Getting a good review at work
Getting a great project because of aforementioned review
A surprise (champagne and flowers) from the team in advance of our wedding tomorrow
The Ferret and I looking forward to becoming Mr. and Mrs.
The Ferret’s yummy tacos and his enthusiasm at using the new food processor
I’ve seen some mansions and villas in my life. Usually surrounded by a fair piece of land, enough to host a pool, horses, and several cars. Yesterday, the Ferret and I were invited for dinner at the home of a couple we recently met. The directions to their house did not prepare us for what awaited: “Drive up to the gate, we’ll buzz you in, then turn left.”
With family in certain developing nations, again, a gated community is not unusual. So up to the gate we drove, and through it and to the left. And then we drove and drove, through a park, past a lake, and all we could see around us were trees, rolling hills and more trees – oh, and game. The magnitude of the place struck us as out of this world. How could all this be nothing more than someone’s driveway?
As it turns out, we had missed the little white house almost immediately to the left of the gate, and had ventured into the estate of one of Belgium’s richest and most renowned aristocratic families. Our friends are the only renters within the gates and live in what used to be the chauffeur’s mansion.
Unlike the rather crowded gated communities I had seen before, this estate has only five homes on an enormous chunk of land (rolling hills with forest and game!). No less than a dozen gardeners and another dozen housekeeper families take care of the family. I say family, because the people who occupy the estate are all related. When one passes, the next in line moves into the estate. And so on.
I had read about these pharmaceutical giants, but did not understand the true meaning of ‘old money’ until last night. Hearing how they manage their estate, always thinking twenty odd years ahead, is like stepping into the world of a costume drama. But there we were, our eyes wide with amazement. It was nice to feel like that again, like a child, crazy with bewilderment at the riches so well concealed behind those giant walls.
Yesterday one of my best friends got married. My other best friend got married in 2006 and for me it was the oddest sensation back then; myself not being at all close to understanding that sort of commitment yet. The wedding yesterday was surreal in a different way. I’ve known the bride since 1987 and ever since our lives have run in parallel.
With my wedding coming up in 31 days today, again, we seem to be skipping along in sync. Apart from the fact that she is now a mommy of course and I still stay as far away from babies as possible. My favorite part was helping her refresh her make up right before dinner, because that was the only private time I got with the bride – and even then she was whisked away mere minutes later.
My other favorite moment was the bride’s speech. Usually the groom gives the speech and the bride sits quietly smiling at her man. In the true spirit of who my friend is, she stood up with her husband and then did all the talking. What made it beautiful, was when she basically said her vows (not having said them in the standard civil wedding at the city hall) and made half the room cry.
Seeing this public display of affection at its best, I was proud of her and happy for her, and also proud and happy to be able to respond to people: “No, I am not nervous about my impending wedding. In fact, I can hardly wait.”
