This is the room that I fell in love with. The big window, the fire place, the arched doorways, the hardwood floors. It looks amazing at Christmas too.Originally, I wasn't going to have a television in here, but when "My Brazilian" lived here, she wasn't too keen on the basement, so we added a small TV. Someone gifted me a larger one recently, so that's that. I have to admit, it's been nice ~ a beautiful roaring fire, watching tv.
There are tons of memories in this room. From the Brazilian's request to have a television in here to the fact that one of "My Germans" wouldn't sit on the leather furniture when he came to visit because it was new/different and refused to acknowledge it was here.
I'd have to say that the memory that trumps them all includes both the Brazilian, and two on my Germans. I had volunteered to work "Late Night" at work. This meant that I got home @ 8:15 versus the normal 5:30 ish. It was January 2nd or 3rd and the girls had called a couple of time to see when I'd be home. Little did I know that one of my Germans came back to surprise me! He went to Las Vegas for New Years and decided to stop in South Bend to visit me for a day before flying home via Chicago. It was one of, if not THE most amazing gifts I have ever received. I was able to take the afternoon off the next day & surprise him too. Originally, he was going to spend the day getting things to take back, we'd meet for lunch, then I would take him to the train. Instead, I drove him up to Chicago and we spent the afternoon & evening together.
I know I speak of "My Foreigners" often in these blogs, especially the ones relating to the house. It's important to understand who these people are. Quite simply, they are family. Not the kind I am biologically bound to, but almost better ~ they are family that we made. My Brazilian is all heart. She is a mother bird that knows how to give tough love in a compassionate way. "My Germans" - there are a few. The original dates back to 1989, Charlotte "Tina", from Hamburg. Sadly, I have lost touch with her. She had a tough re-assimilation. Last I heard, she was going to go to the Middle East to help liberate women... Then there was my self declared "SGB - sexy German boy". Our story is much more complex and not one that I am willing to share here. Suffice it to say that he & I went through some interestingly tough times which solidified our bond as brother & sister. My love for him is limitless. He was here in 1996. The next 4 Germans are more recent and all lived here in this home. 2 are incredibly close, have become family. One is very much in my heart, but sadly she & I aren't as close as the others. The last one, well...she was asked to move out. She's not worth talking about here.
While she was here, one of the other Germans joined us (she was jealous of him, part of the reason she was asked to leave). He is incredibly gorgeous. Seriously. The 1st thing I said to him was that he better not be a jerk because if I ever had a kid, I wanted to name him the same name ~ and I didn't want him to ruin it. Within a week, I had fallen head-over-heals in love with him. No, not in that way. He reminded me so much of my SGB. He became a brother too. The kindest thing he said to me was right before he left. He said that he never expected to gain a sister when he came to the US. My heart swelled. Interestingly, his actual initials ARE SGB!
Right before he left, another German arrived. And boy did she! If the Brazilian is the heart, this German is the Spirit. She talks faster than me. Her English is impeccable. Her body is unbelievable! She still lives here in the US. I should see her more, but we know how that goes.
When the 2nd SGB left, me & my girls (I often refer to the Brazilian and the German as "my girls") also had another German. She was very sweet. Younger than the others and her boyfriend was in Detroit, so we didn't see her as much, but she was as sweet as can be and very much part of my International Family.
I sure hope that the new owners of this home appreciate all the culture and love that was shared within these walls.
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