2260 Miles
from Philadelphia over the Atlantic Ocean
11:37pm ECT
(Philadelphia)
There has
been so much going on my life that I don’t really know where to start.
I left for
the USA to visit old and meet new friends. What I didn’t know that I would also
meet new family.
I arrived
in Indiana and met up with my dear friend Colleen. It was like I hadn’t really
left. We talked deep into the night. We went to see our old friend Sofiya’s
exhibit, which both of us loved.
The next
night 2 of the Weiss men came by on their way home. It was great seeing them.
At midnight I picked Victor up from the
airport. We missed each other terribly and were very happy to be with each
other again. That’s only what words can say… it was whew!!
First day
was spend together introducing my man to Eiteljjorg Museum and Canal District. It
was great just walking and spending time together.
We left for
Columbus the day after to meet some distant cousins of mine, Ray and his wife
Susan. Both of them are lovely, gracious people with a great sense of humor. We
also met Ray’s mom and dad, Ingrid and Erich. Ingrid is my family tree
connection. She is my Grandmas cousin (Dad’s side). I loved them both and we
shared some family history and pictures. Victor wasn’t feeling too well; I
guess too much chili, cheese and fried food. We stayed one night and after a fabulous
breakfast home cooked by Ingrid we left to get back to Indiana. While my love
rested a bit I started dinner. Sofiya came by to join us for food and
conversation. Great night, despite me hogging Mark’s (Colleen’s husband)
kitchen without giving him the heads up.
On Tuesday
we spend time at the IMoA. They had a free guided tour about landscaping. The
lady who held it was very enthusiastic and knew quite a lot about the old and
new arts. The museum has 100 acres of grounds to walk on and explore, but Vic
and I had already made reservations for a dinner theater. It was gonna be
“Legally Blond”.
The food
was very nice and I loved the first part of the musical. I went to use the
restroom during the break and when I got back, Victor seemed nervous. 5 seconds
later I found out why. He proposed to me. My first sentence was, you just did
not ask me that. And my second one was yes, I will marry you. He gave me a
lovely ring and a big kiss. Somehow the waitress got wind of it and we got
champagne on the house as well as a lovely congratulation over the intercom. The
rest of the show was great.
The next
day we went with Colleen to her High schools to meet with her German students.
Great kids and during the lunch hour we met up with Melinda to have lunch at a
local diner.
For the
evening we returned to Indianapolis to have a little celebration at the”
Rathskeller”, a German restaurant. We left the next morning for California and
I was nervous as hell to meet his family.
After a
little rental car problems, we finally arrived at his parent’s house where we
were welcomed with open arms by Victor’s mom Martha. Everyone was great hugging
me and welcoming me into the family. I felt so blessed.
We had
dinner with Victor’s brother Marco and his wife Deanna. Marco seemed quite and
some of his first words were “So, when are you leaving?” – which he didn’t mean
the way it sounded. He is a actually a good guy.
A week
later the family threw an engagement party for us, with games, gifts and great
food. I was kinda scared to meet more family and Victor’s friends but it turned
out well.
We did some
trips to San Francisco, Six Flags, Oakland, San Jose and Santa Cruz. The later trips
I took with Carolina, one of the cousins. She’s great fun and we seem to have
lot in common.
There’s one
more person who claimed a part of my heart. The nana. Victor’s grandma lives
with the family. She doesn’t know much English and my Spanish is very
non-existent, but we got by surprisingly well. She’s a smart woman who has to
fight everyday just to get out of bed since her husband died last year.
Although she puts up a brave face, you can feel the sadness radiating of her.
The only thing that makes her smile is spending quality time with her family,
every member of the family. I feel proud
that she accepted me as one of her own.
You can
imagine how hard it was for me to go back to Berlin. Home has switched from
Berlin to being with Victor. We’re planning
to get married in June 2013. I am as excited as terrified about what’s ahead,
but this is us making it work.
Love,
A.
