There were six of us in our small kitchen. Mark is at the sink in charge of the ice cream maker. Christi, who has never made homemade ice cream is standing at the cabinet watching while Mark puts in ice and Seth adds the salt. It isn't long until she has worked her way over and is doing Seth's job for him. It's okay, he's already lost interest and doesn't mind that she is helping. Emily is helping add ice now. Levi wanders in and out, ice cream is old hat for him and besides he is busy grilling the pork chops.
I'm frying okra, getting ready to put the corn on the cob that Levi and I shucked into the big pot to boil. I've already sliced up a couple of big beefsteak tomatoes and an onion. The table is set. We opened a bottle of wine but no one likes it and it get poured down the drain. The ice cream maker is running smoothly, not needing much attention. Mark looks over at me, wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in for a hug. He whispers in my ear..

"Look what we've done in 24 years."

"Yeah, we've made a family." I reply.