Snoopy Kind of Love

What 50 Years of Playful Partnership Taught me About Family

The first time Dave brought me to meet his family was at their annual Thanksgiving reunion. By then, Michael and Dede had already built 37 years of life together. It wasn’t an intimate, quiet dinner — quite the opposite.

I walked into a full house with a symphony of voices:

“Welcome!” from the hallway.

“You made it!” from the entrance.

“Look who’s here!” echoing from the family room.

Football played on the TV, snacks and wine crowded every counter space, and people moved in every direction — from the kitchen to the living room to the basement. Controlled chaos. And yet, beneath all of it, I could sense the choreography of a family that knew exactly how to move together.

My nervousness went away almost instantly. There was joy, warmth, tradition, and a kind of effortless connection I had never quite seen before.

Over the years since, I’ve had the privilege of watching the love that keeps them strong — gentle and grounded, yet always playful. It’s what I call a Snoopy kind of love: heartfelt, humorous, and never too serious to dance on the roof when life calls for celebration.

I didn’t start my relationship with Dave alone. I was welcomed into his family and circle of friends — into a model of love that isn’t just felt but practiced: in conversations, in support, in boundaries, and in laughter shared across generations.

Michael, especially, has a natural way of holding people together. As a psychologist, he smooths out conflicts not by forcing resolution, but by listening with empathy and adding just the right dose of humor when tension fills the air. He tells stories that light up the room. He creates space for everyone to feel seen — especially those who are new, like I once was.

Oh, and did I mention? Michael is a true Peanuts fan. With Dede’s full support, they own the entire collection of books. We even wore matching Snoopy T-shirts in a family photo once. Their 50th anniversary celebration was Snoopy-themed, too — because why not honor a partnership built on loyalty, delight, and shared joy?

They also have a victory song — a silly, simple, wonderful tune Michael invented to celebrate small wins. It’s one of the many ways they stay close, reminding all of us that joy deserves attention — especially the everyday kind.

Watching Michael and Dede navigate life and relationships — with each other, with their family, and with their friends — has been one of the great gifts of my own life.

Fifty years together isn’t just about time. It’s about choosing each other, every day, through every season — with a love that makes room for everyone around them.

And I’m grateful to be one of the people in that room.