A son is a son

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A son is a son 'til he takes him a wife;

A daughter's a daughter for all of her life.

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On Friday night, we celebrated Brittany's birthday.

Which was actually yesterday, but she was in Knoxville with her family on the day.

On the afternoon of his wife's birthday, Andrew flew out of Knoxville for Sweden, where he'll fly refueling missions for three weeks.

On Thursday, Brittany will join him there for two of those weeks, because they're newlyweds and don't have children yet, and she has a current passport, and isn't it thrilling?

I can't wait to see pictures (I'm hoping to share a few with you) of the sweethearts schussing the Scandinavian ski slopes, or swanning around snowy Stockholm.

Meanwhile, last Friday evening we all assembled at Sun Ming, our favorite Chinese restaurant. 

We sat at a huge round table -- there were eight of us -- with a lazy Susan in the middle. That thing was three feet across.

Soon the revolving lacquered circle was laden with platters of General Tso's Chicken, Orange Chicken, Chow Steak Kew, Szechuan Beef, and Sesame Chicken.

There were bowls heaped with perfectly-prepared egg fried rice, and plain rice, and steamed broccoli.

I have a serious weakness for these dishes.

Apparently I'm not the Lone Ranger; everyone was chowing down with gusto, and chattering at the same time.

Much of the talk was of TG's and Dagny's adventures at the South Carolina State Fair the night before. Chad and Erica had met them at the fair, so there were many stories.

Like when Dagny fed a kangaroo a carrot, called him a "good boy!" then squatted down to have a look and make sure that "he doesn't have a baby."

There's a video.

She's apparently all clued in to the reproductive habits of marsupials. Don't ask me how.

Dagny had mentioned at least fifteen times that she saw dinosaurs at the fair, augmenting her claim with a pretty decent imitation of a T-Rex. 

(You know: hands up like claws, fierce expression, sound effect like RAAAAAWWWWWgggghhhhhhrrrrr!)

I finally asked why she believed she saw actual dinosaurs at the fair because -- you know -- if they had those, I was thinking I should have gone.

Turns out the prehistoric creatures were impressive animatronics. But still. I question my decision.

(Not really.)

Somewhere in there, I realized that someone (honestly I cannot remember who) was struggling to pronounce a word.

There were fits and starts: Velcr -- Vita -- Vacu -- Vola --

Veni Vidi Vici? No?

Then it happened:

Velociraptor, Andrew (sitting beside me, to my right) said.

Velociraptor, I said.

But we didn't only both say the word; we said it simultaneously.

And not only did we speak in unison; we pronounced the scary extinct creature's name in exactly the same way (correctly) at exactly the same time.

I'm talking each of the five syllables coming out of both of our mouths as if only one were speaking. 

With identical velocity, as it were.

I don't think anyone else even noticed. But Andrew and I did.

A half-beat later, we chuckled -- again, in exactly the same way, at exactly the same time.

His left elbow brushed my right elbow as our shoulders shook with shared mirth.

And that was all there was to it, and it took all of five seconds from start to finish, and it may not seem like anything worth mentioning, because perhaps you had to be there. 

But I was there, and -- 

Well. That's my boy.

He's busy; although his front door is a scant ten miles from mine and we attend the same church, I don't see much of him.

He has a demanding job and also serves in the United States Air Force.

He's got a lovely bride to whom he is devoted, just as she devotes herself to him. As it should be.

But as the meal concluded and we waited for the fortune cookies, I thought of how fortunate I am.

How fortunate we all are.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Monday

Comments

[NanaDiana]

Your son sounds like my youngest son, Ryan. We share such a special bond and say the same thing at the same time sometimes and then crack up...because we both think alike. We are great at making jokes at another family member's expense (doesn't matter who--it changes from moment to moment). It sounds like you have a wonderful family all the way around.
Congrats on the kids skiing and shuffling around in another country. How exciting is that.
And you missed the fair....lol....(me too-a planned miss on my part).

Have a wonderful week, Jenny!!! xo Diana

[Mari]

Sounds like the perfect celebration! Bob and I were also eating Chinese food for supper Friday night. Unfortunately we tried out a new place with a buffet and it was a bust. The buffet was not stocked well (The General Tso's chicken was empty...) It was noisy and the food that was there, was nothing to write home about. So, I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner. We'll go somewhere else next time.
I love that you and Andrew think the same! I knew I liked him!

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... no General Tso's? I'd be devastated! This place is fabulous ... I think I may be addicted to Sun Ming. I agonize over what to get when we go there for takeout! WHEN (not if) you come to see me, Bob and you and TG and I will really tie one on at Sun Ming. That's a promise. xoxo

[Cheryl]

I had Chinese food also Friday, but we take carry out because I like to eat on my own clean table. Plus I can hear what Alan is saying at home :) I didn't like the fried rice or the General Tso. Others are complaining about the food there recently. Maybe it depends on the cook. Probably.

So glad that yours was heavenly since it was a birthday celebration. You should have kissed the cook! Hahaha!

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... Sun Ming is delightful whether eating in or taking out (which is what we usually do since I vastly prefer eating at home). Maybe they'll disappoint me one day but so far, they get an A plus! xoxo

[Sydney]

Aw... I just love that. Son connections are extra special.

[Jennifer]

@Sydney ... you'd know, my friend! ... xoxo to Baby Henry

[sally]

That's ironic but not surprising, Jenny. I've known other mothers and sons having that kind of connection.

Happy belated Birthday to Brittany, and I hope they will have a wonderful time!

xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... not especially ironic but coincidental in an amusing way. And lots of fun, as was celebrating Brittany's birthday with her. xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Diana ... sorry I didn't see your comment at first! My site labeled it as spam for some reason. I don't know why it does that. Andrew and I aren't pranksters but we do think alike on lots of issues. He's a great young man. And I hope he and Brittany won't shuffle on the slopes, but schuss! Haaahaha xoxo

[Barb]

Yes - this is a lovely post, Jenny. I could picture your family enjoying themselves. I could see you and Andrew sharing a private moment. Good Memories being made.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... all the better for being so rare these days! xoxo