First I intended to do a fun gallery for this challenge, a compilation of unexpected moments, but then one specific memory came up and wouldn’t go away, of the time when I was the most surprised in my life.
This April will be six years since I moved to Italy. Not even a month later, on the night before my birthday, amore was late from work without a good reason.
The dinner was waiting for him and I was anxious. I was so new that there was no bestia yet, for another month. I was so new that I didn’t know yet of the website where you can learn of train delays in real time (a bare necessity in Italy). When I finally heard noises outside and went to see, I gave out a little yelp and had to hold on to the gate.
Despite the fact that I fancy myself a bit of a detective, I couldn’t see the slightest sign that something was up. No hush hush, funny looks, strange questions. Amore arranged a visit by my parents together with them, for my birthday, without giving out a single signal. Deadpan, efficient, proactive, that’s him when he wants something. No wonder I am where I am.
And so my parents arrived for a day and two nights, the single biggest surprise and best birthday present of my life. It can be rivalled only by the SMS asking “How would you like to live with me in Tuscany?” but that is another story.
I hope that Leya – who asks for unexpected for this week’s Lens Artists challenge – and everybody won’t mind if I share today’s gallery with my father, no matter that this is a photo challenge and everybody should be posting own photos. All five photos with me in them, including the featured photo, are his and the rest are mine (taken with my first digital camera, a tiny Canon that you can see in one of the photos).
Our only day together started out windy and cold for May in Maremma but the sun showed up when we reached the beach.
And the next day it was two trains for them and about ten hours until Trieste, and then another hour to their home in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Reaching me was not easy but so worth it. Thank you to all three. They return often, about twice a year on average, but you never forget the first one.
For Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, hosted by Leya of To See A World in a Grain of Sand…: Unexpected
What a beautiful birthday present. Amore knows you well.
My parents are coming in April. I’m very excited so I know the feeling.
Great pics. I’d love it too, to live and die by the sea.
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Thank you, Bojana. 🙂 He does. We chatted online for years before meeting, or even seeing each other on cam. I’m glad that your parents are coming! In April everything is so pretty. I wish you have a great time. The sea says hi.
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Sob sob. Give my best to it.
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How marvellously unexpected for you!
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Indeed, Sue! 🙂 This memory will always make me smile.
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Good!
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What a lovely Blog. You parents look really nice!
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Thank you, Gavin. 🙂 They are. The last time they were here, last May, I tired them out with the Tatti doors. 😀 I’ll have to promise them, no more cities of 1000 doors… Hard to do in Italy.
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Good times, good times. Just love surprises. Actually, this is a perfect blog for talking about unexpected!
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Thank you, Perpetua. 🙂 I thought the same. In my life at least!
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Ahhhh, what a wonderful surprise!!!! I can feel your joy! My husband tried to surprise me a couple of times, but he is one of those people who can’t keep a secret. Ha.
Yes, your parents look very nice. You have good genes 😉
Have a wonderful day!
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Hehe, thanks, Helen. It’s sweet, even if their faces show. 🙂 I’ll tell me parents thank you. 😉
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Manja – thank you for sharing an unexpected gem! A lovely story! And you have caught one gem for yourself as well…♥
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Thank you, Leya. 🙂 Which gem for myself do you have in mind? I have a couple… 😉
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Well I was not thinking of Bestia this time…
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😉
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What a lovely,memorable time you spent with your parent in Italy. And, you livig there have been there for 6 years, I envy you! I had a dream of living in Tuscan. 🙂
Thank you for sharing with us, MM!
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Always welcome, Amy, and thank you!
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Great post, Manja! Thanks.
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Always welcome, RX.
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Definitely the best kind of unexpected!! What a fabulous surprise
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Yeah! Thanks, Tina! 🙂 I’m so glad this memory came rolling back just in time.
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All smiles, Manja. All smiles 😀
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Thanks, Joey. 🙂 It was quite memorable.
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Lovely pictures. So happily authentic.
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Thank you, Lucia. 🙂 “Happily authentic” is just the best possible thing to be called. Welcome to my blog.
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I love the ‘statues’ photos. Excellent.
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Thank you, John. Niki de Saint Phalle is heavily represented around here, even though she is French.
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