3 teenagers, 6 days, 5 nights

They've just left--my friends from Belgium.  I met them via my husband.  I was on a business trip in Europe when I first met the husband and later in the states I met his wife.  There were several of us wives in San Diego that year.  We had a blast.  We shopped all day while the guys worked and then in the evenings we would all go out to dinner.  I love meeting people from other countries.  I love to hear all about their culture, their religious beliefs, their families--and with most of them, I become close friends.

Such is the case with my good friend from Belgium.  I knew from the minute I met her that we would be friends for life.  She's actually an American who moved to Europe after she met her Dutch husband.  She's lived there for over 20 years now and her children were born there.  We've gone over to Belgium on business a few times now and when we were there I was able to visit her and meet her children.

And it's them I really want to write about.  They seemed to have wormed their way into my heart--all 3 of them--half American, half Dutch, and very European.  I met them for the first time 5 years ago.  They are now all teenagers.  The girl is 14, and the 2 boys are 16 and 18.

When they first arrived last week they were all very shy, very proper, well-spoken and polite--for a few hours anyway.  But I did my best to make them feel at home.  I am after all a grandmother.  And even though I am only 10 years older than their mom, I think I came off as an older--more grandma type to them.  Only--a fun grandma who acts silly and loves to laugh.

We spent several days shopping--everything from outlets to the Magnificent Mile.  I took them wherever they wanted to go.  American brands were the hot ticket item.  They had been saving up their spending money for this vacation.  I showed them a few sights in the burbs but I think the highlight of their trip was going to downtown Chicago.  We did a little more shopping, rode the water taxis and also went to Navy Pier.

I hope that they had a good time.  I know I did.  It was a real joy to spend time with this Belgium family.  Being with teenagers brought back memories for me that had been stored away.  I loved watching them play with my dog, I loved hearing them laugh (and boy did we laugh a lot), make jokes, tease, show me youtube videos, I loved going shopping with them and hearing them exclaim over American fashion, I loved watching their excitement over free soda refills and even loved hearing them argue periodically.

Kids are kids.  It doesn't matter where they are from.  They are loving, kind, and full of hope and excitement for the future.  They like shopping, riding in convertibles and most of all they seemed to like me.  I miss them, my dog misses them.  My house seems too quiet now.  I really hope they come back soon.  Before, you know...before they grow up.