I met this family when I was a shy, awkward teenager. They embraced me and immediately made me feel like one of the family. I fell in love with them all: “Tamale” (Tom & Mollie), the older girls, my best friend Marea, and beautiful Michael. To this day I remember them with great fondness and warmth. No, they weren’t perfect, but they lived! And I felt lucky to be a part of the rollicking, roller-coaster ride of their adventures.