ONE WEEK!!!!

This picture was taken a few moments before Paco and I were married. Do I look nervous? To be honest, I was...just a little. Not nervous in an Am-I-making-a-big-mistake? kind-of way. Not at all. I'd never been more sure about anything in my life than when I made the decision to marry Paco Torero. That feeling has never changed. No, my nervousness on my wedding day was more of the My-life-is-about-to change-in-a-big-way variety. And it has.

So how did I get through my wedding day jitters? Well, I just held tight to Paco's hand and every worry or concern seemed to fade away. I've never felt more confident, secure, and even empowered than I do when I'm holding my husband's hand. And maybe that's why the past 14+ months have been especially difficult. Even though Paco and I talk every day, sometimes several times a day, it's just not the same when that hand you are aching to clasp onto--the one that lifts you up and gives you strength when you can't seem to find it on your own--is a continent away.

Just the other day Paco said to me. "You know, Tami, I truly believe that together, you and I can achieve whatever dreams and goals we set for ourselves. We can succeed in whatever we set our minds to."

What can I say? Paco IS my other half... My soul mate. He thinks so much like me it's scary at times...and completely wonderful! I'm just so thankful that one week from tonight, on our 15 month anniversary, I will finally be able to reach out, and clasp my husband's hand in mine. And I may never let go.

Stay tuned...

Life Imitating Art?

Oscar Wilde, the 19th-century Irish author once wrote, "Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." Now I'm no philosopher, but to me this is one of those, which-comes-first-the-chicken-or-the-egg type concepts. Either way, over the past few months, as I've enjoyed one of my guilty pleasures--watching DVDs snuggled up in my bed--I've seen how this art/life concept relates to my own existence.

A few weeks ago I watched the movie Meet Joe Black. Early on in the movie, the character William Parrish, brilliantly played by Anthony Hopkins, offers advice to his daughter that struck me with such force--such truth--because at 46 years old, I finally know of what he speaks.

Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.

Paco's return to my life after 28 years has brought with it so many incredible things, but one thing forefront in my mind and heart is a love like none I've ever known--a connection to another human being like nothing I've ever experienced. Okay, I know what you're thinking... You've only been married for a year. True, but I first fell in love with Paco when I was 17 years old. (You can read that story HERE.) We've both lived many years of this life with its ups and downs, and realize the true blessing of this profound and renewed love that we share. What can I say? It feels like we've discovered a buried treasure, and now after so many years, it's resurfaced, refined, and more valuable than ever!

Another "Life Imitating Art" movie I recently watched was Letters to Juliet--definitely on my "favorite movies" list. There were so many similarities I found in this movie to my own life. One part in particular hit so close to home it had me totally, and completely in tears, sobbing like I haven't since the night I was forced to say goodbye to my husband at the Lima airport over a year ago (read THAT story HERE). When Claire, played by Vanessa Redgrave, is finally reunited in the vineyard with her first love, Lorenzo Bartolini, played by Franco Nero, after a 50 year separation, I was completely washed over by a huge wave of emotions--from regret for not writing back to Paco all those years ago after receiving his letter, to gratitude that it only took 28 years for us to reunite, rather than 50, like the couple in the movie. If I wasn't living my own slightly varied version of this story, I'd say, "Only in the movies..."

Just this afternoon Paco posted a comment on one of my Facebook profile pictures. This black and white photo was published in my college yearbook when I was 18, one year after I left Peru the first time. Paco wrote: That's exactly how I met you......JUST BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!...Now I know why I couldn't forget you.....

My reply: You're so sweet!!! And now I know why I couldn't forget you either!

A mutual friend posted a comment after mine--a comment that Paco and I hear all the time when we share our story with others: Awww....your romance is sweet. I love your love story. (I see a book about this in the future.)

Life imitating art? Art imitating life?

Who knows? But if it's ever a book, you better believe that I'll be the one who wrote it! :)

Oh, and only 24 days till Paco's immigration interview!!!!

Stay tuned...

A Perfect Match

I love this picture. I have it framed and sitting on the table next to my bed. It's the last image I see before falling asleep each night, and the first when I wake up.

The picture was taken in Peru last summer, only a few days after we were married. Paco had just returned home from work in his suit and tie, looking, well, delicious is the the word that comes to my mind. While here I am wearing no makeup, a sweat shirt and yoga pants. And yet I think we look great together--a perfect match!

Maybe I'm basing my thoughts on how I felt the moment the picture was taken (and how I still feel to this day--even more so). I'm completely and totally in love with this man. Paco's unconditional love and support allow me to bring a confident individual to our union--something I haven't always been (and honestly, I'm still a work-in-progress...but getting better every day). To sum up my thoughts in the infamous words of Jerry Maguire--he "completes me."

Some may say there are too many strikes against our relationship--different cultures, religions, etc. And yet there are so many other factors that draw us together--some tangable and others not, yet powerful none-the-less. More often than not, we share the same thoughts, dreams, desires, and even words (especially evident--and a little spooky--when we're instant messaging and simultaneously write out the same thought or phrase).

I don't know the secret formula to a successful relationship (and when/if I figure it out, you can believe that I'll either bottle it, or write it out and publish it). I do know, however, that there is so much more involved and required than sharing the same culture and religion (love, honor, and respect, to name a few).

Thanks, Paco, for being you--my other half. My perfect match!

*Note on visa status: The Visa Center will be scheduling the October interviews the second week of September (possibly next week). We're praying to be amongst this batch of interviews. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. We feel so blessed to have such wonderful and supportive family and friends!

My 23 Days in Peru!

*Author's Note: This real-life love story is a continuation. You can catch up by reading the first three installments HERE, and HERE, and HERE!

Think back with me for a minute—your first “hands-free” ride on a roller coaster; your first kiss on a dance floor; your first concert where you knew all the words; your first Robert Redford movie (okay, maybe that one only applies to me and every other middle-age-or-older woman in the universe). But are you feelin’ the love? Have the endorphins started popping?

Now recall the first time you heard the words, “I love you”…with your heart; the first time you looked into your newborn’s eyes…and had your first conversation; the first time you fell to your knees and pleaded with God…and immediately felt His peace… and knew that He was and is aware of every aspect of your life.

Combine these feelings of excitement, exhilaration, love, and total serenity and this was my 23 days in Peru—my reunion with Paco. He was the friend who turned into my boyfriend, who turned into my best friend. He was my first love and 28 years later became my husband and life’s partner. The only piece of the Tami’s Total Contentment Pie missing (a huge piece, actually) was my kids. But I knew that this was the first step needed to complete my “pie.” Once Paco and I were married, I’d return home and start the immigration process for him and his two daughters. All we wanted was to have our not-so-little family together. All we wanted was the opportunity to live our Happily Ever After. We had no idea of the bureaucratic nightmare that lay ahead…and maybe that was a good thing. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. For now, we’ll dwell on my 23 days of bliss...

There were so many great moments in Peru—where do I even start? How about with food and family…and Paco’s tias (aunts). Paco’s mom has about as many sisters as I do (basically, enough to fill your average Catholic convent). So I was totally in my element on day two when I found myself at a dining-room table, surrounded by the tias and heaping plates of pasta. I can’t express enough how much I LOVE these ladies—their beautiful smiles, as well as incredible culinary skills. And even though my ear was dealing with a language famine (I could hardly understand a word spoken until Paco translated), my heart and stomach were quickly filling to capacity!

Other food and family adventures included anticuchos—beef that is marinated, skewered, and grilled. Combine this with picarones (think scones with maple syrup) and you’re in my Peruvian cuisine heaven. On several occasions Paco, his daughters and I, would go out to eat, and this was by far my favorite meal. Enchiladas like none I’ve ever tasted, came in a close second (and for the record, I loved the enchiladas, but they didn’t love me back—‘nuf said)!

Then there were the afternoons while Paco was at work that I spent with the girls—watching Disney channel or cheerleader movies in Spanish (who knew there were so many), roller-blading in the park across the street, polishing finger and toenails, playing with make-up, trying out new hairstyles, eating lunch with Paco’s mom and Tia Chuna, doing homework… Well, it didn’t take long for this mother-of-seven to find a place in her heart for two more. That’s the miracle of motherhood; somehow God allows us to love each of our children one hundred percent. I learned this after the birth of my second baby. All during the pregnancy I thought, Poor little Baby-in-my-Tummy! Tough breaks for you, but how could I possibly love another human being as much as your brother? And then Amber was born. And then I understood. My mother’s heart now runs at nine-hundred percent, and not a day passes that I don’t thank God for His miracles…and the nine beautiful blessings He’s placed in my life and heart!

Another great memory was the night Paco took me out dancing. Now if you know me at all, you know that I love to dance. As a kid, any given Saturday morning could find me and my sisters dancing with the TV tuned to American Bandstand and Soul Train. I also participated in various performing dance teams in high school and college. Basically, if there’s music playing, at the least, my toe is tapping. At the most, well, I’m embarrassing my kids in public places.

However, in my adult life, most of my dancing has been relegated to the kitchen floor—a perfect activity to break up the monotony of scrubbing dried lasagna from a casserole dish or stirring a simmering sauce. So when I found myself on a real dance floor, salsa music filling the air, and handsome Peruvian Love-of-My-Life, shaking his groove-thang at me… Well, let’s just say that if I’d died at that moment, it would have been with every tooth in my mouth exposed. It was the perfect night.

Then there were the moments alone with Paco. What can I say here? Intimacy is so much more than a physical act. It must also involve communication, trust and respect. If you are blessed to find that person in your life to share this with, you are holding a treasure, a gift. Not everyone has this. And far too many people don’t even know what it is, or what it involves. Some search for it their whole lives. Others give up entirely. For me, happiness is synonymous with a committed, intimate relationship. I will never give up on my happiness; therefore, I will forever protect and nurture this treasure I hold, this gift Paco has given me.

The day I left Peru was one of the most difficult days of my life. I knew it was a necessary step to our future happiness—after all; I had to be back in the US to start the visa paperwork. Also, my seven children and grandson were eagerly awaiting my arrival (Allie, my then 7-year-old, made me promise that I’d never, EVER, leave her again). And yet, a huge chunk of my heart would remain in Peru. A heart is a vital organ—THE vital organ! It all felt so literal. How would I survive with half a heart? How long till we’d be together again?

For the second time in my life, I kissed Paco goodbye at the Lima airport. Twenty-eight years earlier, he sent me home wearing a silver necklace inscribed with his name. This time his name was inscribed in a gold wedding band on my finger, on a legal document stating that he was my husband, and forever on my heart. I don’t wish on my worst enemy the anguish I felt as I was forced to say good bye to this Love who had miraculously re-appeared in my life. Tears streamed from both of our eyes. I never wanted the moment to end—never wanted to release my hold on him—and at the same time, never wanted to feel such pain again in my life. The only way to achieve this was to walk through the gate, fly home, and start the visa paperwork.

And so I did.

Stay tuned—there’s more to come!

Moment of Truth

There are profound moments in our lives when clarity and realization wander, hand and hand (or even jump feet first), into our consciousness, causing our perception of reality to shift. Oprah calls it a “light bulb moment.” I call it a moment of truth—a moment when we know our life must change.

One such moment came on August 8^th, 2008. I was sitting in a chapel watching my best girlfriend marry the man of her dreams. I’d been with Chambrey through her divorce, single life and then courtship with Shaun. I saw how much she loved this man, and how happy he made her. He was such a great guy, and their joy was so evident—I could both see and feel it…which made me all-the-more aware of the lack of this emotion (and many others) in my own marriage. I won’t go into further detail on this matter other than to say, it was a moment of truth—a moment when I knew my life must change. I also knew that if it was going to change, I would have to be the one to change it. It took some time, but eventually, I filed for divorce.

Now, why am I telling you this? Because it’s incredible the difference one year can make!

If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to catch up on mine and Paco’s love story by reading about HOW WE FIRST MET IN 1981, and then, HOW WE WERE REUNITED. Technology today is quite amazing! Between Facebook, instant messaging, webcams, and 2-cents-a-minute international phone cards, we were able to rekindle our love for each other, and watch it blossom into one of the most powerful forces either of us has ever felt.

Before I knew it, my flight to Lima was booked for July 28, 2009. Our plan was to get married on August 1, 2009—twenty-eight years to the day from our first kiss (um, yeah…we’re both sentimental). But I’d only have 23 days in Peru before I’d have to head home to my children and my job. We’d start the visa application process as soon as I got home, and voila—they’d be here! Three months tops, right? (HA!)

All along I’d felt so confident of every step Paco and I had made up to this point. But it wasn’t until I was about 30 minutes from landing in Lima that my stomach started churning and my insecurities began to resurface—not so much about the marriage plans that were already set in motion. I’d never felt more sure of my love for another person in my life. No, it was much more basic than that. Be brave and think “junior-high” for a minute, and you’ll be back in my mind just before landing. Will he think I’m cute? Will he LIKE me? Yeah, I know—lame. What can I say? I was nervous!

After landing in Lima I wound through various lines to get through customs and then to get my luggage—it’s hard to even recall the entire process because I was a bundle of nerves. I’m sure the people around me must have thought I was some druggie the way I was popping Altoids, but hey—a girl’s gotta have fresh breath, right?

So I got the green light and was able to pass through security and on to the gate and my awaiting fiancé whom I hadn’t seen face to face in 28 years. No pressure. (EEEEEEEEEK!) I’m sure I popped another Altoid at this point—maybe ten.

If I haven’t mentioned previously, I live in Houston, a culturally diverse atmosphere, so I’m used to being surrounded by people of every color, shape, size, sound, etc. But I’d forgotten what it’s like to be the only pale-skinned blonde in the room; the little white marshmallow in the cup of hot cocoa; the “gringa.” As I passed through the curtained gate, I literally approached a sea of dark hair. How was this marshmallow supposed to find her fiancé? And then I heard his voice…

“Tami! Tami!”

I could hear him, but there were literally hundreds of people crammed behind the roped-off gate I was about to pass. Once through, I was sure I’d be swallowed if I wasn’t holding his hand.

“Tami! Over here!”

And that was when I saw him—handsome, smiling, and bearing a single red rose and a balloon; my Peruvian Knight in Shining Armor; the love of my life; the other half of my heart and soul; my past, present and future. My Paco!

I’m not sure how I looked to him at that moment (bug-eyed, albino opossum about to be smashed by on-coming car comes to mind) but when I saw his face, looked into those brown eyes, and then reached out and clasped his hand, I instantly knew that all was right in my world. I was home, because home was anywhere in this world that we were together. We exchanged a brief kiss (did I mention that we were surrounded by hundreds of people), and then headed out to the car.

Paco’s dad had driven him to the airport and we were supposed to meet him out in the parking lot. But when we got out to the car, he wasn’t there yet. This was our first moment alone together—ironically, the last place Paco had kissed me 28 years earlier. And as things come full circle, I suppose it was fitting that this was the place he would kiss me—really kiss me—28 years later. And, boy howdy, did he ever!

The next week and a half was a whirlwind of wedding preparations and getting to know Paco’s daughters and family. Due to bureaucratic issues (surely a sign of the year to come), our wedding was pushed back a week. We weren’t going to be married on the anniversary of our first kiss, but we were rolling with the punches, and just so happy to finally be together. Paco’s daughters instantly captured my heart, and as I saw him interact with them, I really knew he was the man of my dreams. He’s truly the best father in the world!

Finally the day of our wedding arrived—Auguts 8^th, 2009. I have never felt more at peace or more sure in my life than at that moment as we stood before the judge and Paco’s family and vowed our commitment and love to each other. This was the beginning of the rest of our lives together, and next to the births of my children, this was by far the happiest day of my life.

It wasn’t till a few days later when I received an email from my BFF, Chambrey, that I made an incredible connection.

“You realize, don’t you,” Chambrey wrote, “that you were married on my one-year anniversary—August 8th! Can you believe it?”

No, I hadn’t realized it until that very moment, but I was truly amazed. In one year from when I was sitting in that chapel, having my “moment of truth,” my life had changed in so many ways. I was a new person—happier than ever! But in a little over a week I’d be heading back home to my kids, my job, and a mountain of visa paperwork…and that was okay. I was willing to endure whatever was necessary to have my not-so-little, new family together. My life—and heart—were forever changed and this was my new truth!

Stay tuned—there’s more to come!

Seeds, Songs and Social Networking

Love is like a seed—it grows with nourishment and likewise dies with neglect. Or does it? Now, I’m no horticultural expert, but actually I think a seed can go into some form of hibernation as it waits for the right set of circumstances which will allow it to grow—fertile soil, water, sun, handsome Peruvian gardener, white sandy beach, candle-lit dinner…

Wait a minute. Now where exactly was I going with this? Oh yeah—Love is like a seed.

If you’ve read my previous blog, you learned that in 1981, while on a summer foreign exchange program in Peru, a certain young man planted a “seed of love” in the heart of this California girl. And even though I got caught up in my senior year of high school and didn’t respond to his letter (something I’ll forever regret), I never forgot Paco, my handsome Peruvian boyfriend. Any time I thought of my summer abroad, there was always a certain tug at my heart where he left an undeniable impression.

But life goes on…

Paco and I each had many life experiences after our summer together—some great, some not-so-great, but always shaping us into the individuals we are today. We married others, had children (9 total) and subsequently divorced. We both agree that these children from our previous marriages definitely fall into the “great” life experiences category (we’ll leave the “not-so-great” up to your imagination). And while we were busy collecting these life experiences, we occasionally thought of each other.

Paco recalls an instance with a few friends where they where playing a little game of sorts—they’d let the ash of a cigarette fall into their hand and then make a fist. When the hand opened, a letter was revealed, formed from the ash. It was supposed to have some sort of meaning. When Paco opened his hand, the ash had formed the letter “T”. All of his friends said, “T for Torero.” But he replied, “No, T for Tami—my first love.”

After twenty-eight years apart, little did either of us know that our relationship was about to come full circle…and once again we were brought together by Carlos, my Peruvian brother and Paco’s childhood friend (although both times Carlos had no clue of his role as “cupid”). This time, however, modern technology played a huge role—more specifically, social networking, or Facebook. Carlos had moved to the US twenty-five years earlier, so when Paco received a friend request from him, he was thrilled. The first thing he asked Carlos was, “Have you heard from Tami?” Since I’d recently been in touch with Carlos’ parents, he was able to fill Paco in a little on my life.

A week later, I received a friend request from Carlos. Now, as much as I adore my Peruvian brother, I’ll be perfectly honest here—before I even checked out his pictures and information posted on Facebook, I clicked on his “friends” link. I had to know if Paco was one of his Facebook friends. And that was when I saw that familiar, still very handsome face. He was definitely older, but, well, some things just get better with age—Paco is no exception.

I can hardly describe how I felt at that moment—nervous, excited, and anxious all rolled into one. I really wanted to contact him but would he even remember me? It had been twenty-eight years since our last contact. And then there was the letter I never responded to. Maybe he thought I was a total jerk! I decided to sleep on it, but the next day I knew exactly what I wanted to do and sent Paco the friend request. What the heck, right? I mean, what could possibly happen anyway? He still lived a million miles away in Peru!

As Paco tells the story, he saw a friend request from Tamra Norton (my name the previous 24 years ) and thought, Who the heck is Tamra Norton? Just before he was about to hit delete, he decided to check out the picture of this Tamra Norton person. It was a middle-age blond lady, but as he took a closer look, he instantly recognized my eyes. It’s Tami! he thought, and immediately accepted my friend request accompanied by the first of many emails that we exchanged.

What can I say? It didn’t take long at all to fall back in love with Paco. He was, and is, the other half of my heart and soul. I’ve never felt so connected to another human being as I am with him. One of the many connections we share is our love of music. Over the course of our relationship we often send each other music videos or songs on Facebook. Early on, Paco sent me a song by Jose Feliciano called, I Wanna Be Where You Are. The lyrics go something like this:

Can it be I stayed away too long
and did I leave your mind when I was gone?
It’s not my thing trying to get back.
Darlin’ let me tell you where I’m at.

You don’t have to worry ‘cause I’m coming
back to where I always should have stayed.
Now I’ve learned the meaning to your story, Mama,
and there’s enough love for me to stay.

Please don’t close the door to our future.
There’s so many things we haven’t tried.
I will love you better than I used to
and give you all the love I have inside,

I wanna be where you are...

The first time I heard this song, tears filled my eyes. It was a defining moment in our relationship, because it was at that moment I knew Paco was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But he was in Peru, raising his 2 daughters and I lived in Houston, the 4 youngest of my 7 children still at home. How could we bring our two families together? As an American citizen I could go to Peru any time I wanted to—no visa required. But we knew from the beginning that since I couldn’t move my children to Peru because of custody issues with their father, the only solution was for him and his 2 daughters to come here. All they needed to enter our boarders was a visa—simple right? I spent hours on the internet researching visas, trying to figure out how to get them here. This was not going to be easy.

After much discussion on the matter, one evening I received the following email from Paco:

You know how can I get a visa ????? I already know, simple, and charming, if I were in front of you, I will have to be on my knees, and asking you: WILL YOU MARRY ME, MY BEAUTIFUL AND NEVER FORGOTTEN FIRST LOVE OF MY LIFE. Then if you honored me saying yes, we get married and from this time I have to wait a few months and I will get my green card as an American legal resident, and after five years I can apply for American citizenship.

So, let's think about it, so well, I don't want to push you, I want you to be sure, more sure than you've ever been in your whole life, cause I think if we take this step it'll be forever, I want someone that get older with me, that talks to me, that makes me feel happy to get back home after my job, knowing that she is there, with a big smile, waiting for me.

Maybe I'm just a dreamer, but I think that when you love someone, you have to live, for making this special person's life as happy as you can. respect her, take care about her, supporting her in her sad days, understand she is human, and also can make mistakes, I just want to be happy, and make my whole family, that includes you and your kids, no hurting anyone, and being honest with you.

I think I wake up a little philos today, but sometimes ....no....... always...thst's it always..... we have to open our heart and soul and tell all that we keep inside.

Have a nice day Blondie.

So that was it—we were engaged! But we were still a “million” miles apart. The amazing thing about love, however, is that it gives you hope and strength…and that’s exactly what we were going to need for what lay ahead of us.

Stay tuned. There’s so much more to come!

An Immigration Love Story

Last August I married Paco—the love of my life, my soul mate, my other half, and a million-and-one other clichés that make cynics roll their eyes or shove their fingers down their throats—and after twenty-three blissful days of togetherness, we’ve been separated ever since. Not by choice, but because in order to live our “happily ever after,” we need to live in the same country (sharing the same tube of toothpaste and bed would be nice too). Moving myself and my seven children to Peru wasn’t an option, and since Paco has had custody of his two daughters the majority of their lives, we chose to have them immigrate here to The United States.

Easier said than done!

This has definitely been the longest and most difficult year of my life dealing with this whole immigration nightmare. But it’s almost over! (Do I hear a hallelujah?!) Hopefully before summer’s end and maybe before our one year anniversary—please, oh please, oh puh-leeeeze, Heavenly Father, Uncle Sam, and the Powers That Be at USCIS, let it be before our one-year-anniversary!—our not-so-little family will finally be together.

And the fun begins!

Paco and I have no delusions that we are creating some multicultural fairytale to be set in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. We knew from the beginning that we would have our challenges. (By the way, neither of us is a stranger to challenge, and hello…this first year of marriage has been nothing but a challenge!) But I’m an optimist, a dreamer, a believer, and an achiever—I have to be. Thankfully, so is Paco. Sure we’ll have our bumps and lumps as we combine our two families, two languages, two cultures, two religions, and the list goes on... But we have one heart, and with this heart (which is bigger than the state of Texas) we will take on each challenge and whup its sorry tail! Just sayin’.

And you can watch us… Or read about it, anyway, in this blog.

Introducing the cast:

Me: Tami—also known to the cast as Mom, Mommy, Mommy Tami, and Gringa (a term of endearment Paco gave me 29 years ago (and that story is coming)—thus, Mommy Gringa. I gave birth to 7 children from a previous marriage, and thank God every day for those 7 and the 2 bonus daughters I’ve been blessed with. I love writing, reading, dancing, Raisin Bran, diet Coke and dark chocolate. Would love to play drums in a rock band some day…with Lenny Kravitz and Prince on guitar, and Michael Buble and/or Paul McCartney on lead vocals. Hey…why not?

Paco: Love of my life, my handsome husband, and my boyfriend 29 years ago when I was an exchange student in Peru (summer of ’81). Father to 2 beautiful daughters, and insurance executive. “People Person” extraordinaire. Loves soccer, ‘80s music, soccer, action movies, soccer, dancing, and soccer (or should I say, futbol?).

Adult Children: (They come and go from home but are always in our hearts.)

Preston: the writer, a.k.a. The British Guy (because apparently he looks like one).

Amber: mother of my grandkittens. (Both Preston and Amber are in their last year of college).

Lexi: mother of Tristan, a.k.a. Mr. Twister, and responsible for making us grandparents at a much-too-young age!

Josh: Muscle Guy! Starting community college in the fall.

Teens/Pre-Teens:

Tommy: Piano Man and Ladies Man-in-Training—Oy!

Mafe: Total Latin Beauty! She also speaks and understands quite a bit of English.

Spencer: Our funny guy!

The “Twins”:

Maki and Allie—Amazing, we know, but somehow Paco and I produced “twins.” They’re 10 months apart in age and speak different languages, but look and act so much alike—really!. We can’t wait till these two are actually in the same room together. Our bet is that they’ll create their own language…and maybe even drive us all crazy.

There’s much more to come, so stay tuned…