for Jessi.” I thought I wasn’t being grateful enough, so I tried to pick it up. I just remember how relieved I was when my aunt said that those were not my real presents. I think I started laughing and crying at the same time.