Old Love is Better

I have been hearing all about Pappi and Mammi ever since my arrival. They spend the winter months after Christmas in Guadeloupe. Since spring has sprung across Europe, they have made their return. And last night, they joined us for dinner.

I'm not sure what I was expecting... perhaps an image of my own grandparents in their French forms. That's not what I was greeted with. M and Mme Bertrand are both very tall, and look older than I was expecting. Both wear large, thick glasses that magnify sartlingly blue eyes. Kind and talkitive, Pappi and Mammi were ready for a fantastic dinner and some good company. Pappi did most of the talking.

Halfway through the dinner, Manon turned to Pappi and asked him how he met Mammi.

When he was 17 years old, Pappi spent his summer vacation with his married sister in Belgium. One evening, he and his sister went to a local dance club for the evening. And that's the first time he saw her.

Mammi was sitting with her parents and a group of her friends at a nearby table. Every chance he got, Pappi glanced her way. His sister nudged him in the small of his back, telling him that he'd better dance with that girl. Nervously, he went up to Mammi and asked her to dance. She said yes. And they danced the waltz together. 52 years later, they are still supporting eachother through what life brings.

When I imagine this scene in my head, I picture an elegant black and white film. Manon even commented that it was "just like in the moves". Their story of love began so sweetly and so simply. Perhaps everyone wants a beginning like that. And it was obviously a successful beginning with a happy history, continuing to be a story worth hearing.