I'm Susan — devout Francophile, mother of twins, writer, creative director, and aspiring author. I've been sharing my life here since 2010...thanks for reading!
We had some excellent quality time as a family this weekend. With Billy and I both not feeling 100%, we've been in the house a lot, so we were in desperate need of some good ole sunshine. While Mr. Fleurishing worked on the yard, we watched (ha) and played in the grass. Our backyard is very private-it's like our own little park. A weekend of unplanned, quiet perfection.
I am a mommy. It might not be to a human, but my heart is filled with love just the same. This little guy has taught me patience, selflessness, and unconditional love. I would do anything for him. When I am not with him it feels as if I forgot something. I stare at him for hours, and I never tire of his cuteness. We cuddle-he lays his head on my chest and falls asleep. He relies on me for so much, and I plan my schedule around him. I stay up with him when he is sick, and it makes me feel ill myself when he is hurting. I take ten thousand photos of him and show them to anyone and everyone. I delight in his happiness and content. I excitedly await the day that I become a mother to a child (and Billy becomes a brother), but for now…this feels just the same. I am grateful for and cherish every moment we are given.
Two years ago today, my greatest hope became a reality when I married my best friend. It was a beautiful spring day, and after just a few drops of rain during our garden ceremony, the sun beamed through the clouds. The French have a saying…”Mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux”. It means, “rainy wedding, happy marriage”. I would like to report that it is not a myth! Our love continues to grow…we never imagined we would be more in love now…it’s extraordinary.
I just realized, after almost a year of blogging, that I haven’t introduced my brother, Christopher. He is at least half responsible for my francophilia…because, well…he IS French! To make a long story short, my father met his first wife while stationed in France and had my brother. Technically speaking, we are “half” siblings, but don’t think of each other that way. We have a 13 year age difference – when I was little he would send me care packages, which fed my love of all things French. I cried when I heard his voice for the first time in 2000, and when we finally met in 2002 I REALLY cried.
There is something inexplicable about looking into someone else’s eyes and seeing your own. I know those who have siblings understand, but imagine seeing them for the first time when you are 22. We look so much alike-it’s like there were no mothers involved at all! We have built a strong bond over the years, and for my wedding in 2009 we pulled off the biggest surprise for our father…he had no idea he was coming, and it was the first time we were all together. I met his lovely partner Isabelle and got to know my beautiful niece Elisabeth even better. As of TODAY, I am a “tante” again to a baby boy, Eliott! I hope to meet him soon, but for now, I’m sending him a lot of love from the states.
Hello everyone! We are climbing out from under the boxes and renovation debris…thank you for your patience while I get back to my regular programming…pun intended, as we now have cable and internet again, whew. Don’t get me wrong-it’s wonderful to be unplugged for a bit, but five days is pushing it for me. I feel so out of touch! Fun posts to follow…