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molefriendly wrote:

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To Whom it May Concern:
I am Brenda Lambrechts sister, and Marks sister-in-law, and I can confirm that her being able to stay home with the kids has been a dream of hers for a long time. I think it is great that Mark wanted to give that to her as a gift. My husband would love to do that too, but for us it is not a possibility. Realistically though the $420,000 will end up being around $200,000 after taxes and may possibly be able to let her "not work" maybe until the new baby makes it to kindergarden, and the two older girls are out of the home at college. Most likely she will return to "work" at some point.

I know that she was "in shock" when he was revealed as the winner, and he told her why he wanted to win. It was a lot to process emotionally, on national TV, in front of everyone...including her employers. It was something they had dreamed of and suddenly it was coming true (at least for a while). I am sure that the fact that her boss was watching ran through her mind, as well as the fact that it would probably be just for a few years. Remember, she has worked more than one job at a time her entire life, and this will be a big change for her (one that she will enjoy) but never the less a big change.

Indeed the day she returned to work (her main job) after the finale her employers asked her what she was going to do, and she is staying until the end of September (unless the baby comes early) giving them time to hire someone for her position and her to train. They were incredibly gracious about the whole situation. Many employers would have been a lot less understanding.

I don't know if you have ever had a "big surprise" or not, but I know that everyone responds differently to those kinds of things...I actually get very quiet when I am very happily surprised by something. Others jump and down and scream. Brenda was Brenda, and I know that she is very happy that something they have dreamed of is coming true, but change is not always easy, even if it's good. So please give her and Mark a break.

This whole string is absolutely ridiculous. People are giving a family they don't even know grief because they didn't get the classic, formulaic, ridiculous, contrived, over-the-top reaction that we so often see on reality tv? You shouldn't have to post a defense of Mark. The criticism he and his wife are receiving here is childish and inane.

It is abundantly clear that Mark loves his wife dearly. Is is quite clear that she loves him as well. This speculation that he was giving her something she might not want and the implication that he is being sexist by having her stay home is patently ridiculous. You don't know these people. There is absolutely no doubt that a couple who has been together as long as they have has discussed the very scenario Mark is now able to provide, many times.

I'm all for giving players shit about game play, mistakes, how dorky they look, failures, etc. It's part of the package. But this petty, pathetic, mean-spirited garbage is beyond the pale (especially when the target is the family member of a player who didn't sign up for any of this crap).

Mark was the best player. He played a fantastic game. He is a smart, kind and giving man, in a very loving relationship, which makes him more than just the winner of this season's Mole. I wish him and his wife nothing but the best.

TM