One of the most difficult things about moving to Le Petit Village was leaving my family.
I have an amazing family, love my family. And I’m not talking about just the nuclear, I love my entire family, the whole kit and kaboodle; aunts, uncles, their spouses, and dozens upon dozens of cousins. We’re tight like peanut butter and jelly and I wouldn’t trade them for the entire Louise Vuitton luggage collection (that’s saying a lot).
You can’t pick your family, you’re pretty much stuck. But if I had the choice, I would still pick each and everyone of their crazy selves to fill my posse.
They’re not perfect (show me a family that is, besides the Kardashians of course), they can be harsh and judgemental, but always out of love, and no matter what, they always have my back. Anytime, day or night, I know that I can call anyone of them to help me move a body if so required (not that that’s ever happened, I’m jut saying).
It’s been difficult at times living in my new country without that safety net of love and dysfunction. Sure I’ve got The Boyfriend’s family but it’s kind of hard to form a bond with the language barrier (note to self: learn how to say, “Please help me move this body” in French).
But on Birthweek Day 4 (Sunday) I think I got a little closer to having a safety net here…
Papa’s Wife had asked us over for a drink to celebrate my birthday. I wasn’t really looking forward to heading out in the cold for a drink especially after all the beer and the sake at the Chinese (I’m not as young as I used to be), but I wasn’t going to say no, after all, there might be a present there for me, and I love those.
We arrived a little past noon and not only was there a present waiting for me…
inside a cheese board (needed one) and a pasta serving dish
But a surprise party too!
Ok, not a party per se, but a surprise lunch just for me.
Now dig this sweetness and get ready to say awww…
The Boyfriend, knowing how close my family is and how we all pow-wow for birthdays, knew that I would be missing them, so he asked Papa’s Wife to throw together a little something for me. And she did. A lovely lunch with my new French family.
Papa was there, Boyfriend’s Brother, his girlfriend, and dog Python…
Python, not Boyfriend’s Brother
And the Portuguese neighbor (not exactly sure how he fits in the mix but he does look like he has some body moving experience).
She went all out, even buying me my very own bottle of Tabasco because she knows I like to throw it on everything.
nothing says love like Tabasco
And Papa’s Wife’s 82 year old mother baked me a cake…
pay no attention to the candles on the cake, I don’t
And after the aperitifs, main course, cheese course, dessert, and digestives, The Boyfriend and I stayed to watch the France vs Scotland rugby match, and played a little ourselves…
Me, totally kicking The Boyfriend’s a** (notice Python as referee)
It was a perfect birthday surprise.
Not only did I get a new cheese board, pasta serving dish, and bottle of Tabasco,
but I got a new family too.
Now all together…
…awww
bisou
It's Me, Sara Louise 
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