Tanya celebrated her birthday yesterday as we hosted a party for 14 people at the Sweet House Restaurant. It was wonderful to see friends and relatives I had not seen for two years. A great deal of food and drink was consumed over 3 hours and a good time was had by all.
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| Sweet House serves wonderful food and has awesome desserts which we were too full to eat. |
For those not familiar with Ukrainian customs I will attempt to explain what I have learned around birthdays.
1. The birthday celebrant throws the party. People informed Tanya they were coming for her birthday so we decided better to go out to eat than try to feed them here. No preparation and no dishes to wash. Total cost including drinks about $200 CAD ($150 USD). We were still exhausted.
2. Flowers are a must, for male or female. Even if you have a yard full of flowers. Plants are also welcome and last longer. Gifts are also in order, usually small, possibly personal. (I'm getting Tanya a new large refrigerator as ours is old and too small. Not very romantic but she told me that is what she wants. When we go on holidays will be time to buy her perfume in the duty-free shops.)
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| Our long-time friends from P'yatikhatki, Valya and Volodya |
3. Toasts to the birthday person are the order of the day. One says nice things about the celebrant and wishes them good things for the future. (Consuming alcohol without toasting, whether in Ukraine or Russia, is a sign of alcoholism. This includes pouring yourself a drink at the end of the day. You can get totally wasted every day so long as one is toasting one's friends. Beer or wine is OK to drink without toasting but vodka or other hard liquor never).
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| Tanya toasting Tanya |
This is all surface stuff, the visible part of the iceberg. Getting to know the depth of Ukrainian culture as an outsider takes more than a lifetime. I love it and I love my Tanya.
The best wishes to Tanya, and to you also. I understand loving a woman unconditionally. We don't understand how short life is and how fast time moves. You are a fortunate man. Enjoy
ReplyDeletethe Ol'Buzzard
I am indeed a fortunate man. Tanya nursed me for two years. I hope we both get a few years trouble free.
DeleteWhat a lovely description of a super birthday celebration. Tanya.... I wish you a very happy (rather late) birthday, and I'm sure the best birthday present was to get the ol' man back home!!!! Enjoy the new fridge.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I will pass it along to Tanya.
DeleteLooks like a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was
DeleteBelated happy birthday to your lovely wife. How wonderful to have the chance to get together with friends and relatives after being away for so long.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get a chance to comment on your last post, but that sounds like a very long and tiring journey. I didn't realize you were gone for two years. That's a long time. I'm glad you're back to health; long may it continue.
P. S. After reading my published comment, I can see that if there was a prize for overuse of the word "long" I'd probably win it - erk
ReplyDeleteOver use of a good word is a common ailment. I have it too
DeleteBelated birthday wishes to Tanya! It certainly sounds like a happy birthday, and I'm sure it was made better by your presence after your long time away!
ReplyDeleteI was glad to be home. Missed the big bash last year for her 60th.
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