The morning after Seb got back we had to race off to a baptism in Normandy where Seb was the parrain. The papa is Seb's best friend from his school days so it was very sweet to see that they both have girls less than one year apart. The family is Portuguese and the atmosphere was lively and fun with me and Seb probably being the only non-Portuguese people in the whole room of 40 people. Everyone kept asking me if I was Portuguese too and I thought that was funny and also a nice compliment because the woman are so pretty. I have a Spanish great, great grandmother who I look a lot like and I did feel like I might have fit right into the family.
What struck me the most about our evening was realizing that Seb spent all of his young adult life with the family and a few summers in Portugal with them. The family is the complete polar opposite of his own family and I think I understand now why he gravitated towards them. It was such a relaxing environment and everyone was so friendly. You didn't feel the tension that you feel in his parent's house. It was the same sort of 40 person sit down dinner that I've had with my in-laws dozens of times but it was lighthearted and everyone was interested in me and the kids. It wasn't dreadful and tense but lots of fun. I can see that reality for me is maybe a bit skewed. I think I just have a really strange belle famille.
This whole evening also reminded me that we have to arrange Charlotte's baptism. I don't think we'll do anything on such a grand scale but maybe a small gathering of ten or twelve people. Another baptism in the middle of major renovations? Why the heck not.
3 comments:
What is the table decoration made from, the cone like thingy and more important is it it edible ?
Bet your glad to have hubby back, n'est pas ?
No just wire mesh, non-edible. The table was really pretty--slightly christmas-y.
Yes glad hubs is back.
I love when someone else's family envelopes you as their own. It is such a warm wonderful feeling! Nice.
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